BEIJING: French car maker Renault has begun recalling more than 60,000 cars exported to China over problems with their fuel gauge sensors, China's consumer quality watchdog said, according to state media.

The recall affects 61,508 Koleos sports utility vehicles made between 2008 and 2012. After prolonged use, the fuel-level sensors fail to deliver correct readings and are unsafe, a government agency told Xinhua on Saturday.

This is not the first time the Koleos has encountered trouble in China, the number one car market in the world, where Renault is aiming to make a comeback through a joint venture with China's Dongfeng Motor.

More than 5000 Koleos vehicles were recalled last month over a welding defect, and in December 2011, Renault called back some 1,400 vehicles over a steering problem. The Koleos 4X4 represents the bulk of Renault sales in China.