Imagine this. You just moved into your first new apartment. Parking is tricky in Los Angeles, but luckily your one bedroom comes with a parking space. Now imagine being told that you have to park your car in some remote area away from buildings and civilization instead.
With electric vehicle sales growing at an exponential rate, comes the increased risk of unprovoked car fires.
Recalls and “park outside” orders
Recent car fire-related concerns have led automakers to suggest that owners of Chrysler Pacificas and other vehicles should park away from buildings. Some parking structures even banned Chevy Bolt drivers from parking in their structures.
Just when you thought you were saving the planet with your EV and PHEV—turns out they pose a massive safety risk to humanity. Several alternative energy vehicles have been recalled, which includes a “park outside” order. To comply, owners must keep their vehicles away from parking structures, garages, and buildings.
The order was issued because of a higher-than-acceptable risk of battery packs igniting, even when the EVs and PHEVs are not running. The use of new batteries has definitely contributed to the rise in car fire incidents.
Automakers also advise against overcharging your vehicle and suggest using gasoline (solely) for your PHEV for the time being.
Is your vehicle at risk of car fire?
The latest “park outside” recalls have been issued to 17,000 Chrysler Pacifica PHEVs from 2017 and 2018. Unfortunately, at least 31 similar recall orders have been cited by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) involving over three million hybrids and EVs. And 60% of orders have been issued in the last two years.
Other vehicles with “park outside” orders include the Ford Expedition and the Chevy Bolt. Car fires are no stranger to the Chevy Bolt
. The Bolt was also recalled in 2020 due to battery pack car fire reports. Ford Motor Company added the Lincoln Navigator SUV to the company's list of recalls
after various combustion issues when the vehicle was off and parked. In fact, 16 incidents involved a car fire that originated under the hood. Ford attributed the safety problem to “printed circuit boards that are uniquely susceptible to a high-current short and the risk of catching fire,” according to The Wall Street Journal
. In May, the American carmaker expanded the recall to 27,000 more Navigators and Expeditions. Parts are expected to be available in September. If your vehicle is recalled, you should get a notification from your manufacturer. If you receive a notice in the mail or otherwise, take your car to a certified service center specific to your vehicle. Though Chevrolet has started to replace defective Bolt battery packs, many automakers haven’t been able to immediately rectify the situation.
In unique circumstances where customers are unable to obey the advisory, they should get in touch with their dealer directly. A spokesman from Ford said drivers may be eligible for a free rental car.
To make sure you didn’t miss a notification, you can look up your VIN number on the NHTSA website
. The site’s recall tool can help verify your vehicle’s recall status. Protect yourself from the unexpected
In the case of an unexpected safety problem with your vehicle, make sure you and your loved ones are protected. Excellent car insurance doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Did you know most Americans overpay for the policy every month?
If you want cheap car insurance quotes fast, just download the Jerry
super app. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and will even help you cancel your old policy. Jerry drivers save an average of $800+ per month. 
4.7
