Woman takes unique road to sue Honda over mileage

[nursemike]

Originally Posted by firsthonda

She claims she got poor mileage from day one.

Dont Settle With Honda, Heather Peters

"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."

Here is a statement from the Dontsettlewithhonda.org website and link.

To clarify my previous post, let me add "In my experience and opinion" in front of my statements re" software updates.

I agree that this might sound like an "oh by the way" or backpedaling though.

[nursemike]

Originally Posted by firsthonda

Do you live in a hilly area?

Not really. Northern Illinois, 40 miles out from Chicago. Commute times usually keep me out of the worst traffic.

[firsthonda]

Maybe Honda did screw up in regards the reprogramming? I don't think there are too many HCH's sold. At this point, they would be better off replacing the defective batteries.

I was always under the impression that the Insight 2 was based on a nearly identical(less advanced) IMA system; minus an electric mode for the AC. In theory,(and practice) the HCH should get better MPG.

Perhaps the HCH in its previous configuration is too heavy for the 1.3L ICE? Maybe that's why Hondas went with a 1.5L with the New HCH?

[sunnyboy]

Interesting. She might be too clever to drive

[Jivko57]

I think, all car makers try their best to present their cars in the best light possible. If Honda is to put on their brochure that if you can't use the A/c or the mpg would drop big time , nobody would buy their car. The customers will turn to the competition.

A regular person usually is somewhat prepared for these things and in most cases researches online, talks with friends and checks with other owners to get a feel of the car's real life performance before he makes a decision.

[bryankwalton]

The woman's small claims court judgment has been overturned on appeal:

Honda gets $9,867 hybrid mpg judgement overturned | Fox News

[Cobb]

Thats disappointing. I think she and others had a case. How fair is it to reprogram the computer to save a battery replacement and impact mpg at the same time while you own the car?


Sent from my Autoguide iPod touch app

[bryankwalton]

Here is a through breakdown of the case. Nice write-up.

Honda Wins Appeals Decision in Civic Hybrid Lawsuit: How It Happened - Automotive News