Southern California Woman Escapes Burning Uber on Way to JFK Airport

Erin Sloan recounts harrowing experience as her Uber shuttle burst into flames on the highway

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:57pm

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Erin Sloan, a passenger in an Uber shuttle headed to JFK Airport in New York, was able to escape the vehicle before it burst into flames on the highway. Sloan said she started feeling something hot under her seat, and soon after the cabin filled with smoke, prompting the driver to pull over. As the group evacuated with the help of an off-duty officer, the vehicle continued to reignite, leaving it reduced to a metal frame.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about the safety and maintenance of rideshare vehicles, as well as the responsiveness of companies like Uber when such emergencies occur. It also highlights the potential dangers passengers can face when relying on these services for transportation, especially for long-distance travel.

The details

Sloan said she was in an Uber shuttle with seven other passengers headed to JFK Airport when she heard something fall from under the vehicle. Soon after, she started feeling heat from under her seat, and the cabin began filling with smoke. The driver pulled over, and as the group evacuated with the help of an off-duty officer, the vehicle continued to reignite, with glass exploding and thick black smoke filling the area. Sloan said Uber's initial response was unsatisfactory, and it wasn't until she posted a video on social media that the company reached out.

  • On March 27, 2026, Erin Sloan was traveling in an Uber shuttle to JFK Airport.
  • During the trip, Sloan started feeling something hot from under her seat.

The players

Erin Sloan

A passenger in the Uber shuttle who was able to escape the vehicle before it burst into flames.

Uber

The rideshare company that provided the shuttle service Sloan was using to travel to JFK Airport.

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What they’re saying

“Halfway through the trip, I felt something underneath me fall, then further down something else fell off and then something huge fell off.”

— Erin Sloan, Uber Passenger

“They would get it extinguished, and it would blow back up again.”

— Erin Sloan, Uber Passenger

“Their initial response was, 'Thank you so much for letting us know. We're going to look into this and we hope you have safer rides,' like no guys, I fled a flaming car and ran across the freeway.”

— Erin Sloan, Uber Passenger

What’s next

Uber has not yet provided a statement on the incident, and it is unclear if they will take any further action to investigate the cause of the vehicle fire or improve safety protocols for their shuttle services.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of rideshare companies prioritizing passenger safety and being responsive when emergencies occur. It also raises questions about the maintenance and oversight of vehicles used in these services, especially for long-distance travel.