BEIJING - FAW Car Co, a branch of State-owned FAW Group, has begun a recall of 28,600 Mazda 6 Atenza cars over potential fuel leaks, China's top quality supervisor said on Tuesday.

The affected vehicles were manufactured between July 31, 2013 and Jan 14, 2015, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement.

Unapproved materials were used for the vehicles' fuel steam hoses, which may crack and result in leaks in extreme cases, said the statement.

FAW will check and replace the defective parts free of charge. The recall started on May 18.