BEIJING, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. automaker Chrysler on Wednesday began recalling 19,572 imported vehicles in China due to defective airbags, according to China's consumer quality authority.

The recall involves Jeep Wrangler off-road vehicles and Chrysler 300C sedans manufactured between 2004 and 2012, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said on its website.

Some of the vehicles have front passenger airbags with defective inflators produced by Japanese manufacturer Takata that could improperly rupture and send potentially fatal shrapnel into occupants when the airbags explode, said the administration.

The problem has been linked to a number of deaths and injuries worldwide. In China, the defect involves more than 20 million vehicles, most of which have already been recalled.

Chrysler Group (China) Sales Ltd. will replace the defective airbags free of charge.