Honda lost a case in a California small claims court this week involving allegations that the automaker misled Civic owners with false claims that the hybrid vehicle would get up to 50 miles per gallon of gasoline.

The small claims suit was brought by Heather Peters, who alleged that her Honda Civic, which was advertised to get as much as 50 miles per gallon, actually got about 41 or 42 miles per gallon at best and averaged only 30 miles per gallon. 

Honda was ordered to pay Peters $9,867 in damages, just a little less than the $10,000 she was seeking - the maximum award allowed in small claims court.

Peters opted to file in small claims court instead of joining a class action case against the auto giant because she could receive more in damages.

She refused to accept the proposed class action settlement, which would have only paid car owners $100 and a rebate on the purchase of a new car, while netting lawyers nearly $8.5 million.

Peters' victory may give rise to similar small claims cases against Honda throughout the nation.