AFP/ New York

General Motors issued a recall Tuesday for 1.4 million older cars in North America over the risk that they could catch fire from leaking oil.

The recall, the third for the same problem, covers cars with 3.8-liter V6 engines from the model years 1997-2004, and includes the Pontiac Grand Prix; Chevrolet Impala, Lumina and Monte Carlo; Oldsmobile Intrigue and Buick Regal.

GM said drops of oil can fall on the hot exhaust manifold of the cars and burst into flame, causing engine fires. It is not the first time GM has recalled the cars over the issue; earlier recalls came in 2008 and 2009.

GM said it "is aware of post-repair fires in some vehicles but no crashes or fatalities." It said there were 19 reported "minor" injuries tied to the problem since the last recall.

The company said in a statement that it "is working on a remedy."

In 2014 GM recalled more than 30 million cars and trucks for various problems, especially that of faulty ignitions that could lead to crashes. At least 124 deaths have been tied to the ignition problem.