Honda Motor Co. said it is recalling more than 18,000 2011 models over concerns the fuel tank could leak in a rollover crash and has halted the sales of some models.

Honda said the recall of 18,056 vehicles is to inspect and replace a part that could fail to prevent fuel from leaking out of the fuel tank and into the evaporative emissions canister in a rollover, reported The Detroit News.

The fuel pump module is equipped with a rollover valve but because of improper welding of the plastic case, it may break or crack, Honda said. Honda halted the sale of some Civic vehicles on Monday because of unrepaired vehicles on dealer lots.

The company told dealers on Monday "a stop sale is in effect for a limited number of 2011 Civic 4-door and 2-door models produced at the Canada and Indiana plants."

Honda warned dealers that if they sold a vehicle on the stop sale list and "should an unrepaired vehicle cause an injury or damage because of the recalled item, the dealership will be solely responsible to the damaged party, and will be required to defend and indemnify American Honda for any resulting claims."

The repair will require removal and inspection of the fuel tank unit. Replacement of the fuel tank unit will be required if the rollover valve case is cracked. Honda predicts just 1 percent of the fuel tank units will need to be replaced.

Honda said it has no reports of any fuel leaks from the condition, but its Southfield-based supplier Denso International notified it of some faulty rollover valves after it replaced parts on its ultrasonic welding machine in late October.

Denso changed its welding process in early December.

Honda will notify owners in mid-April.