is it possible for a radio to short circuit other posts of the car?

So my brothers radio in his car surged and short circuited the dash board indicators. Some guy who claims he studied cats since he was younger insist that a radio can't short circuit other things on the car. And some cars just got recalled because they short circuited which caused strong problems and air bags to randomly deeply and he still claims he's right and it's so annoying. So who's right me or him I think if something short circuits is possible it will mess up other things in the car that use electricity He thinks that if something short circuits that it won't affect anything else (this argument stemmed from me saying I want an older car where not everything is digital)