Renault to recall defective cars in China

BEIJING -- French automaker Renault will recall more than 8,000 cars in China over problems with their airbags, China's consumer quality watchdog said Thursday.

As of July 30, the company will begin to recall its Megane II model sedans produced between October 17, 2003 and January 24, 2008 and the Scenic II cars made from March 4, 2004 to January 24, 2008, a General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine statement said.

The recall will involve 8,114 vehicles in China, it said.

The vehicles have defective airbags that may not properly function due to faulty manufacturing techniques, the statement said.

Renault will put updated airbag parts into mass production at the end of July. It will then replace the defective parts in affected cars free of charge, it said.

The administration said in a separate statement Thursday that German luxury car maker Porche will recall 384 of its 911 Carrera vehicles in China beginning from May 22 due to substandard exhaust silencers.