Volvo Recalls 58,000 Cars

Volvo Cars spokeswoman Maria Bohlin said 38,000 diesel cars of the S60, V 70 XC 70 and XC 90 models made in 2006 were being called back in Europe due to a material fault that could cause the motor catching fire. The second callback, involving 18,000 of the company's latest V 70 and XC 70 models, relates to an air bag problem in the side of the car.

It was not immediately clear how many British fire incidents there had been.

Bohlin said the fuel injector plants or bolts, located on top of the motor cylinder, were faulty, potentially causing diesel to leak out into the motor.

Injector plants or bolts would be replaced free-of-charge in a procedure that would take about two hours, she said.

With the air bags "there's a risk they don't launch fast enough," Bohlin said.

The cars have mainly been sold in Sweden, Britain and in the U.S.

Bohlin declined to say how much the recalls and maintenance work would cost the company.

Volvo Cars has been owned by Ford Motor Co. since 1999, when it was acquired for $6.45 billion (4.4 billion euros).