BMW will recall 232,098 vehicles in China for a defective bolt design that may damage the engine or cause it to fail to start.

BMW will recall 138,534 imported sedans, X-series SUVs and the Z4 roadster made from June 10, 2009 to July 30, 2012, according to a statement posted on the China General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine Web site. Its Chinese joint venture, BMW Brilliance Automotive, will call back 93,564 made-in-China vehicles.

The recalls, which will start from June 18, involve a defect that can cause the external bolts on the engine control system to loosen or break, and affect the sealing. Under certain circumstances, this may result in damage to the engine, or cause it to fail to start, according to the statement.

BMW had announced on its Weibo account last month that it was looking into the issue and will recall the vehicles, Jimmy Cao, a representative for BMW China, said today. The recall was voluntary and not part of a global recall, he said.