A brake-assist system in the affected midsize sedans could malfunction under extremely cold weather, he said.

The affected cars were produced in China by the FAW-Mazda joint venture between November 2012 and March 2016.

The company will replace the affected component, the spokesman said.

The issue has caused 11 known "small" accidents, he said, adding that no injuries or deaths were reported.

(Reporting By Norihiko Shirouzu; Editing by David Goodman)