Nissan recalls 51,000 cars in Canada and the U.S.

Nissan is voluntarily recalling more than 50,000 Cube hatchbacks in Canada and the U.S. over fuel leakage concerns.

In documents filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Nissan said tests conducted by NHTSA safety regulators found that more fuel spilled from the vehicle when it was rotated following a "rear moving barrier crash test," than U.S. standards allow.

According to the report, "fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire."

Cube dealers will develop a special protector and attach it to the gasoline recirculation tube located at the filler neck connector. The service will be performed free of charge, beginning August 30, 2010.

The recall covers model year 2009 and 2010 Cubes manufactured between January 30, 2009 and July 2010, and includes 45,700 vehicles in the United States and 5,400 in Canada.