Heather Peters was successful in her small claims case against Honda, in which she alleged that the car wasn’t getting anywhere near the 50 MPG she says the company advertised her car would get. Although Honda only has to pay her $9,687 for this particular ruling, Peters has essentially laid the groundwork for other owners to make similar claims that could ultimately cost the company an enormous amount of money. More »
I got to this one late, it didn’t make sense at all until actually reading the details, as all Jalops should, but then again we have known all along that hybrids suck!
also, should this be a reply to every shot in the dark comment?, there’s quite a few of them.
skulldriveshaft
Meh, my 97 civic coupe got 30-40mpg normally and 50 if I drove it lightly. My 03 matrix will get 30 normally and 40 if I drive it lightly.
Manual transmission baby!
Cream Of Meat
I heard five grand, and they only last 5- 7 years or something like that. So the money you save on gas gets nullified when you have to put a new lithium batteries.
steliosr32
Spoken like a 99%er. LMFAO
You would enjoy Cuba.
Savant-Idiot
Spoken like a 99%er LMFAO.
You would enjoy Cuba.
Savant-Idiot
Would you care to elaborate? Except this time use grown-up spelling, sentence structure and punctuation, please.
Because unless the law says they have to stipulate it, they don’t. Once they get that EPA rating, they can throw it around all they want as long as a new car coming off the lot is capable of passing the same EPA tests within a certain percentage as the ones tested.
jodark
That buys a lot of corduroy pant suits.
bugattatra – turbo pancake
Good points on the legal implications all around but here’s my question: How were her driving habits? If the car is supposed to get 50 miles per gallon, it should be able to do it IF and ONLY IF you can drive economically.
Case in point: Top gear thrashed a prius around a track. A car that is supposed to get 42mpg combined. It did less than 17 I think. The woman probably has a lead foot in her car.
Spectre1
agreed awesome commuter car
UnalteredTruth
Caption: “Who’s got two thumbs and likes givin’ the photographer a peek under da hood? Eh? Dis guy!!!”
rad_mike
actually yes u could unless expressly stipulated in the literature… u used a very bad example… nice try tho
UnalteredTruth
#winner
UnalteredTruth
But of course, she lives in California. Do you really expect her to set foot in a Ford, or, gasp, Chevrolet dealership? They’re domestic brands! All the women in her spin class drive Toyotas and Hondas, she can’t be the only one, that’s social suicide.
ranwhenparked
No, Heather Peters, not everywhere.
I saw some Civic Hybrids in my city (middle Russia). It was -27C yesterday and I saw one moving, the only mystery was the place it was parked overnight.
4X
That regulation is there to make sure that companies can’t fuck you over and run with your cash. Having something is so so much better than having nothing, they at least do some fair testing to give the estimate. And good on the woman for for her victory, I think a world where corporations take responsibility for their actions is much better than the alternative
the_conway
Your example is horribly stupid
this lawsuit against honda is very valid. It’d be like them selling you a mustang with only half power, you would be seriously pissed
the_conway
This case is also significant because it represents someone rejecting a class action in favor of a trip to small claims. The days of millions of plaintiffs getting $1.21 settlement checks while scumbag class action law firms take 45% of the total could be coming to a close, and that is almost certainly a good thing.
CJinSD
No, moral of the story is Honda’s IMA couldn”t get high MPG without hurting its battery, and beware of software updates that “fix” problems by screwing up performance. I think the Nissan GT-R got a software update to lessen gearbox damage that decreased 0-60 slightly, I wonder if anyone took them to court.
The 2013 Honda Accord plug-in hybrid has a different two-motor setup and a much bigger battery, so Honda seems to be acknowledging Integrated Motor Assist can’t compete with a Ford/Toyota/(Volt) two-motor + e-CVT.
The Prius gets better than EPA in most real-world driving. [www.roadandtrack.com] Meanwhile EPA testing doesn’t reward micro-hybrid stop-start systems where the car burns no gas at a standstill, so few car makers sell them in the USA even though it obviously saves gas and pollution and they’re common on all the European Blu* models.
skierpage
That yellow mark is a California sticker that awards some ‘green’ car drivers the right to drive in HOV lanes without passengers.
CJinSD
I’m surprised she didn’t sue for the paint on her front bumper chipping off after using the car in front of her as a bumpstop when parallel parking.
Maxximtl
That is an interesting detail.
beercheck
Thank you! That’s the key point that Jalopnik left out, hence all the uninformed ranting here against the customer who got shafted.
skierpage
Boo hoo. Fuck her. You can’t sue based on the advertising you read when you first buy a product based on changes made to the product later in its life cycle. If you buy a TV that is advertised as 1080p when you first buy it, then it delivers 1080p for a while until the manufacturer decides something needs to change to prolong the product life and that includes disabling the 1080p, you can’t sue because it no longer does 1080p.
Honda knowlingly saved its customers a shitload of money by extending the battery life. Batteries cost a lot more than a few extra gallons of gasoline.
#RTFinePrint
jodark
Right, and Honda “fixed” the deteriorating battery problem in a software update by running the gas engine more, worsening the MPG. Both Jalopnik and LA Times left this out.
skierpage
That is awesome! Finally someone steps up to those false advertising hybrid crap! An old CRX would do over 30 MPG if driven right and cost 20k less so she got the right price back for a new Civic shit box!
I despise lawsuits against individuals for stupid reasons but she was promised 50 MPG and should have at least gotten 40 and paid more for that so its just setting things right.
F150HD
The mpg dropped after Honda’s 2010 software update. That’s a key part of her case that Jalopnik left out.
skierpage
[www.dontsettlewithhonda.org] has her bullet points. I don’t know why it doesn’t lead with Honda’s software update that avoided battery degradation by running the engine more, at the cost of worsening the mpg. Their IMA system just doesn’t work as well as Ford and Toyota’s e-CVT.
skierpage
The key fact is Honda “fixed” its substandard IMA system in an update to avoid early battery breakdown by making the engine run more, thus worsening its MPG even more than its optimistic EPA rating.
The plaintiff is not a loon, Honda knowingly screwed its customers to save $$$. Easy for you to criticize her when you didn’t suffer.
skierpage
But I think it has more to do with how honda was selling the Car, Most major car companies push the EPA estimate, like that is the gas mileage your going to get, they use deceptive wording to make you think your getting a better car.
Assassin_Kensei
The key fact is Honda “fixed” its substandard IMA system in an update to avoid early battery breakdown by making the engine run more, thus worsening its MPG even more than its optimistic EPA rating.
Read [www.dontsettlewithhonda.org] and tell us how you’d feel if it happened to you. Honda knowingly screwed its customers, and Ms. Peters got an appropriate settlement.
#RTFA
skierpage
It’s nothing to do with CARB, it’s Honda “fixing” its substandard IMA system to avoid early battery breakdown by making the engine run more, thus screwing up its MPG even more than its optimistic EPA rating.
Go read [www.dontsettlewithhonda.org] and tell us what’s wrong with her suit.
skierpage
I just…what….they seriously passed this?…..aghhhh…..brain hurts…..from trying to comprehend…..so much stupidity……
Why oh why does such a beautiful state have to be so full of fucking morons? Every judge in that state should be stripped of their powers and placed on a deserted island where they can’t do any more damage to the legal system. God I hope Honda’s appeal is successful.
CABEZAGRANDE
C’mon Matt, you (and the LA Times) are completely misreporting the story!
“THIS CASE IS ABOUT HONDA’S SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT DECEPTIVELY REDUCED THE MPG IN 2010:
Even if Honda’s advertising was totally honest at the point of sale (which it was not), last year Honda tricked Civic Hybrid owners into doing an irreversible software update. The letter said that the update would “help prevent early IMA battery deterioration”. This sounded great, but Honda didn’t tell us that it would do this by reprogramming the engine to use more gas and would drastically reduce MPG. Owners like Ms. Peters report that they get less than 30 MPG since the update, practically half the 50 MPG advertised. A Honda Certified Technician confirmed this at trial.”
Numerous other web sites have corroborated these details. Don’t be lazy.
#corrections
skierpage
Win or not….
These court cases are the most retarded things to ever cross my eyes.
I remember reading about a lady and a minister suing a guide-dog school because a blind man stepped on her foot and she’s suing for pain and suffering over the incident. The blind man was being led by a guide dog.
If that lawsuit is true, I wanna slap her in the face. That’s some poor-ass judgement. AND it’s an example of how stupid lawsuits are these days.
Troll is English for Troll
sorry…should have explained car mecca…hot rod central in the 40s-50s-60s, several car factories at one time, all sorts of bands singing about little ladies from pasadena,
Stig-a-saw-us wrecks
I’ve always been better or at least on par with EPA numbers… I drive like a normal person…
bemis
You didn’t read the article did you? EPA publishes the numbers and Honda has the choice of reprinting them. What the EPA concludes is a mileage estimate is the maximum legal number a manufacturer can claim on window stickers and advertising. Any number below this is acceptable.
Br1zon
Yes, I read it. But Honda had to have had SOMEONE in court, right? An engineer, an accountant, a janitor, anyone that could simply ask the judge if HE ever obtained the MPG that the EPA got on HIS vehicle and MANDATED the manufacturer put on the window sticker…
This is not a HONDA problem, this is a regulatory issue.
Savant-Idiot
Love MR. Colbert!
Gingernator, The RX-8 Hoonigan
They must have sent the fucking intern to have lost this case…
Br1zon
I’m convinced California actually just hates everything that makes sense.
Br1zon
did you read the article?
“Unlike a class-action lawsuit, small claims court usually allows an individual to file a complaint without having to hire an attorney. In the case of L.A. County, for instance, even Honda wasn’t allowed to use a lawyer in court.”
Assassin_Kensei
From the EPA website:
“Every new car and light-duty truck sold in the United States is required to have a fuel economy label. The label (or “window sticker”) contains the miles-per-gallon estimates that are designed to help consumers compare and shop for vehicles.”
“EPA is responsible for providing the fuel economy data that is used on the fuel economy label (or window sticker) on all new cars and light trucks.”
If the government would simply reduce the ridiculous amount of regulation, mandate that vehicles perform within a percentage of advertised numbers on a closed course test and let the market do its magic, we would all be much better off. But in a true nanny-state regulatory nightmare, the “rules” are so convoluted that even the EPA admits that its testing is inadequate and is way behind the technology curve. Despite the admittedly inaccurate figures generated by this bloated and inefficient behemoth, automakers are REQUIRED to use their data.
This woman is a loon, the judge that allowed her argument is an imbecile, and the consumer (you and I) will be far worse off for her actions. I’m sure that there are politicians right this minute crafting regulations that will prevent even one more consumer from getting even one mile per gallon less than promised by the EPA…er, I mean the automaker.
Savant-Idiot
Don’t you know the ONLY reason anybody files a lawsuit or claim these days is because they want more money?
Br1zon
Stifler’s Mom Drives a Civic Hybrid
isuee94
Stifler’s mom drives a Civic?
isuee94
Um. Car Mecca? They’ve always had ridiculous laws and ridiculous drivers… I have NEVER been to a state with more criminally negligent drivers in my life. I recall reading about 247 fender benders in a single rush hour morning because it had rained one centimeter.
Br1zon
I had no idea Stifler’s Mom was suing Honda…
bemis
First CARB passes its ridiculous rules regarding CO2 emmisions/electric cars this week, now this? How did CA go from being car mecca to car hell?
Just for these bits of asshattery, here is some coal for Cali’s stocking
Stig-a-saw-us wrecks
shes definitely a level 999 bitch
TyFC3S
As an uncle who helps out his sister, Trust me I know the person. I can spot them a mile away. And this lady, is that person.
vdiddy210 – Professional Blog Commentator
Someone needs to go and put a bullet in her fucking head.
#kidding
#onlysortof
She likely wasn’t driving her cars under the same conditions that the EPA tested it. Nobody does, that’s why they’re estimates. That MPG number is inseparable from the controlled experimental conditions. It is meaningless without it. EPA MPG says that, “If you drive your car in the same manner we did, you will get this number.” NOT, “If you drive your car however the fuck you like, you will get that number regardless.”
Scorpio GTX1
This should be hilarious, please continue…
underwear-ninja
Then who represents the multi-national conglomerate in small claims court?
jodark
Did you even read the article? Small claims court. No lawyers.
NTIV10
wow, she just looks like such a bitch…
peter314
It must be that vtec kicking in, yo.
mr.slowly
The Irony about this story, according to stories from NPR, is that when asked if the decision would change anything, that is if she won would she use the money and get a different car she said “no”. Clearly it can’t be that bad.
HammerheadFistpunch
Someone needs to go and put a bullet in her fucking car.
Firstly, She should be suing the EPA, not Honda.
Secondly, and most importantly, every party in this travesty (plaintif, defendant, counsels, and judge) is comprised entirely of EPIC FAIL.
And seriously, what kind of defense counsel can’t get this steaming crockpot full of fried legal shit thrown out?
*Edit* Ok, so CaliFAILia doesn’t let people bring lawyers to small claims court. Who does a multi-national conglomerate send to small claims court to represent itself?
jodark
my best has been 45, but I did 600 miles @ 80 (legal) mph doing it.
HammerheadFistpunch
According to her website: THIS CASE IS NOT ABOUT THE WINDOW STICKER! Honda has defended this case by presenting a giant blow-up of the window sticker (with small print that is still hard to read) and simply stating that Honda has no choice” but to use the EPA figures. “We have to put these numbers on the label,” argued technical specialist Neil Schmidt. “Not so, countered an EPA spokesman, who said that federal mileage testing provides only the maximum number a maker may quote. If a vehicle is more likely to deliver 35 in real-world conditions an automaker has the right to go with that figure, though sticking with an EPA-sanctioned 40 MPG is more likely to catch a consumer’s eye.” As MSNBC has reported in Lies, Damned Lies and Fuel Economy Numbers. See also, 40 C.F.R. Sec. 600.210-08.
So, They can post worse numbers, but they can’t post higher than the EPA numbers. I wonder if any manufacture in the history of the EPA has ever posted worse numbers than the EPA numbers. no.
HammerheadFistpunch
caption contest?
“TWO INVISIBLE VERGES!”
Disgruntled SnapUndersteer
strange, most people don’t seem to have the same problems you do…Granted its not 50 mpg, but its not 30. most people (115 who put in their own numbers) are averaging 45
[www.fueleconomy.gov]
HammerheadFistpunch
D:
D
I’m sure someone said it already, but 3 invisible dicks. /obligatory
FordRunner
She is a lawyer. Lining her own pockets and posing for cameras after a B.S. win in a B.S. lawsuit.
EPA provides the numbers and MANDATES Honda publish them.
Savant-Idiot
This lawyer did what lawyers do, create frivolous lawsuits, clog the courts with non-issues and pose for the cameras. This “lawsuit” is pure staging on the part of this ambulance chaser and the judge should have seen right through it.
Honda is mandated to use the mileage figures generated by the EPA on all of their advertising and posted on the vehicle window sticker. The EPA tests are like all other government numbers; pure bullshit. Anyone who has ever driven a car knows this. I believe there is even a disclaimer saying that the numbers are for “comparison only and your actual mileage may vary”.
[www.epa.gov]
This sounds to me like an iron-clad defense. But then again O.J. got away with murder…
Savant-Idiot
As P.J. O’Rourke said – The only thing not allowed in small claims court is a lawyer, something even the best restaurant in town can’t brag.
leicester
Honda should have just replied: Its a honda what do you expect?
T6 EVO
“I bought my car and it doesn’t get the mpgs that Honda said it would* so I took them to court!”
*Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
This is why California hates cars.
Party-vi
EPA does the testing. This is from the EPA website (link provided):
“EPA is responsible for providing the fuel economy data that is used on the fuel economy label (or window sticker) on all new cars and light trucks.”
[www.epa.gov]
As I said, this was a B.S. lawsuit.
Savant-Idiot
While I’m definitely interested in this from a legal standpoint, the fact that she’s a lawyer kind of puts a damper on it, especially considering that it’s going to be appealed. Sure, she may be able to represent herself throughout the appeals process, how many other people can?
I doubt Honda has much to worry about, because I doubt many people will want to hire an attorney for a small claims appeal. They’d forfeit their entire award and then some to pay attorney’s fees, if they even win in the first place to get to the appeals stage.
Nedus
“In the case of L.A. County, for instance, even Honda wasn’t allowed to use a lawyer in court.”
So did Mr. Honda actually have to show up in court? Was it one of the engineers? Or was Honda not allowed to be represented at all.
Darth Sethius
This is dumb the dumb woman obviously isn’t going to get near it because she’s probably not even driving it frugally. I can get my 07 Civic LX between 36.6-39.5 MPG and that’s just going at 75 on highway and slow acceleration (no higher than 2000 RPM till higher than 65 MPH). Besides buying a hybrid was mainly meant for the in city drive, which we don’t know where her commute was at all.
DinRyu
Xedicon
I wonder if I can sue if I don’t obtain the same skid pad g-force in my car as the manufacturer did. Just let me throw on these 15″ wheels with 135/80 R15 8000 treadwear rated tires and we’ll settle up!
Xedicon
EPA ratings only seem to be rough estimates. Also, you need to factor in the type of gas and temperature. In the summer I average 7mpg over what the EPA estimates, while in the winter I’m at or below EPA estimates because of winter blend gas and colder temperatures.
teencarfreak
You’re turned on aren’t you…
Xedicon
Yes!
We could also use that suit as precedent for suing Ford to bring over the Falcon!
Xedicon
Haha thought the same thing. So pumped for the American Reunion movie.
cluelessk
I’m of two minds about this, and one more dirty mind about a “what has two thumbs” joke, but anyways…
EPA ratings suck ballz. We all know this. It’s pretty much common knowledge, even outside Jalopnik Awesome Sauce Wonder Land (JASWL – tm) that the EPA rating is near impossible to obtain, regardless of the vehicle in question.
Additionally, “real world” MPG figures are VERY easily obtained on-line from car reviews. With this being one of the earlier hybrids available, somehow I think this information was out there. I know there was supposedly some update to the car that made the MPG worse, but if her problem is with the original proposed number (and it is) and not the drop in economy, she could have discovered the difference before she even bought the car.
So what has two thumbs and enjoys a good – nah wait I can’t do it!
Xedicon
LOL… I laugh at Hybrid owners… Had she bought a Diesel this wouldn’t be a problem. I took a 130 mile trip yesterday. I kept it under 70 and made a few stops and averaged 53.5 MPG! Jetta TDI’s Rule!
IamDashSR
Stifler’s Mom won her court case, huh?
agc911
I like her moxie. However I’m kind of torn. I have the same car (’06) and indeed it’s best ever mileage (slow-ish freeway slog) was 45. But to be fair, EPA #’s are, how do I put this, stupid. Just a benchmark, really. Like calories on the Stairmaster. So why wouldn’t a car maker advertise the EPA’s #s? I would love to get her bullet points on her argument. To me, it’s the EPA’s fault by having a dumb system of testing that isn’t realistic.
FWIW my mixed driving average according to the car’s trip computer is 36.8. It’s also the 2nd most reliable car I’ve ever owned. First was a ’73 Squareback I bought in ’91. It got maybe 25 mpg and barfed out pollution worthy of 1925 Pittsburgh steel mills.
dry guy
I don’t think it will hold up on appeal. Automakers MUST use the government test results and NO OTHER in their literature. It is known that the test procedure was originally very inaccurate for hybrids. Honda can argue that they were simply doing what was required under the law.
She could try suing the EPA.
jayh6
would like to see them publish MPG for gas part and miles/kWh for the electric part of the car
ryguy85
I dont really get it, everyone complained about the EPA ratings a few years ago and had them all lowered. I get the advertised window sticker ratings on my 1989 vehicles, before they lowered the ratings. The ratings are very realistic as long as you dont drive 85MPH, shift at redline, and leave the AC on everywhere you go. My F-150 was rated at 15/19 and that’s nearly exactly what I get. My Thunderbird was rated at 19/29, I get 24 combined mostly city driving, and into the mid 30s on the highway at a reasonable rate of speed.
This lady seems like one of those people that think that because they have a hybrid they can drive 90MPH and still get ridiculous fuel economy. Truth is, her car at 90MPH SHOULD be getting worse fuel economy than my heavy American 17 foot long 1989 Ford Thunderbird…
Reminds me of that top gear episode where the Prius got worse fuel economy than an M3 around their test track, no shit.
RaptorConner
I loved that car. I could chirp the wheel in upshifting into 2nd and 3rd with 89 stock hp!
UW Huskies – HuckNroller
I say good for her. This is a win for us, the consumer. The EPA needs to adopt a more accurate MPG testing strategy, or possibly a different one for hybrid models. Who cares if a car can get “up to” 50MPG on some BS laboratory test. Please give us accurate, real world driving ratings, and companies stop marketing BS results to increase your sales.
ksnippy
Agreed.
If you don’t drive in the exact environment in which the EPA tests, it’s gonna vary.
Hell. Looks like I may crack 23 MPG on this tank in the STS N*, though that’s via the onboard calc, which is always at least 0.5-0.8 high.
C³ – Cool Cadillac Cat
.
Xander Crews, Proud of BOXER
You go, girl. Not that I’m a big fan of lawsuits but I’m really tickled to see that she opted out of the ‘settlement’ (read: lawyers lining their pockets) and went on her own.
Slave2anMG
Clearly says estimated mileage and it’s not Honda who comes up with the numbers. If you are unable to replicate the EPA’s ratings, you should take it up with them.
Xander Crews, Proud of BOXER
So I read this
[articles.latimes.com]
and with 200,000 cars sold and and est. 500,000 people who could file claims it is still a fiscal toss up as to cost of claims vs. cost of repairs.
ne1245
Yes!
TBIburnoutmachine
Can we sue GM into importing the Ute?
I feel my rights have been violated by their manipulation of the auto market. The government needs to legislate RWD car-trucks NOW!
TRAMS_AM
Do you know who has two thumbs, owns a Civic Hybrid and is disappointed by it’s mileage?
This Girl!
LSXforYourSuperCar
I think honda screwed themselves with the mileage rating on this car. If you take a look at the website the hybrid is rated at 44/44. That means the customer is going to expect no less than 44 MPG since the city mileage is normally worse than highway and this usually sets a good minimum for daily driving. My car has never averaged below its city mileage rating unless I was really flooring it (aka atypical driving conditions). Then again, its only rated 19/25…
edit: People on forums seem to be getting mileage in the mid to low 30′s. That does seem abnormally low…
knyghtryda
Was she in the car? I don’t think any car manufacture will ever get their advertised MPG if she is in their car.
raytheater
Eh, i don’t think that the EPA actually does any testing. They give the companies guidelines, which i’m sure can be massaged to get better-than-real-world numbers.
electricworry
Agree to both. The EPA told Honda what the fuel economy numbers were, not the other way around
ryguy85
“smug mom who is on the PTA board and no one likes.”
Thank you, sir for agreeing with me on my most hated kind of person.
Anonylicious
Moral of the story: Honda’s hybrids suck.
Buckus
I do not want to live on this planet anymore.
MR2-Driving Brony
My first thought as well. The EPA tests are done in controlled settings and rarely reflect real world driving.
Hard to understand how Honda didn’t use that as a defense…
This was a B.S. lawsuit
Savant-Idiot
Isn’t there always a disclaimer saying your actual mileage may vary? It’s all in how you drive the damn thing. Did I mention that that suit she’s wearing makes her look like a single middle-aged, unmarried, disgruntled, multi-cat owner?
evil2win
From what I remember the problem was the batteries. Honda admitted that the batteries on the 2006 and 2007 (2008?) seemed to fail quicker than expected and wouldn’t hold a full charge. On the Honda hybrids if the batteries don’t get a full charge they don’t engage the electric motor as often or for as long resulting in lower gas mileage. That’s why there was a class action settlement.
I think these small claims and the settlement will add up to less than the cost to recall and replace the batteries.
ne1245
Shouldn’t she be suing the EPA, who makes the mileage estimate that Honda advertises?
Baja Bug, hooning a Crown Vic for the week.
No, it’s just really bad Flash, lol. It’s painful to look at.
foolio1
I say good for her. Make a claim, back it up, and hopefully force a conversation to more real world MPG testing and certification.
11thRS
That’s quite true. I read somewhere that she’s a lawyer herself.
teampenske3 – RIP Dan Wheldon
The problem with hybrid Civic is that Honda updated the software to reduce usage of battery power because the battery did not seem to last long when under the load which gives it 50 MPG. So they changed software to decrease usage of battery (to protect themselves from warranty claims) which lead to decreased MPG (because it limited usage of the electric engine/battery). It went down to about 30s
wickedme91
My thoughts exactly.
lonestranger
The problem with hybrid Civic is that Honda updated the software to reduce usage of battery power because the battery did not seem to last long when under the load which gives it 50 MPG. So they changed software to decrease usage of battery (to protect themselves from warranty claims) which lead to decreased MPG (because it limited usage of the electric engine/battery). After the update, MPG went to around 30s…
wickedme91
thought the same thing. And isn’t a mileage rating an “estimate” precisely to guard against these things?
and besides, 10 bucks says she drives like an idiot who thinks she’s saving the world because she has a hybrid and ergo doesn’t adhere to ANY standards of high efficiency driving.
look at her, she looks like a smug mom who is on the PTA board and no one likes.
vdiddy210 – Professional Blog Commentator
Hybrid MPG varies outrageously with style of driving & air temp.
Prius tankfuls vary between 35 – 65 MPG (way higher in summer).
The article doesn’t say what her MPG actually was. Neither does it state the number of tankfuls (or years or mileage) on which she based her complaint.
Shouldda gotten a Toyota.
spectra
The problem with hybrid Civic is that Honda updated the software to reduce usage of battery power because the battery did not seem to last long when under the load which gives it 50 MPG. So they changed software to decrease usage of battery (to protect themselves from warranty claims) which lead to decreased MPG (because it limited usage of the electric engine/battery)
wickedme91
YMMV
ejp hates automatic transmissions
Actually my mom’s Prius gets the advertised MPG (around 50), sometimes even higher. The problem with hybrid Civic is that Honda updated the software to reduce usage of battery power because the battery did not seem to last long when under the load which gives it 50 MPG. So they changed software to decrease usage of battery (to protect themselves from warranty claims) which lead to decreased MPG (because it limited usage of the electric engine/battery)
wickedme91
I want to sue her for being so conniving.
Xander Crews, Proud of BOXER
Woman buys hybrid and sues because it didn’t get an MPG that isn’t even believable…Too easy
Dr. Oppo-puss now owns a WRX
Speaking of minds being full of f*ck.. Who the shit designed her website?? It looks like someone had explosive HTML diarrhea.. I mean, just look! [www.dontsettlewithhonda.org]
pikguard
Doesn’t the EPA rate gas mileage? Why is Honda on the hook for this?
thomboy
Wait, she’s not getting advertised MPG, so she can sue for it?
I can just see every car owner in America suing now. My 2008 Mazda advertises 29mpg highway, but I don’t get that. In truth its due to a variety of conditions and the EPA rating only takes into account a few.
Wait, shouldn’t she have sued the EPA, since they are the ones who made that rating? Honda didn’t.
I guess what I’m saying is the same thing as Yurikaze.
marcusmiller360
Amen. Though equipped with the 1.5 carb’d engine, I still pull hella miles out of my ’87 rexxie. If I could have found an HF, I’d have taken it.
crazedclay
Well its about damn time. Hopefully the next one comes about because of the “all new” marketing. The stuff car companies in general get away with is disturbing.
GaryThedon
Agh. Doesn’t it say on the window sticker that a car can get up to a stated mpg? Who seriously thinks that a car is going to get the shown mpg when stuck in LA traffic with the AC on? Oh. I guess we have a winner…
Yurikaze
Thats my old car, 1986 hf. I could get close to 60 MPG!
Billinker
Shouldn’t people just being suing over the fact that it is representing itself as a “car”? Its a GD embarrassment on four wheels.
grifonik
While extremely interesting from a legal perspective, federal class actions in the US are automatic opt-in. So, you receive the class settlement UNLESS you actively opt-out, and do so on time in accordance with the requirements of the settlement. So, it’s not like there’s going to be some giant number of small claims cases against Honda.
Also, she clearly had her stuff together. Small claims court may be more lax than regular court, but you still have to prove a case with evidence. Which requires a lot of preparation and ability to present a legal claim coherently.
But the most important thing is that while indeed Small Claims doesn’t require an attorney, SM decisions can be appealed into Circuit Court (or the equivalent court of record in the jurisdiction), where the standards are higher and procedure is much stricter. You can still represent yourself, of course, but I’ve seen very few lay people do a competent job of that at the Circuit level.
Not only that, but California is typically a very pro-consumer state. That is definitely not true across the board. What one judge in CA decides in a well-prepared case does not mean a judge in Mississippi will decide the same thing.
BtheD19, V4 power FTW
What a headache for Honda (and potentially everybody else) if this opens a Pandora’s box of small claims cases. It almost seems like a class action would be better.
472CID
I’m pretty sure I can make my current vehicle get ZERO miles per gallon. The tires might not make it either, but that odometer will not have moved at all…
grifonik
Now she can buy a REAL 50 mpg Honda.
D
um…why isn’t this an issue with every car company?
uziy16
Moral of the story: don’t buy a hybrid because they suck.
Seriously though, hybrid MPG figures are notoriously high because the EPA fuel economy test is more suited to the way a hybrid power train works.
Zero