We've told you recently about the problems Honda now has with its Civic and Toyota has with its Camry... We'd be remiss if we didn't include GM's announced recall of 475,000 Chevy Cruzes from 2011 and 2012 due to potential engine fires.

A risk of engine fires is causing GM to recall the Chevy Cruze compact car. A report from the AP says GM knows about 30 Cruzes that have caught fire. Apparently the fires can ignite when fluids, such as oil that might spill when it is being changed, drips onto a hot plastic shield below the engine.

Flames have engulfed and destroyed at least two vehicles according to NHTSA, but fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

The recalled vehicles include cars built from September 2010 through May 2012 at GM's Lordstown, OH plant. The cars were sold in the U.S., Canada and Israel.

Certainly the negative publicity has the potential to impact momentum that GM has gained in a market segment where it has come up short. According to Associated Press automotive reporter Tom Krisher, the Cruze was the top-selling compact car in the U.S. from May through September last year.

But recently Cruze sales have started to slip as more Toyota Camrys and Honda Civics, became more available as Japan recovers from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that shut down auto production.

Krisher says GM has sold more than 350,000 Cruzes in the U.S. alone including nearly 95,000 so far for 2012. The company says it is working hard to minimize any inconvenience to GM customers and assure them that the Cruze is the "safe and durable car" they purchased.

GM says that in addition to a recall of 413,3418 Cruze sedans, it is also issuing a recall of an additional 249 Chevy Cruze models that may be at risk for missing some welding work in their trunks. The repairs will be performed at no charge to customers.

Cruze owners are advised to contact their car dealer and make an appointment as soon as possible. The engine shield modification only takes about a half hour and if welds need to be completed those will take about three hours.