A visitor talks with an employee next to a Cadillac XTS of General Motors (GM) during the 11th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition, known as Auto Guangzhou 2013, in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, November 21, 2013. [Photo/IC]

BEIJING - Shanghai GM, a joint venture founded by China's SAIC Motor and the United States' General Motors, has decided to recall its Cadillac XTS vehicles due to a software problem with the parking brake system, China's top quality watchdog said on Tuesday.

The recall, which began on Sept 5, will affect 38,328 vehicles on the Chinese mainland. The cars were produced between Oct 8, 2012 and July 17, 2014, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement on its website.

The problem could lead to incomplete release of the parking brake, the statement said.

The company will update the software for the affected vehicles for free.