GM recalls more than 40,000 cars on fuel leak concerns

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- General Motors is recalling more than 40,000 vehicles, citing concerns that a fuel pump module could crack and cause a fire in the event of a fuel leak.

The recall, disclosed in a letter by GM to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Friday, affects five models from 2007 through 2009: the Chevrolet Cobalt (2007-2009), Chevrolet Equinox (2007), Pontiac G5 (2007-2009), Pontiac Torrent (2007) and Saturn Ion (2007).

GM said the models were originally sold or registered in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas. GM said the cars "have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak."

The automaker said that it will notify owners about the recall, and that dealers will replace the fuel pump module for free.

This is the third major recall for GM in the past few months. Earlier in September, GM said it was recalling more than 426,000 sedans in the U.S. because of transmission problems. In June, GM recalled more than 400,000 Chevrolet Cruzes due to engine issues.