BEIJING - China's consumer quality watchdog said Friday that Beijing Hyundai had decided to recall thousands of Elantra Yuedong cars because of defective airbag designs.

The recall would involve 97,452 vehicles of the 2008 model of Elantra made between March 16, 2008 and January 25, 2010, said a statement from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

Airbags with that model may be triggered off by mistake when the car is parked or traveling at low speed, according to the statement.

It said that Beijing Hyundai will offer free software upgrades to the embedded airbag control unit for the cars involved starting from July 10.

Beijing Hyundai is a joint venture between China's homegrown automaker Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co Ltd (BAIC) and its South Korean partner Hyundai Motor.