BEIJING - Around 16.77 million vehicles had been recalled due to defects as of mid-September on the Chinese mainland as part of the efforts from China's quality watchdog to improve merchandise quality.

The recalls, by both homegrown and foreign car makers, retrieved direct economic losses of Chinese consumers worth more than 20 billion yuan ($3.25 billion) in the past decade, according to new data of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).

China launched a product recall mechanism in 2004 to protect consumer's rights and interests. The mechanism also applies to tires, motorcycles, toys and home appliances.

The AQSIQ is working on a consumer product safety draft to improve quality standards.