BMW issues recall over new Takata airbag problem

DETROIT — Another potentially deadly problem has surfaced with Takata airbags, this one forcing BMW to recall over 4,000 SUVs in the United States and Canada.

The new problem was traced to improper welds, and it’s separate from the trouble that has caused the largest automotive recall in U.S. history.

The latest recall, unveiled Friday in documents posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, affects certain BMW X3 and X4 SUVs from the 2015 model year, and X5s from 2014 and 2015. The driver’s front airbag inflator can separate from a plate, shooting out metal and other debris. “This may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants,” BMW said in the documents.

No injuries have been reported, and NHTSA says the problem inflators from this manufacturing lot were not installed in any other vehicles made by BMW or other automakers. The agency says the inflators will be tested as a precaution to make sure there are no other problems.

“Indications thus far are that this issue is isolated to approximately 4,000 parts, and we are unaware of any injuries as a result of the issue,” Takata said.

It’s a new problem for Takata in addition to the one that brought the recall of 69 million vehicles in the United States and about 100 million worldwide.

As many as 15 people, including 10 in the United States, have been killed by exploding Takata airbag inflators, and more than 100 have been hurt.