simply a public relations problem. reporter: the justice department says toyota first blamed driver error and then admitted floor mats could trap the gas pedal in some models. but in january 2010 abc s brian ross aired the story of a runaway toyota in new jersey that could not be blamed on either the driver or the floor mats. it just took off. it just took off, it seemed like the more i hit the brakes the harder it wanted to accelerate. reporter: it turned out some toyotas also had sticking gas pedals. the record-breaking toyota settlement could provide a road map into a simple investigation into general motors and its faulty ignition switches. the attorney general made that clear saying other car companies should not repeat toyota s mistake. meanwhile in a statement, toyota says in the more than four years since these recalls, we have gone back to basics at toyota to put our customers first. rebecca jarvis, abc news, washington. enjoy the low interest rates