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Toyota Catches Fire on Highway and the Brand Refuses to Cover the Incident, Claiming Speed and Inadequate Tires. Toyota’s Decision Raises Questions About Automotive Safety and Responsibility.
A Toyota GR Corolla caught fire on a highway, with the fire starting in the engine and completely destroying the vehicle. The brand attributed the incident to speeding and the tires used by the driver.
The incident occurred in the United States and dashcam footage shows the car traveling at 137 km/h when the fire began, forcing the driver to pull over to the shoulder.
The situation was worsened by the lack of a fire extinguisher, which is not mandatory in the U.S. The driver exited the vehicle, opened the hood, and saw the fire beginning. With no options, he grabbed his backpack and moved away, calling emergency service 911, which arrived within five minutes.
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Initially, the fire appears to have started in the engine, possibly due to a manufacturing or maintenance failure, as the driver had made repairs to the fuel system and changed the oil a month prior. However, upon contacting Toyota to claim the warranty, he received an unexpected response.
Toyota refused to cover the incident, stating that the driver was traveling at 137 km/h with tires designed for up to 136 km/h. Typically, regular tires can operate between 180 and 190 km/h, while winter tires can handle up to 160 km/h. This discrepancy raises questions about the true cause of the fire and Toyota’s decision.
The brand stated that “speeding with limited tires was the reason for the denial of warranty for the burned GR Corolla.” Toyota sent a statement to the owner detailing its observations and the decision:
“You reported that you were driving on a highway when you noticed a strange noise. The oil temperature was high and the vehicle emitted a warning sound. You pulled over, exited the vehicle, opened the hood, and saw fire in the rear of the engine. 911 was called and the fire department arrived approximately 5 minutes later to put out the flames. Approximately 30 days before the incident, you took the vehicle to a Toyota dealership for an oil change and a fuel issue was repaired,” the company said.
According to reports, Toyota conducted an inspection of the vehicle on June 24, 2024. The report noted fire damage to the front and engine compartment. Oil residues were also found in the turbocharger, the bottom of the engine, the chassis, and the exhaust pipes.
“The owner’s manual warns against driving above the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit allows it, do not drive above 85 mph (136 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed tires,” the company stated.
“Driving above 85 mph (136 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control, and possible injuries. Be sure to check with a tire dealer to determine if your vehicle’s tires are high-speed tires before driving at these speeds,” Toyota added.
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