STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) - Ford-owned Volvo Cars on Thursday said it was recalling 49,500 diesel vehicles because of a problem with a filter that reduces soot from the exhaust.

Volvo Cars spokeswoman Maria Bohlin said the recall affected C30, S40 and V50 diesel models from 2005 and after, mostly in Europe.

The cars were being called back because of a problem with the software that controls the diesel particulate filter, which could affect the cars' performance and in extreme cases lead to a fire in the engine, Bohlin said. She added that no such fires had been reported.

Volvo Car Corp. will replace the software that controls the filter free of charge.