GM has issued a recall for owners of 475,000 (60,000 of which are in Canada) Chevrolet Cruze compact car models, saying there is a risk of an engine fire.

GM said the fires can ignite when fluids drip onto a plastic shield located below the engine.

About 30 fires have been caused by this problem so far, mostly occurring from spills caused by oil changes while the cars were in service, but no injuries have been reported.

Dealers plan to puncture the shield to let the fluid drain to prevent the problem.

The recall covers cars built from September 2010 through to May 2012.