BEIJING - China conducted a total of 82 auto recalls between the start of 2013 and Aug 20, covering 1.999 million flawed vehicles, up 54.9 percent from the same period last year, the country's quality watchdog said on Wednesday.

Among the total, joint-venture companies conducted 18 recalls, covering 1.351 million vehicles, Chen Xitong, spokesman for the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), said at a press conference.

Meanwhile, domestic brands made 21 recalls, covering 277,000 vehicles. There were 43 recalls, covering 371,000 vehicles, among imported vehicles, according to the AQSIQ.

Engine flaws were the main reason for the recalls, Chen said, with vehicles recalled on these grounds accounting for 28.2 percent of the total.

China put in place a recall system for flawed cars in 2005, and set up similar systems for food and toys in 2007.