STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Automobile maker Volvo Cars is recalling 56,000 vehicles because of two separate problems.

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.

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

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

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

Injector plants or bolts will 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.

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 US$6.45 billion (4.4 billion euros).