According to documents posted on the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, more than 258,000 sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) in the US and Canada are being recalled by General Motors (GM) and Japan-based Isuzu Motors, for fixing an issue with power windows.

The SUVs which are being recalled include the 2006-2007 models of five of GM's mid-sized SUV brands: Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Isuzu Ascender and Saab 97-X.

The SUVs under recall were either sold or registered in 20 US states - mostly Northeast and Midwest states - and Canada, where the winter clearing on the roads involves the use of salt and other chemicals. The vehicles are being recalled so that short circuits in their power windows and door-lock switches can be fixed in order to avert potential fires.

Revealing that there have been 28 reports of the problem, though no injuries have been caused, GM said in the documents posted on the NHTSA website on August 17 that the problem is rooted in the fact that fluid can get inside the driver's door of the affected vehicles; thereby corroding the power window and door-switch circuit boards.

Noting that a short in the circuit board "may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative" in the SUVs being recalled, the NHTSA said: "The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke or a fire."