NEW YORK – Toyota Motor North America announced it is settling litigation related to previous recalls for its vehicles due to unintended acceleration events. The automaker is paying a one-time $1.1 billion pre-tax charge against earnings to cover the estimated cost of the settlement and the possible resolution of civil litigation brought by the District Attorney of Orange County in California and an investigation by a group of Attorneys General from multiple states.

Toyota’s Christopher P. Reynolds, group vice president and general counsel, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A, and chief legal officer, Toyota Motor North America, said that although the company has scientific evidence and multiple independent evaluations on its side, it’s taking this step in order to move beyond the legal challenges.

The automaker said that if the judge supervising multidistrict litigation pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California approves the settlement, Toyota will launch a new customer support program. The program will provide supplemental coverage for certain vehicle components and will retrofit additional non-hybrid vehicles that were subject to the floor mat recall with a free brake override system.

The company said that for more information on the settlement, visit www.toyotaelsettlement.com or call 877-283-0507.