Heather Podesta + Partners has lined up Toyota Motor North America for automotive, engineering and environmental issues.

The Japanese auto giant is eager to regain its footing following the 2009 and 2010 recall of more than 14M cars due to unintended acceleration and braking issues.

On April 5, Toyota and Orange County (CA) prosecutors hammered out a $16M settlement in a class action case that accused the company concealing safety issues related to “sticky” gas pedal and floor mat issues. In the settlement, Toyota denied all charges.

Heather Podesta, a former counsel to the late California Congressmen Robert Matsui, leads her firm's account team.

Toyota spent about $6M in federal lobbying fees during the past year.

It terminated ties with Glover Park Group during the fourth quarter after spending $140K in 2012 at that WPP unit.