Although the root cause of Takata Corp.'s deadly air bag malfunctions remains unclear, Honda's new president on Thursday tried to reassure drivers and passengers that recalled vehicles are rendered safe with replacement inflators.

"Takata told us that the new inflator is safe, and we think it's safe, too," Honda Motor Co. President Takahiro Hachigo told a group of reporters. He was appointed to the position last month.

Millions of cars with Takata air bags have been recalled worldwide because of defects with inflators that could make them explode with too much force and fire shrapnel into the vehicle.