Toyota to recall defective cars in China

BEIJING - The Japanese automaker Toyota will recall some 4,400 units of FJ Cruiser cars in China over seat belt flaws, China's consumer quality watchdog said Saturday.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said on its website that Toyota China will recall these imported cars produced between December 2007 and March 2013.

Toyota is busy working on the solution to the flaw and will release improvement methods before April 15, according the administration.

This marks Toyota's second recalling this year after the auto giant announced in January that it would recall 22,869 units of Lexus IS cars in China due to wiper arm problem.

China's private auto ownership reached 93.09 million units by the end of 2012, up 18.3 percent year on year. Along with the fast expanding auto market, Chinese drivers grow more concerned about the quality of their cars.

Also on Saturday, the AQSIQ urged German automaker Volkswagen to recall defective cars after China Central Television (CCTV) exposed Volkswagen's gearbox defect on Friday.

To better protect the interests of Chinese consumers, the AQSIQ announced late last year that it would formulate a guideline to regulate a recall system for faulty cars.