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Honda Motors loses to Heather Peters in California Small Claim Court lawsuit over mileage performance of Peter's Honda Civic Hybrid (HCH). Peters argued that Honda advertisement claimed that the HCH was able to get 50mpg in the city but she only got 30mpg. Peters also argues that the 2010 software update to her vehicle reduced her HCH fuel efficiency. Peters argued that she should be compensated for the extra fuel cost and that Honda motors should pay her punitive damages as well.

see

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/woman-wins-small-claims-suit-over-honda-civic-hybrid.html

http://www.dontsettlewithhonda.org/

I was amazed that she won!.. but good for her and all troubled Honda owners.

I actually think this is right. Her initial results clearly fall under YMMV, but the degraded performance as it aged is another issue. On top of that, the software update made a clear and noticeable difference in performance. Even more, Honda has a history of not supporting users who have problems with degraded IMA batteries. There IS a problem here.

But the CA small claims law now allows Honda to go to court if they don't want to settle. In either case it isn't going to be good PR for Honda. Should be good for customers in the long run.

Personally I've always figured if you buy "bleeding edge" technology you might find out why they call it that. Cars can be classified, for the most part, as depreciating goods and you take your chances.

I still love Hondas. But I don't love their hybrids quite as much as their conventional cars.
HSD is just SO GOOD. IMA............ well, you know.