Chang'an Automobile started to recall 37,861 Eulove vehicles in China on Friday to fix a battery defect, the country's consumer quality watchdog said.

Vehicles produced between Feb. 3, 2013 and April 20, 2014 are affected, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement.

A design defect in the battery may cause a short circuit and even self-ignition under extreme conditions. The company will replace the defective part for free, the statement said.