NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- General Motors is recalling 413,418 Chevrolet Cruze small cars to modify an engine shield that could trap spilled engine oil or leaked hydraulic fluid, which may lead to a fire.
During oil changes, if oil is spilled or dripped, it could become trapped by the engine shield. Also, in cars with manual transmissions, driving with a worn clutch can cause burning hydraulic fluid to squirt from the clutch housing. The flaming fluid can ignite the engine shield leading an engine compartment fire.
In a separate action involving some of the same cars, GM dealers will also inspect welds in the rear compartment to ensure they were properly applied. As many of the 249 of the cars may have incomplete welds.
The recalls involve all Cruzes with manual and automatic transmissions built in the United States from September 2010 through May 2012.
The recalls follows a preliminary investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into two engine compartment fires in 2011 Chevrolet Cruzes.
There are no known crashes, injuries or fatalities related to either recall, GM said in a press release Friday.
GM dealers will modify the engine shields in a process that will take about 30 minutes. Owners should make an appointment with their dealers "at their earliest convenience," GM said in a statement.
Weld repairs, if necessary, will take about three hours, GM said.
Notification letters will be mailed to owners beginning July 11.
™ & © 2012 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
PRINT
