South Korean carmaker Hyundai announced a recall of 470,000 Sonatas in the United States on Friday to replace engines that could have metal debris inside.

The recall covers the 2011-2012 model year Sonatas with two-liter and 2.4-liter engines manufactured in the company's Alabama plant.

The company said the problem had caused no accidents with its popular mid-size four-door sedan, but was a manufacturing problem that could lead to more damage inside the engine, causing it to fail.

Hyundai said it will replace the engines in the cars free-of-charge.