The recall covers 133,074 Regal sedans made by Shanghai General Motors from September 2008 to October 2010, and 99,857 LaCrosse cars built between April 2009 and October 2010, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said.

The fault could cause fuel pipes to rupture at the joints under extreme conditions, preventing the engine from running, or even sparking fires, it said.

GM has several joint ventures in China including Shanghai GM, a partnership with China's largest auto maker, SAIC Motor.

The safety agency said on February 14 that Shanghai GM would recall 2,806 imported Cadillacs in China to repair or replace faulty suspensions.

Booming auto sales in China saw it overtake the US as the world's biggest auto market in 2009, and it has become increasingly important to US auto giant GM as demand weakens in the States.