A British woman has described to the BBC how her recently purchased crossover burst into flames without warning, leaving her shaken and demanding answers just 12 days after driving it home. Twelve days.
According to the BBC report, 29-year-old Sian Crooks said she was on her way home when the engine of her Kia Stonic suddenly lost power before becoming engulfed in smoke and fire.
The vehicle had been bought used for £9,000 (approximately $12,300) from Motorzone Northwest in Blackpool and was still within Kia’s seven-year manufacturer warranty, with 53,000 miles on the odometer.
Crooks told the BBC that the ordeal unfolded in less than a minute.
She said she had experienced no prior issues with the vehicle. But while driving home from visiting her grandmother, the car abruptly began to fail.
“I lost all power,” she told the outlet. About 20 seconds later, an amber engine warning light illuminated on the dashboard. Within another 30 seconds, she said, the vehicle had completely stalled, and flames were rising from the engine bay.
“Everything filled with black smoke and the engine just went up,” she said.
The Terrifying Escape
Photos shared with the BBC show a white Stonic stopped near a residential road, flames climbing toward the windshield and thick smoke pouring from beneath the hood. Additional images reveal a charred engine compartment, blackened components and a warped hood bent by intense heat.
Crooks said she was fortunate the road was not busy when the vehicle failed. She was able to steer onto a side street before exiting the car. Her 19-week-old red Labrador puppy, Bowie, was also inside at the time. Neither was injured.
Still, the emotional impact was significant.
“I was terrified,” she told the BBC. “I had to get my mum to come out of work. I was crying to her on the phone.”
The fire was later put out by firefighters and the car removed to a recovery yard, where Crooks says it remains. She told the BBC that no formal investigation has yet taken place and that she is now caught between the selling garage and her insurance company while seeking resolution.
“Everyone’s expecting me to foot the bill for the car that blew up 12 days after I bought it,” she said.
Dealer Warranty, Kia’s Response, and a Lot of Unanswered Questions
Crooks’ ill-fated Stonic came with a six-month warranty from the independent dealer. The day she took the car; the dealership informed her about a known issue with the parking sensors and was told repairs would be arranged. She did not report any engine related concerns before the fire.
At press time, the family-owned dealership on Palmer Ave has not responded publicly to the BBC’s requests for comment.
In a statement provided to the BBC, Kia said it could not comment on the specific cause because the case is ongoing, adding that there are no recalls applicable to either the vehicle in question or the Stonic model line.
Kia also noted that the vehicle had been purchased outside of its official dealer network, which limits the manufacturer’s access to its service history. The company said it is working with the owner to obtain a full account of the incident as well as documentation relating to servicing and repairs.
Motorzone Northwest specialize in selling hand-picked, quality pre-owned cars ranging from affordable runabouts to high-end prestige vehicles. The dealership also offers services such as finance options, part exchange, MOTs, servicing, warranties, and vehicle sourcing.
She’s Still Waiting for Answers
While car fires are statistically rare, they often raise immediate questions about maintenance history, prior repairs and potential mechanical or electrical faults.
For Americans wondering what sort of car burns to cinders barely two weeks after purchase, it is worth noting that the Kia Stonic is primarily sold in international markets and is not part of Kia’s current US lineup.
For Crooks, however, the focus is less on statistics and more on accountability.
Her story, as told to the BBC, underscores the anxiety that can follow a catastrophic mechanical failure, especially so soon after purchase. With the vehicle still sitting in storage and liability unresolved, she says she is simply looking for clarity and a fair outcome.
For now, the cause of the fire remains undetermined.
Sources: BBC