BEIJING -- Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co, a 50-50 joint venture between China's Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Japan's Honda Motor Company, will recall thousands of CR-V passenger vehicles due to defects in the door lock design, China's quality watchdog said Thursday.

The recall will affect 76,415 vehicles produced between Jan 17 to June 19 this year, according to a statement issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine.

The statement said the vehicles' door-lock structure was a safety risk and the company will change the assembly for free.

The company will begin the recall from Aug 3.