BMW AG will recall 3,198 vehicles in China from November 21 to fix defects in the auxiliary electronic pump in several models in its line-up.

The recall includes 2,862 units of four BMW models such as the BMW 5 series, BMW X6, BMW 7-series and BMW X5 that were made between November 2007 and February 2011, according to China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine yesterday.

The recall will also affect 336 Rolls-Royce Ghost RR04 vehicles produced between May 2009 and March 2011, according to a BMW statement posted on the administration website. BMW bought British luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce in 1998 for 340 million pounds (US$698 million).

BMW said the auxiliary electronic pump may break down when the circuit board malfunctions in models that are equipped with 8-cylinder or 12-cylinder engines. The overheated circuit board may even cause a fire, the German carmaker said.

BMW and Rolls-Royce said they would replace the defective electronic pump for free.

Consumers can get more information through BMW's service hotline 400-800-6666.

BMW has been involved in several product quality scandals in China this year.

For example the BMW X3 sport-utility vehicles had a problem with frequent power loss despite the owners sending the SUVs for repair and maintenance.