GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks has initiated a safety recall on about 42,000 VN and VHD model trucks manufactured between November 2002 and January 2006 and equipped with the Volvo D12D engine.

The company says there’s a potential for the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler inlet pipes, or the pipes that connect the EGR valve to the cooler, to crack or break. When that happens, the air cleaner and inner fender may be subjected to hot exhaust gases which poses a fire hazard.

Volvo officials say they have received numerous reports of trucks suffering heat damage to the inner fender or air cleaner and in two cases a fire has resulted. Nobody has been injured in either of those instances, the company points out.

Volvo Trucks North America will address the problem by inspecting the pipes, replacing any defective parts and installing protective heat shields on all trucks. The heat shield has been designed to deflect direct exhaust gas in the event of a failure of these pipes. Volvo dealers will be able to conduct the inspections and modifications in about an hour, the company says.

Volvo will be sending letters to all affected truck owners with further details and instructions. In the meantime, Volvo says drivers can continue to operate the affected vehicles until the repair is made. If they hear an exhaust leak or noise under the hood, however, they should stop the vehicle immediately and inspect the pipes.

The company is also urging drivers to inspect the pipes during their pre-trip inspection to check for cracks or loose sealings.