WASHINGTON — Toyota paid a record $16.4 million fine today for a slow response to its accelerator pedal recall.

A Transportation Department official said the Japanese automaker paid the fine after reaching an agreement with the government on April 19. Toyota had 30 days to pay it. The official was not authorized to speak publicly before an announcement was made.

Toyota faced the maximum penalty allowed under law after it was accused of hiding earlier defects involving gas pedals, a contention that Toyota rejected even though it agreed to pay the fine.

The world's largest car manufacturer has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for safety defects affecting some of its best-selling models.

The company still faces hundreds of state and federal lawsuits in the U.S, and the recalls have prompted the first major review of U.S. auto safety laws in Congress since tire recalls by Bridgestone/Firestone in 2000.

The fine does not free Toyota from potential civil and criminal penalties.