About Mail Truck Fires
I was a rural carrier with the USPS for 30 years. I retired in 2022.
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USPS mail trucks, specifically the iconic Grumman Long Life Vehicles (LLVs), have been catching fire at an alarming rate for years.
We have been tracking these fires since 2014. Keep in mind, we can only report the ones we find online, or those that are reported by postal employees.
- Frequency and Scale: Since 2014, more than 400 LLVs have been damaged or destroyed by fire—roughly one every five days.
- Aging Fleet: These vehicles were produced between 1986 and 1994 with an expected 24-year lifespan. Most are now well over 30 years old, far exceeding their intended service life.
- Common Causes: Investigations by Vice Motherboard cited a range of issues including faulty fuel pumps, electrical issues in dashboards, and engine compartment failures. Poor maintenance of aging parts is often cited as a contributing factor.
- Impact on Mail: While carriers often attempt to save mail from the flames, it is frequently destroyed. The USPS typically contacts affected residents by mail to explain how to file a claim for insured items.
To mitigate these risks, the USPS has begun a multi-billion dollar effort to replace the aging fleet with modern, safer Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDVs).