(Reuters) – An Australian Federal Court has ruled that Mazda Motor Corp, the local Japanese carmaker Mazda Motor (OTC) Corp, misled its customers about their rights. The country’s competition regulator stated Tuesday.

In October 2019, Mazda was brought before the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. This case was involving 10 Mazda customers and 7 Mazda vehicles.

The court determined that Mazda made 49 misleading or false representations to nine customers, each of whom sought refund or replacement for serious and repeated faults within the first year.

Mazda ignored, or denied the customer’s claims and said that another repair was the only option.

Rod Sims, ACCC Chair of Rod Sims stated in a statement that Mazda’s behavior towards the consumers wasn’t just unacceptable customer service. It was also a grave breach of law.

Mazda Australia stated that it is examining the Federal Court’s findings, but refused to comment.

However, the court dismissed claims by the ACCC that Mazda had engaged in “unconscionable behavior” with its customers. The ACCC will seek penalties or other orders at a later time.