San Diego, CA: A proposed settlement has been approved by a San Diego Superior Court judge in a consumer fraud class-action lawsuit brought by Honda car owners against American Honda Motor Co. The lawsuit alleges Honda hybrid vehicles were not as fuel-efficient as advertised and had problems with battery life.
The settlement affects some 460,000 owners and lessees of Honda Civic Hybrids and includes model year vehicles from 2003 to 2009.
According to the terms of the settlement, each class member is entitled to a $100 cash payment and a rebate certificate valued at $500 or $1,000.
Individuals who make up a subclass of the lawsuit, who experienced car problems caused by a software upgrade, could receive an additional $100 and an additional $500 rebate, according to reports.
According to court documents, the total settlement could reach $461.3 million, and includes a net award of attorney fees of more than $8.1 million.