Woman Wins Suit Against Honda

The Southern California woman who claimed Honda misled her about the fuel economy of her 2006 Civic Hybrid has had her day in court — and won. A Los Angeles judge ruled that the automaker indeed misled Heather Peters and awarded her $9,867 in compensation.  The former corporate attorney took Honda to small-claims court last year alleging that her hybrid never delivered the fuel-economy Honda promised. The car's window sticker advertised a 49/51 mpg city/highway rating, which she claims never happened. Peters also said a deteriorating battery and software update worsened the car's fuel economy. AP News is reporting that the judge agreed. "At a bare minimum Honda was aware ... that by the time Peters bought her car there were problems with its living up to its advertised mileage," Superior Court Commissioner Douglas Carnahan wrote in the judgment. Peters opted not to join the related and ongoing class-action lawsuit against Honda. It involves owners of 2002-09 Civic Hybrids and could net each one $100 to $200. She launched DontSettleWithHonda.org to encourage owners to take Honda to small-claims court instead. A ruling on that class action suit is expected in March. Honda plans to appeal the ruling. Woman wins small-claims suit over Honda hybrid mpg (AP News)   from KickingTires http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/

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