Record number of recalls over defects

Toyota China decided to recall nearly 20,000 Lexus cars in May 2016. [Photo/China Daily]

Chinese and international automakers issued recalls for a record 11.33 million faulty cars in China in 2016, according to the country's top quality watchdog. The number of cars recalled more than doubled year-on-year, exceeding the 10 million mark for the first time in a single year since China introduced its car recall mechanism in 2004, said the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

The quality watchdog prompted more than 75 percent of recalls this year, involving roughly 8.51 million cars. Airbags and safety belts caused the recall of 6.43 million cars. Engine problems resulted in 2.42 million cars being recalled and faulty car bodies in 852,900 vehicles recalled.