11m cars recalled in China in 2016

Chinese and international automakers issued recalls for a record 11.32 million faulty cars in China by Dec 25, according to the country's top quality watchdog.

The number of cars recalled saw a 103 percent rise year-on-year and it was the first time it exceeded the 10 million unit line in one year since 2004, the Xinhua News Agency cited the data from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

The quality watchdog recorded it prompted more than 75 percent of recalls this year, involving roughly 8.51 million cars.

The top three culprits are airbags and safety belts, resulting in recalls of 6.43 million cars; engine problems, 2.42 million cars recalled and faulty car bodies, with 852,900 units recalled.

The watchdog said automakers have spent at least 21 billion yuan to fix the problems.