DETROIT -

Close to 4,900 Chevrolet Sonics are being recalled for a possible missing brake pad in the vehicle, General Motors revealed Friday. The recall affects only 2012 model-year units and is limited to the U.S. and Canada.

In the U.S., 4,296 units are included in the recall, which also covers 577 vehicles in Canada.

GM is conducting the action to inspect the affected Sonic models for a missing inner or outer brake pad. If the pad is missing, it may take a longer distance to stop the vehicle and could lead to a crash.

That said, GM emphasized that no known injuries or accidents have occurred from this issue.

“Based on GM analysis, the condition is expected to exist in very few cars,” the automaker said in its statement. “The issue was discovered during warranty service for a rental vehicle customer.”

The models were built at the Orion Township assembly plant in Michigan. That facility is where GM builds Sonic for the U.S. and Canada.

Affected owners should expect to start seeing dealer letters on Jan. 14. Customers can bring their Sonic models in to dealerships for an inspection of the brakes. The dealer will add a pad if it is indeed missing.

All of this is covered under the new-car warranty and is provided at no cost to the owner.