Toyota pays $29M to states to settle safety suit

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Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it has reached a settlement worth more than $1 billion in a case involving hundreds of lawsuits over acceleration problems in its vehicles. (File photo)
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Posted: 02/14/2013

DETROIT (AP) -- Toyota says it will pay $29 million to 29 states, including Ohio, and American Samoa as part of a settlement related to its safety recalls.

State attorneys general sued Toyota after it recalled 14 million vehicles globally in 2009 and 2010 for accelerating without warning. The lawsuit accused Toyota of failing to notify customers promptly about the problems.

As part of the settlement, Toyota says it will make vehicle information more easily accessible and deal more quickly with complaints. Toyota also will pay some restitution to owners.

Toyota blames sticky gas pedals and faulty floor mats for the acceleration issue.

Toyota has paid more than $1 billion to settle claims related to the recalls. It also recently paid a record $17.4 million fine to the U.S. government for failing to quickly report safety problems.