Luxury automaker Porsche has started a recall of 2,561 of its Cayenne sport utility vehicles (SUV), Chinese officials said in Beijing in a circular on Tuesday.

According to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, the vehicle's fuel line came into contact with the engine block while the car was being driven. The contact could cause a knocking sound and leave abrasions on the fuel line, which could lead to fuel leaks, the circular said.

The automaker said that it would repair the fuel lines for free. The recall will last for 12 months. To date, no injuries or accidents had been reported due to the defect, it said.

Due to the problem, the automaker will recall nearly 19,000 Cayennes worldwide, according to media reports.

Porsche sales in China hit nearly 4,200 last year, up from 2,305 in 2006, said the company.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2008)