Auto recalls in China totaled 97 during the Jan.-Sept. period, involving 2.69 million vehicles, the country's quality watchdog said on Thursday.

The number of defective vehicles marked a sharp increase of 99 percent from the same period last year, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said at a press conference.

Joint-venture companies conducted 24 recalls involving 1.94 million vehicles, while domestic brands made 23 recalls totaling 349,000 vehicles.

Fifty recalls were made on imported vehicles, according to the AQSIQ.

Brake and wheel flaws were the major reason for the recalls, followed by problems in engines and steering systems, the AQSIQ said.

China put in place a recall system for defective cars in 2005 and set up similar systems for food and toys in 2007.