Honda Suffers Devistating Loss in CA Small Claims Court

Photo is property of Honda Sales America.

Well not really. With the latest decision in favor of the Civic Hybrid owner for $9867, Honda really suffers no major loss as a result of this case. The thing people need to realize is that the fuel millage numbers you see on your windows sticker of your shiny new hybrid are the best possible estimates. However, just because your car says you will achieve those numbers does not guarantee anything. Those numbers are compiled while driving an economy run when they are testing the vehicle. Typically most hybrid drivers are not on an economy run because they believe no matter the pressure they put on the gas pedal that they will achieve magical MPG numbers.

The grounds of this lawsuit amaze me because it seems like another case of someone suing because they lack common sense. The McDonald's hot coffee law suit comes to mind for me. One of the main sources of evidence for the Civic owner was a picture of her mpg reading on her car. Your kidding, right? The number can be reset just as easily as you reset your odometer. All you'd have to do is reset the reading and step on the gas for about 100 miles while the reading levels out.

Now don't get me wrong, I cannot stand hybrid cars or electric cars. They are more damaging to the environment to produce and maintain than a regular combustion car. The amount of damage to the earth just from producing the battery for these cars produces more emissions than building a Range Rover and running it for two years. However, this lawsuit does hurt the automotive industry since so many manufactures now produce hybrid cars. There is the possibility that hundreds of thousands of owners could come out of the woodwork and sue Honda America. And where does it stop? Do they start taking on every hybrid on the market. These petty lawsuits on auto manufactures with no warrant (I am not going to say all lawsuits against the auto industry are bad as I do agree with some) just hurt the companies and the economy.

Finally, I just want to point out that you purchased your hybrid for better fuel economy and you were willing to pay the premium price. However, that almost $10,000 check will just go back into the car anyway. Those batteries in hybrids need to be replaced every 5-7 through normal use. The typical cost? over $5,000! If your going to complain about your economy and the price you pay for your car, buy a diesel. They're just as clean now as normal gas burning cars, they're cheaper than hybrids, and you do not have to shell out over $5000 for a battery every couple of years.