BEIJING -- Japanese automaker Mazda Motor and its Chinese joint venture Chang'an Ford Mazda will recall 94,874 Mazda3 vehicles starting Thursday over defective windshield wipers, China's consumer quality watchdog said on Wednesday.

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Imported cars that were produced between January 15, 2008 and March 31, 2009 are included in the recall, as are cars that were produced in China between February 14, 2008 and February 12, 2010, according to a statement posted on the website of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

The windshield wipers in question were not designed properly and may stop functioning, the statement said.

The two companies will help customers to repair the wipers for free, the statement said.