(Wreckedexotics.com)

Ferrari will recall more than 1,000 units of its 458 Italia after at least four of the mid-engine exotics caught fire in the last three months, the company said.

A glue securing the engine heat shield to the rear fenders can overheat in aggressive driving, which can cause the 562-horsepower V-8 to overheat and catch fire. So far, at least four engine fires have occurred to 458 owners in California, Switzerland, France, and China.

The car has only been on sale for a few months, and was introduced in the US at the end of June. The company said all 458s made after July already have the fix, which involves installing metal rivets to attach the shield, according to an owner on the car blog Jalopnik.

The owners who leaped out of their cars in time to escape the engulfing flames (no injuries have been reported) will get a new one at no charge.

Ferrari of New England, based in Norwood, has not performed any recall work yet, said general manager Dennis Dotolo. The dealer has sold about two or three models, which cost at least $250,000 and require a lengthy delivery time.

It's not the first time an Italian sports car has spontaneously combusted. On Lamborghinis, engine fires on the Murcielago and Gallardo models have been well-documented. The 458's predecessor, the 430, was recalled for a similar engine fire risk in 2009.

A Ferrari spokesman said that these kind of problems are "fairly common" but that this repair "is going to be it."