GM recalls 475,000 cars over engine fire risk

General Motors will recall more than 475,000 Chevrolet Cruzes in the United States, Canada and Israel to fix a defect that could lead to engine fires, the automaker said Friday. "The most important thing for our customers to know is that we are proactively working to assure the Cruze is the safe and durable car they purchased," Alicia Boler-Davis, GM's vice president of global quality, said in a press release. "We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by these actions." GM will also check the vehicles for a possible welding problem that could affect the fuel tank and the real floor. There are no known crashes, injuries or fatalities related to either recall, GM said. The recall comes after US safety regulators opened an investigation in April following two engine compartment fires. GM said in regulatory filings that it is aware of about 30 fires, "most traced to improper oil change procedures and parts." If oil is spilled and contacts hot engine or exhaust system surfaces the shield can ignite or burn. A fire can also occur if the vehicle is driven with a completely worn clutch which could cause burning hydraulic fluid to be expelled from a vent hole. The first recall will modify the engine shield to prevent liquid from being trapped in the engine compartment. The second will ensure that all welds in the rear compartment were properly applied. The recall affects all vehicles built at GM's Lordstown, Ohio plant from September 2010 through May 2012. Repairs will be conducted at no charge and are expected to take about 30 minutes to perform.