Lamborghini is recalling 1,491 Gallardo Coupe and Spyder models to fix pipes that could leak power-steering fluid onto a hot engine and cause a fire.

Under hard driving, high-pressure pipes near the hydraulic steering pump can emit chlorine, which can then react with water to eat away part of the metal pipe, according to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Leaking fluid could then result in a fire. Gallardo models from 2004, the first model year, through 2006 are affected. In its filings, Lamborghini included Gallardo models built through April 2008, but for some reason it did not specify models from the 2007, 2008 or 2009 model years in the recall.

Lamborghini did not say specifically what it would fix, only that it would "update" the power-steering system. Affected owners have already been notified.

Over the Gallardo's entire nine-year production run, NHTSA has collected four owner complaints, three of which resulted in fires on 2004 and 2006 model-year cars when refueling or driving. Problems with many more Gallardos have been documented on owner forums and in media reports, which show photos and video of the cars either engulfed in flames on the roadside or their frames burnt to the ground.

Lamborghini, which could not be reached for comment, told NHTSA that "there have been no claim of fires, accidents or injury" related to this current recall.

It is rare, but not uncommon, for hand-built Italian supercars to spontaneously catch fire; there are just as many photos of Ferraris on the roadside with massive flames, including the company's new FF. In 2010, Ferrari had to recall its 458 Italia for glue underneath the rear fenders that could ignite from the engine's excessive heat.

[Source: NHTSA]