Subject to recall are 54,217 vehicles in two models, including the Harrier sport utility vehicle. The vehicles have a defect that can cause the engine's computer control system to operate incorrectly and possibly catch fire, Kyodo said.

There were two cases of fires in Japan, both happening in cars left parked with the engine running, but no one was injured, Kyodo said. The recalled models were produced between December 1997 and November 2000.

It's unclear where the vehicles were sold.