Volkswagen is recalling more than 170,000 cars because of a fire risk, with drivers urged to get their motor checked.

The global car manufacturer is recalling 177,493 crossover SUVs, including certain Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles, ranging from model years 2024 to 2025.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warned the engine cover may have been improperly installed after vehicle service.

This could cause it to come loose and come into contact with hot engine surfaces which increases the risk of a fire.

NHTSA has confirmed dealers will remove the engine cover and fix the issue completely free of charge. 

The issue is only understood to affect Volkswagen models based in the United States at this stage with no UK recall notice issued.

American owners can check if their model is impacted by any existing recall notice in minutes by searching for a few details online.

Simply looking up a car's licence plate number or Vehicle Identification Number through the online portal can bring motorists the information they need in no time at all. 

The latest recall comes just days after NHTSA issued another car recall for over 60,000 Volkswagen and Audi electric vehicles.

Models have been called in for repairs after concerns that faulty gear display that could increase the risk of models rolling away.

According to a VW dealer, the 'N' gear may not display properly, meaning motorists could leave their car unattended while it is still in gear.

The recall notice issued by NHTSA affects Volkswagen ID.4s models built between 2021 and 2023.

Meanwhile, fully-electric 2022-23 Audi Q4 e-Trons and Q4 Sportback e-Trons are also listed among the notice.

A Volkswagen dealer notice reads: "Under certain circumstances, the "N" gear position may not be shown in the instrument cluster when it should be displayed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with regulatory requirements.

"If the correct transmission gear position indicator is not shown and the electronic parking brake is not engaged, the driver may be unable to identify the transmission shift position, increasing the risk of a crash and vehicle roll away."