Didn't cars use to catch fire when you crash hard enough even when the fuel tank wasn't ruptured back in older versions of the game. I think they should change it back and make it when you crash the front of your car hard enough, the engine could catch on fire like real life. Just an idea though.
What engines catch fire when you crash? If the fuel line isn't raptured i dont see how, and the fuel line is usually VERY though.
It's also more flexible, so much less likely to break during a collision. The engine will likely stall too, so the fuel pump won't be pressurising the system, especially on more modern cars with better safety features.