Honda Wins Reversal of Fuel-Economy Verdict

A Superior Court judge in Los Angeles has thrown out a small-claims court verdict of nearly $10,000 against Honda Motor Co. in a lawsuit filed by a Civic hybrid owner because her car averaged less than 42 miles per gallon.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rated the car at 50 mpg. The plaintiff, Heather Peters, claimed Honda misled consumers by advertising "amazing" fuel economy.

The upper court ruled this week that Honda was within its rights to advertise the EPA ratings. The judge says the company's slogans were too general to qualify as specific promises. The ruling is not subject to appeal.

Peters' original win in February received widespread attention when Honda agreed to pay U.S. owners of 2003-2009 model Civic hybrids as much as $200 each to settle a class-action suit about disappointing fuel economy. The company also to extended some battery warranties.

Peters urged Civic hybrid owners to opt out of the class action and pursue individual claims instead. She claims about 1,700 owners have done so.

Honda says it has won all but one of 19 fuel-economy cases in small-claims court this year, losing only to a plaintiff in Santa Barbara, Calif. Seventeen more cases are pending.