BEIJING - Chrysler Wednesday started a recall of 21,598 imported vehicles due to a defective vacuum booster in the brakes, according to China's General Administration of Customs (GAC).

The recall involves imported Jeep Cherokees manufactured between Jan 5, 2010 and Sept 8, 2013, according to the GAC.

Chrysler said the vacuum booster may cause the brakes to fail to work, posing safety risks.

In the past two months, many well-known auto companies, including BMW, Audi, and Volvo, announced vehicle recalls in China.