China's quality inspection authorities said Wednesday that Japanese car-maker Honda has decided to recall 165 Civics and Streams models sold in China due to airbag defects.

The recall, beginning July 19, covered two imported models -- the 2001-2002 Civics and Streams, which were produced between Aug. 7, 2000 and July 22, 2002, according to a statement posted on the website of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).

The statement said, when inflating, the vehicle occupants' airbag could over-pressurize during deployment.

"The increased internal pressure could cause the inflator casing to rupture, and fragments could possibly cause an injury to vehicle occupants," according to the statement.

Honda would replace the vehicle occupants' airbag inflators on the recalled cars free of charge, said the statement.