Calif. Woman Wins Small-Claims Suit Against Honda
(Los Angeles-WWJ) A Southern California woman who said her Honda Civic hybrid didn't come close to getting the 50 miles-per-gallon the company advertised has won her small-claims court action against the automaker.
A Los Angeles Superior Court commissioner awarded Heather Peters $9,867, ruling that Honda misled her about the mileage her 2006 Civic should have gotten.
In a bold move, Peters opted out of a proposed class-action settlement in an effort to get a bigger award. Honda has offered other disgruntled Civic hybrid owners up to $200 dollars plus one thousand dollars toward the purchase of a new Honda.
"I'm absolutely thrilled," Peters told the Associated press. "Sometimes justice comes in small packages."
Legal experts say it's unlikely that all owners will opt out of the class action in favor of small-claims court, but the California decision could have an impact.
(Copyright 2012 WWJ Newsradio 950. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press Contributed To This Story.)
