Honda reaches settlement in Civic Hybrid class-action suit over gas mileage claims in the US

Honda reaches settlement in Civic Hybrid class-action suit over gas mileage claims in the US

Over in the US, according to news reports, a Superior Court judge in San Diego has finalised the approval of a class-action settlement between Honda and Civic Hybrid owners in the US, who claimed that their cars fuel economy was not that which was promised, in this case a combined total of 50 mpg.

The settlement agreement will give owners between US$100 to US$200, as well as a rebate towards the purchase of a new Honda. The ruling covers around 200,000 Civic Hybrids from model years 2003 to 2009, with owners of 2006 to 2008 year models set to get the higher amount due to additional claims over battery defects, the reports add.

The settlement is valued at around US$170 million. It will also award the plaintiff attorneys more than US$8 million.

The case became big news last month after Heather Peters, a Civic hybrid owner who had declined to join the class-action suit, won her case in Small Claims Court against Honda on the fuel economy issue, in which she was claiming against Honda that her 2006 Civic failed to deliver the 50 mpg economy that was promised.

The Los Angeles resident won nearly US$10,000, and Honda has filed an appeal in that case. Unlike Peter’s small claims case, class-action lawsuits only awards claimants against Honda a maximum of around US$200 in compensation, the reports said.

The reports added that more than 1,700 Honda owners opted out of the settlement, some believing that owners should be paid more, while some complained that the attorney fees were too high.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Sgt Scoop on Mar 19, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    $8m for the lawyers and $200 for the people who actually lost out. Only in America!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Better than malaysia, we dont even get a chance to lodge a complaint and get rm200, becos no laws to protect us!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • ezracopters on Mar 19, 2012 at 7:55 pm

        dude..just cuz ur too lazy to research and too stupid to know, doesnt mean ur right.. there is indeed a law that protect consumer, in fact even better that the one that US had – civil court, consumer court KPNKK etc.

        Honda, merc, proton etc or whatever the heck brands that potentially / will be on the lose end usually will try their utmost not to drag the case into the civil court so that their name wont tarnish. that’s why we hardly heard anyone drag auto companies into court in Malaysia.

        p/s : u should read Malaysian Law of Contract sometimes, along with cases record so that u shake off ur stupidity a bit be4 u decide to post anythin again..

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
        • Vincent Ang on Mar 19, 2012 at 10:03 pm

          The settlement with Honda’s customer’s is the result of a class action suit. In Malaysia there are no legal recourse to a law which forces a corporate entity to be responsible for all its affected customers eventhough the civil case is brought up by only one person or a few people The absence of such a law enables corporations in Malaysia to legally hide the shitty quality found in cars registered in Malaysia by arm-twisting the plaintiff into settlements which never come to public knowledge. This is why Proton have been able to get away shoving shit quality cars into the throats of Malaysians for decades. A class action suit ensures that corporations cannot hide unfavorable judgements against them thereby ensuring greater corporate transparency and responsibility when they fuck things up.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
          • ezracopters on Mar 19, 2012 at 11:51 pm

            wrong.. so wrong..

            there are cases that had been trail by the court.. as i said b4, kindly refer to malaysian law of contract..and its related cases..

            just like US Honda case.. consumer was right coz the company state it crystal clear that fuel consumption should be bla bla liter/km in their brochure / flyer / etc.. whilst the real result was not the same. so even in Malaysia, if someone offer something to someone which actually lies and that someone can prove with evidence (black and white, video, audio, etc) they did said otherwise than reality.. we can sue em coz under the law of contract they had promise something in a BLANK STATEMENT to consumer, without contingent (hehehehehehe) and that someone believe it and had paid / spend / exchange something that belong to em’ to had the privilege of the said offering by the company.

            whilst in a case of Proton, power window (before they offer lifetime warranty..) especially.. proton never said everything will be perfect / there wont be any problem etc.. but they did offer after sale service which actually mean nothing to the law. However, after this… if the power window still defected, and any rules that applied havent been breach.. well then, sue la!!!

            and if u dont wanna go thru lot of hassle and fuss.. just make ur complain to E Aduan KPDNKK, and they had a power to settle ur problem under Tribunal Tuntutan Pengguna Malaysia..anf fyi there are lots more gov agencies that had the same power (pre court ) relating to different matter from financial (AKPK??), man power (JTR) etc..

            u just have to know where to look.. and to go.. and whom to talk to.. this is not a politic move, that is gov services!!!

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Vince on Mar 19, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    Yeah!

    We need to have similar consumer protection in the country too.
    Hopefully, manufacturers/distributors or any service providers, will be held responsible for misrepresentation and be liable to it.

    Otherwise, consumers are always being taken for granted and at the losing end!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • alldisc on Mar 19, 2012 at 10:39 pm

      we do have such thing in malaysia, known as the Consumer Claim Tribunal (apology for direct translation) or Tibunal Tuntutan Pengguna. Believe me, the presidents there (or judges) have the same authority just like a judge and arevery very biased towards the consumers.

      they only attend to claims below RM50,000, if the claims are higher than that one have to file the case in magistrate or sessions court.

      The procedures are simple, no need to get lawyer just some proof that you did not get a satisfactory product or service as promised by the other party.

      but hey, to get USD10,000 for claiming Honda hybrids failed to deliver 50mpg is so rare!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Frank S on Mar 20, 2012 at 10:28 am

        TTPM is capped at RM25k, and yes whilst the procedure is easy, it is designed to resolve petty small rogue traders….not disputes with giant corporation like HOnda…

        A case here in Malaysia whereby a lady took her Honda car dealer to TTPM to claim for her loss in a failed IMA battery took a positive turn at TTPM because the arguments are base on facts…but being a wealthy corporation, they appealed against TTPM judgment at High Court and geared up with spins and hair splits arguments via their lawyers to quash the judgments…maybe they will get their way after all….its a shame that our law does not consider what is taking place elsewhere in the world…

        Worst still, media here are reluctant to expose such stories in fear of losing favour for adverts from HOnda… :) so we consumers in Malaysia have a bigger problem actually than them in the US…

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • sudonano on Mar 19, 2012 at 5:59 pm

    So what about in Malaysia? Can we have one of these. So that all of us can claim for all the tim and money we spend to fix our Proton power windows?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Claim la.dont talk only…there is mahkamah pengguna u know…last time i heard from tv news proton lost to customer if not mistaken new persona wiring prob

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • catdog on Mar 19, 2012 at 7:14 pm

        people lov to talk…talk is cheap, only the vy brave can walk de talk… similarly people lov to complain, ask them to do…only vy few wil take de chalnge

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Vincent Ang on Mar 19, 2012 at 10:07 pm

        A makkamah pengguna is NOT confer any power on the part consumers to file a class action lawsuit. Perhaps you should look up the meaning of what constitutes class-action.lawsuits first before you speak

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ben yap on Mar 19, 2012 at 6:15 pm

    this claims should not only in car manufacturers. it should apply to telco too.

    i bet many malaysian telco fail to meet the advertised speed. some advertised 4mbps and get only 1mbps or less.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Lol, where are you ? Maserati? Masked Ryder? I heard you say that Hyundai/Kia are worse than Honda/ Toyota before? See what happened now ?

    Haha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • jtype on Mar 19, 2012 at 7:20 pm

      haha… yea yea and that “Hyundai De La Junk” (aka Honda Saleman) fellow… probably gone to US to help Honda on an appeal

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • http://www.classactioncentral.com/2012/01/lawsuit-accuses-hyundai-of-misrepresenting-elantras-miles-per-gallon/

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • DArkerMarker on Mar 19, 2012 at 8:03 pm

    wonder if can my fren claim for his proton car door handle that broke during 1 year ownership?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • dreaming of maserati on Mar 19, 2012 at 8:18 pm

    this only happen to honda and not the mighty toyota!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Gavin on Mar 19, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    how embarrasing for Honda

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • dreaming of maserati on Mar 19, 2012 at 8:31 pm

    better get a vios TRD!! more style, performance, luxury and fuel efficient than this! not to mention better resale value too!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Those who plan to buy honda hybrid, think again he he!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Wah, very good law.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Insight owners can prepare a suit now.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • alldisc on Mar 19, 2012 at 10:41 pm

      make honda buy back all the cars failing to deliver promised FC.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • It has happened in Malaysia too…

    http://aina-emir.blogspot.com/2011/07/honda-hybrid-saya-hampeh.html

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Frank S on Mar 20, 2012 at 10:22 am

      Actually the mentioned case concerning Puan Latifah’s failed IMA hybrid is still on going…HOnda via Kah Motors has appealed at KL High Court after losing at TTPM, at High Court they can arm themselves with manipulative lawyers to quash the case… so the law is typically tedious everywhere and at the end of the day its a good avenue for lawyers to make money….consumers still get screwed.

      What is really bad is the fact that Honda treats their consumers like shit, worse off here because they sell their cars at premium price to a third world country full of people who earns less than Europe and US, and yet they have the guts to parade their Hybrid cars with false claims etc, and get away with it, simply because the law can protect them…

      It’s about time Honda owners all around have to be clued up and make a pack to defeat the evil Honda Malaysia.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Frank S on Mar 30, 2012 at 11:21 pm

      honda won their appeal at high court, this lady did not gain any compensation…so new precedent to all honda hybrid owners…max coverage for battery up to 140k km…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • d'aboukirs on Mar 20, 2012 at 1:47 am

    why would one own a hybrid or ev car in malaysia? petrol still very cheap, do the life cycle cost calculation for 5 years first la. even with no tax, hybrid or ev would still cost you an arm and leg. then if battery kaput, u only have debt and sadness. look at the US now, the sales of hybrid and ev cars are down so much

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • hybrid user on Mar 20, 2012 at 6:33 am

    What Honda lost out in US is misrepresentation of the product. Maybe they did not put out a small print on the brochure stating *Best effort only (just like our ISP). What I read from news is that they are getting 45mpg.

    50mpg translate to 17.8km/l. For me, I am getting 16.2km/l for mixed driving (around 50% highways). If I drive on highways more, I can get 18.3km/l. During cruising at 110 km/h on highways, I am getting 25 – 26 km/l. So the mileage depends on the roads and the way we drive.

    About the battery life, if you get the IMA light on, just go to the service center. First they will check whether you have the latest software because the earlier version allow the battery to over-discharge and over-charged. If you have the latest software and got the IMA light, they will replace without further question. I got mine replaced November last year for my 2009 Civic hybrid. I enquired and it cost RM6,800 incl installation. Honda Malaysia offered 5 years/140000km warranty for IMA battery.

    In Malaysia, we don’t have proper aftermarket cell replacement companies. In US, there are a few companies where you trade in your old unit for a refurbished one, with all the cells replace with a higher capacity new ones. Some people also replaced their cells DIY (not recommended because of high DC voltage unless you know what you are doing) and the cells are those normal ‘D’ sized NiMH cells for torch lights. Maybe someone should set up one to replace after warranty IMA batteries.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Frank S on Mar 20, 2012 at 11:11 am

      mate, that is nothing to brag about….

      Fiat 500, 1.3multijet diesel – 75mpg / 26.5kmpl
      Vauxhall Corsa, 1.3 ecotech diesel – 72mpg / 25.3kmpl
      Peugeot 5008 1.6HDI diesel MPV – 55mpg / 19.4kmpl

      these cars put hybrid to shame…plus, they have a longer lasting low idle speed diesel engine….and trouble free of expensive battery issue unlike your car. Since your car failed its IMA battery inside warranty, it will definitely do it again after warranty…so who will compensate then? what will happen to your resale price…? FYI, the official price for IMA battery for Civic Hybrid is RM16.2K, uncertain for Insight…but surely is not cheap…rather pay for excise duty to govt than more money to HOnda :)

      ps. Honda software updates will screw up the engine and FC even more…try not to let them do that to your car if possible…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Any similar actions in Malaysia?
    FC is definitely not what they Honda Malaysia promised to Civic hybrid owners here as well.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required