GENERAL Motors Corp has recalled 944,000 sedans, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks worldwide because of a potential short circuit in a system that heats windshield-wiper fluid.

The voluntary recall affects 16 models from 2006 to 2008 that have the system, including Chevrolet Silverado pickups, Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs and Cadillac DTS sedans, the Detroit-based auto maker said in a letter posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Website. Of the vehicles, 857,735 are in the United States, Bloomberg News reported.

A short circuit in the washer-fluid system could cause other electrical features to malfunction and lead to smoke or fire. There have been three reported fires related to the problem, with no accidents or injuries, GM said. The models covered are the 2007 and 2008 Silverado and Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche and Suburban, GMC Acadia, Yukon, Yukon XL and Sierra, and Saturn Outlook, the 2006 to 2008 Hummer H2, Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne, and the 2008 Buick Enclave.