Vehicle recalls in China surged 66 percent to 5.3 million units last year after the central government enacted tougher penalties for automakers that fail to report vehicle defects, China's watchdog agency said.

Main reasons for the recalls were defects in drivelines, electronics, brakes, engines and electrical components, according to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

At the beginning of 2013, the central government enacted regulations making automakers that try to conceal defects or refuse to recall defective vehicles subject to fines ranging up to 10 percent of the value of vehicles concerned.