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Updated: 6:05 PM Jan 3, 2012
Woman Sues Honda in Unlikely Place: Small Claims
A Los Angeles woman who expected her hybrid Honda Civic to be a high-mileage machine has taken her case against the automaker to small claims court.
Posted: 6:04 PM Jan 3, 2012Reporter: Associated Press Email Address: news@kolotv.com |
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3 Comments 
TORRANCE, Calif. (AP) - A Los Angeles woman who expected her
hybrid Honda Civic to be a high-mileage machine has taken her case
against the automaker to small claims court.
Experts say the unusual legal move could make it easier to prevail and could open the door to a flood of similar claims.
Heather Peters argued Tuesday that her 2006 vehicle was expected
to get 50 mpg, but barely got 30 mpg. She says she wouldn't have
bought the car if its mileage was advertised.
Honda engineer Neil Schmidt says Peters' claim is excessive for a 6-year-old car.
There was no immediate ruling in the case in Torrance, American Honda Motor Co.'s West Coast headquarters.
Peters is seeking $10,000. Plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit are eligible to get up to $200 cash and a rebate to purchase a new Honda.
Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Latest Comments
I read an article about this controversy too. A while ago, I came across a post entitled Woman sues Honda in small claims court. The woman in Los Angeles disgruntled with fuel mileage claims made by Honda took a fresh approach to take the car maker to small claims court. She has dropped out of a proposed class-action suit to be able to go after the unique redress for her lawful claim. Not only that, she is also encouraging other Honda owners to follow in her footsteps. If she is successful, it could trigger a ton of difficulties for the Japanese car maker. Indeed, this could give a whole new headache with a pain scale of 10 to an industry already tired of government mandates, forced recalls and unending litigation.
The good thing about a small claims action is that it cuts out the lawyer. But really? 50 mpg? Even the new Volkswagen diesels don't get that.
