BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Japanese automaker Toyota Tuesday began a recall of 4,682 Lexus sedans imported into China due to defective airbags, according to China's market regulator.

Filed by Toyota Motor (China) Investment Co., the recall will involve one Lexus IS 250C manufactured on Jan. 15, 2014, and 4,681 Lexus GX 400 manufactured between Jan. 6, 2014 and Feb. 13, 2017, the State Administration of Market Regulation said in a statement.

The front passenger airbags, produced by Japanese manufacturer Takata, have defective inflators that could fracture and send potentially fatal shrapnel into passengers when airbags are activated, the administration said.

Defective Takata airbags have been linked to a number of deaths and injuries worldwide, prompting massive recalls of affected vehicles throughout the world.

The company will replace the defective airbags free of charge.