Vehicle fires are common. Unfortunately, many involve less than $50,000. There has to be a way to economically pursue subro, without incurring many thousands of dollars of experts fees.
Way 1:
You can pursue the case through litigation or, if the manufacturer agrees, to binding arbitration. You may not need an expert or if so, your basic origin and cause expert. He will eliminate driver error, and if in the vicinity of a structure, the structures wiring, careless use of smoking materials, and arson. Then simply go to the jury with the assured and O&C expert. The jury will either give you a win or a loss, but the costs are minimal. One downside is that in the event of a loss, you will have to pay the defendant manufacturers costs.
Way 2:
Daimler Chrysler is a member of Arb. Forums. You can arbitrate cases involving their whole line of products, from Jeep, to Dodge, to Chrysler, to Plymouth, etc.
You can request the other manufacturers to submit to binding arbitration, either through Arb Forums or some other arbitration proceeding.
To Do:

   1. Have your expert run the lists of recall notices and service bulletins, to locate service problems with the make and model involved in your loss.

    2.   Discuss with the manufacturers claims representative whether arbitration is agreeable.SubroFlash No. 23 Where Did the Water Come From?