(January 30, 2010) Honda will recall more than 600,000 of its subcompact Fit hatchbacks — including 140,000 in the United States — due to a potential fire hazard, the maker announced today.

The problem is the result of a defect master power window switch that could leak and, in some cases, cause a fire.  So far, the automaker acknowledges, it has received three reports of fires caused by the defect, including two in the U.S. and another in South Africa.

The problem impacts what has become one of Honda’s best-sellers worldwide, and a vehicle that has proven popular in the United States, where it competes against a growing list of subcompacts, such as the Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa.

The recall involves a total of 646,000 of the subcompacts sold in North America, South America, Europe, South Africa and Asia.  The Japanese market — where the Fit is Honda’s best-selling product — is not included in the recall.

Honda’s recall comes on the wake of a series of recent safety-related actions by Toyota.