GM recalls 4,000 Cadillacs in US, China on engine fire risk

General Motors recalled 3,996 Cadillac SRX sport utility vehicles in the United States and China Thursday because of a defect which could cause a fire in the engine.

GM said the vehicles could possibly have damaged steering lines and that a fire could occur if the power steering fluid leaks onto hot engine parts.

GM said it was aware of one such fire in an unattended SRX but there have been no related injuries or crashes.

"Based on GM analysis, the issue is believed to exist in only two or three of the recalled vehicles," GM said in a statement.

The recall affects 3,460 vehicles in the United States and 341 in China which were built in December 2009.

Owners will be notified by mail and the inspection and any necessary repair will be performed free of charge.

mso/sg