BMW Photo: VCG

 
BMW China has recalled 142,754 imported cars produced between September 7, 2011 and April 30, 2016, including the M3 and M4 models, according to an announcement released by China’s top market regulator on Monday.

The State Administration for Market Regulation said that the vehicles being recalled might be affected by a safety hazard due to fluctuations in the fuel tank manufacturing process, which may result in fuel leakage when the vehicle is filled up. 

The company will use leak detectors to test the fuel tank pressure loss of the recalled vehicles and will replace the unqualified fuel tanks free of charge in order to eliminate the safety hazard. 

The company also suggested that if car owners smell fuel inside the vehicle or observe fuel leakage outside, they should contact authorized BMW dealers for repair as soon as possible. 

BMW China Automotive Trading Company, the distributor of imported cars, will firstly recall cars from the 3 Series due to parts availability from September 6, while the recall of other models is set to be implemented from October 29.

In the first half of this year, the company issued three recall announcements for its first domestic Sports Utility Vehicles, which have problems in a range of areas, including seat belt sensors and battery control units.

On August 2, BMW China filed a recall plan with the administration, after the regulator launched a defect investigation into various auto brands. Following the investigation, Volkswagen, Toyota and Chrysler also recalled some of their unqualified imported cars.