15,798 cars recalled in China over Takata airbag defect

An airbag logo is seen on a steering wheel of Honda Motor Co's all-new hybrid sedan "Grace", which installed the airbag made by Takata Corp, during its unveiling event in Tokyo on Dec 1, 2014. FAW Car Co., a branch of state-owned FAW Group, will
An airbag logo is seen on a steering wheel of Honda Motor Co's all-new hybrid sedan "Grace", which installed the airbag made by Takata Corp, during its unveiling event in Tokyo on Dec 1, 2014. FAW Car Co., a branch of state-owned FAW Group, will recall 15,798 cars due to an airbag defect, China's quality watchdog said on Wednesday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

BEIJING (Reuters) - FAW Car Co., a branch of state-owned FAW Group, will recall 15,798 cars due to an airbag defect, China's quality watchdog said on Wednesday.

The airbags were supplied by Takata Corp., the company at the heart of massive recalls globally involving Japanese, US and European automakers.

FAW will recall Besturn B50 car models manufactured between Feb 9 and June 30 this year, China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said in a statement on its website.

The watchdog said there were concerns the airbag control units in the affected vehicles were not functioning properly.

It said in extreme cases, there was a possibility "that the airbags may explode by themselves".

A spokeswoman for FAW did not answer calls to her phone for comment.

FAW Car Co. Ltd operates a joint venture partnership with Japan's Mazda Motor Corp. in China. In July, China's quality watchdog said it was recalling 42,732 Mazda 6 sedans due to an airbag problem.

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