The U.S. unit of Takata Corp. is considering filing for Chapter 11 protection under the federal bankruptcy code, a source close to the matter said Friday, a move apparently aimed at seeking a sponsor to help pay for the cost of the global recall of its air bag inflators that have been linked to at least 15 deaths worldwide.

The recall-related cost to be shouldered by the Japanese auto parts supplier and automakers is estimated to reach ¥1 trillion (about $9.7 billion).

The cost could expand, especially in the United States, where the number of Takata's inflators to be recalled is expected to total around 70 million and 11 deaths linked to its exploding air bags have been confirmed by U.S. safety regulators.