The incident was reported just after 3:15 a.m. near the intersection of 24th and Santiago streets, about a block away from the Taraval station, according to police spokeswoman Sgt. Lyn Tomioka.
One of the vehicle's tires was found on fire, but the damage was minor and the vehicle was still drivable, Tomioka said.
The suspect, Mark Buza, a San Francisco resident with no fixed address, according to Tomioka, was spotted running from the area and arrested.
Tomioka said Buza had allegedly poured flammable liquid on all four tires, but had apparently not had enough time to set the remaining three on fire.
The motive for the arson was not immediately known, she said.
Buza was booked on charges of arson and possession of a material or device for arson, according to Tomioka.
