General Motors Co. is recalling all 475,000 Chevrolet Cruze compacts after reports of engine fires. The recall includes 413,418 2011-12 Cruzes in United States, 61,299 in Canada and 705 in Israel. The Chevrolet Cruze has ranked among the top selling compact cars in the U.S over the past two years. The fires can ignite when fluids, mainly oil spilled when it is being changed drips onto a hot plastic shield below the engine. GM will modify the engine shield which will help prevent liquids from being trapped in the engine compartment, where a fire could start and spread.

GM spokesman Alan Adler said the automaker had received reports of about 30 fires in Cruze models. The fires were linked to improper oil changes and other fluids that were trapped in the engine. No injuries, crashes and deaths were reported from these incidents. The Cruze is a key vehicle for GM. It was the best-selling car in 2011 and the second best-selling compact in the U.S last year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in March opened a preliminary investigation into the 2011 Cruze after receiving reports on two engine fires that destroyed the vehicles. Later the 2012 Cruze was also added to its investigation.

GM will notify Cruze owners about when to bring their cars to local dealers for repairs which are free and should take around 30 minutes. Dealers will fix the problem by cutting the plastic shield to let the fluids drain to the pavement. The recall work is scheduled to start on July 11. The recall includes cars built from September 2010 to May 2012 at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio, assembly plant. Sales have started to fall as more Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics become available. Both were scarce after a 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan hindered the production. GM Vice President of Quality Alicia Boler-Davis said in a statement that the company apologizes for any inconvenience to its customers. GM, she said, is working to assure customers that the Cruze “is the safe and durable car they purchased.”

via NyDailyNews