Japan's automaker Mazda Motor would recall 54,641 1.6-liter Mazda3/Axela compact cars in China from Friday, according to China's quality inspection authorities Thursday.

Mazda Motor said it had asked its two Chinese joint ventures to recall the cars, said the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).

According to the administration, an oil hose and a radiator shroud panel have been placed too close together, which may result in oil leaks. The affected cars may fail to run properly in extreme cases.

The recall covers 10,346 imported Mazda3 sedans produced between February 12, 2008 and March 31, 2009, and 44,295 home-made ones produced between November 29, 2006 and October 30, 2009.

The AQSIQ said Mazda Motor's two joint ventures in China, FAW Mazda and Chang'an Ford Mazda, would fix the faulty oil hose of the recalled cars for free.