26 state attorneys general object to Honda Civic Hybrid lawsuit settlement

2008 Honda Civic Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Honda Civic Hybrid lawsuit settlement isn't necessarily a done deal. The attorneys general for 26 states have filed an objection to the class action deal that would give people who owned or leased the hybrid sedans small cash payouts up to $500, or a $1,000 rebate if they now buy a new Honda, because of the discrepancy between the EPA's stated MPG rating and the real-life fuel economy of the car. The AGs say that the rebates are not fair because they exclude the Honda models – Honda Fit, Honda Insight, Honda Civic hybrid and Honda CR-Z – that the Civic Hybrid owners "would most likely choose to buy."

Another aspect of the settlement is a $100 cash payout if the driver had complained to Honda about the fuel mileage. The settlement affects the 158,639 people who owned or leased Honda Civic Hybrids from the 2003 through 2008 model years, but Honda says that only 580 people are eligible for the Benjamin.

The two plaintiffs in the case were set to receive $12,500 and $10,000 in the settlement, while their lawyers would get $2.95 million. The attorneys general called the settlement "not fair, adequate or reasonable," saying that the Honda owners don't get enough money while the lawyers get too much.

[Source: Detroit News]

Share This Photo X