BEIJING - Mercedes-Benz will recall 5,173 imported cars in China over a steering column problem, according to China's consumer quality authority.

Mercedes-Benz (China) Automotive Sales filed the plan to recall G-class SUVs, manufactured between July 25, 2012 and Jan 20, 2017, with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

The steering wheel may not work properly due to a faulty universal joint retaining bolt at the bottom of the steering column, posing a hazard.

The recall will begin on Aug 5, 2017. The company will replace the faulty parts free of charge.

The recall announcement came less than one week after Mercedes-Benz said on July 15 that it had began recalling 16,301 imported A-class, B-class and CLA-class cars in China over a brake booster problem.

Global and Chinese automakers recalled 4.49 million defective vehicles in the first five months of this year, compared with 11.34 million in the whole year of 2016.