VW van in flames: technical defect endangers driver!

VW van in flames: technical defect endangers driver!

At dusk on July 12, 2025, there was a spectacular vehicle fire on the B27 near Dußlingen, which luckily resulted in no injuries. A 46-year-old driver was driving his VW Crafter from Tübingen towards Balingen when he noticed technical problems. He decided to leave the motorway at the Dußlingen exit to clarify the situation. But in a curve where you can no longer reduce the speed so easily, bad luck struck and the transporter burst into flames. According to reports from SWP, the fire broke out around 6:25 p.m. and could only be extinguished through the courageous intervention of five fire engines and a total of 21 emergency services.

The driver's cab of the transporter burned out completely and the vehicle was no longer roadworthy. The material damage amounts to around 8,000 euros to the vehicle itself, while an additional around 20,000 euros is estimated for the road and the guardrail. During the extinguishing work there were significant traffic delays, which temporarily closed the Dußlingen exit. The investigation confirmed that a technical defect was the cause of the fire, with mechanical experts stressing that such defects can often be caused by improper maintenance or overheated parts. According to Boronin, a renowned expert, car fires can also be caused by other factors such as marten damage or overheating of brakes.

Causes of vehicle fires

The incident highlights the importance of regular maintenance. Mechanical defects that lead to flying sparks or short circuits in the electrical system are often the main cause of car fires. Vehicles are particularly at risk if they have damage to the fuel or lubricant system or if unburned fuel gets into the catalytic converter. What many people may not know is that overheating due to forgetting the brakes or leaking fuel can also lead to a fire hazard.

You should also keep in mind the importance of partial comprehensive insurance. This usually covers fire damage caused by a short circuit or vandalism and can even reimburse the replacement value of the vehicle in the event of a total loss. This way you stay on the safe side if the fire strikes even after the best prevention measures have been taken.

The risk of fire from vehicles

Statista's data analysis shows that the assessment of the fire risk of cars depends heavily on the type of drive. The DEVK survey, published in November 2021, highlights which types of drive are considered particularly risky. Statistics show that vehicles with certain drive systems are more likely to catch fire than others.

Overall, the incident on the B27 was fortunately survived unscathed; the driver remained uninjured and was able to escape in time. Nevertheless, this incident must be seen as a warning that technical defects can quickly lead to dangerous situations. Regular maintenance is the be-all and end-all for road safety and helps ensure that “nothing burns out”.