I own a 2026 Lexus UX 250h that began making a clanking noise whenever I went downhill or came to a…read moreslow stop. I took my car into the Lexus dealerships in Carlsbad and Escondido. During the ride-alongs, the service advisors claimed they couldn't hear anything, making me feel like I was imagining it. When I brought it back, they told me that clicking noises were normal for a $52,000 luxury vehicle. I even brought in video evidence of the noise, but they dismissed it, saying I could have pulled the clip off the internet. Later, they brought in a master technician from Orange County, who also claimed the noise was normal.
Eventually, as the noise grew louder, I brought the car in again, and they decided to replace both front axles on my brand-new car. The master technician warned me that since I drive so much, the sound might come back--and sure enough, within a week, I heard a popping noise when turning the wheel, and the original clanking sound returned. It reached a point where the dealership wouldn't even bring my car into the service bay; they would just drive it outside and tell me everything was fine. During my last visit, they had me speak with the service department manager.
Frustrated, I began searching for a Lemon Law attorney, but I was repeatedly told that Lexus/Toyota is a difficult manufacturer to fight, and no one would take my case. I finally hired an attorney, but whenever I called for updates, I was never allowed to speak directly with them. They told me I would hear back from Toyota in six months. After six months, Lexus offered a $3,000 settlement under the condition that I could not file another claim against them. My attorney urged me to accept the offer, but I refused and asked to file a lawsuit instead. At that point, the firm informed me that they only handled demand letters--not litigation--which was what Toyota actually required.
I was back to searching online for legal representation and kept getting turned down. As a single woman relying entirely on my vehicle to make a living, I felt completely on my own. I did some research, and an AI search tool suggested I file for arbitration, explaining that if I won, the manufacturer would be bound by a deadline to pay. After reading my rebuttal letter, Lexus emailed me separately to say they would repurchase my car, advising me not to worry about continuing the arbitration process.
However, I insisted on having the arbitrator decide my case, and I won. Unbeknownst to me, the proceeding was conducted under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act rather than California Lemon Law. Under that framework, my payout was calculated based on the mileage at the time of the award (37,000 miles) rather than when I first brought the car in for repairs (20,000 miles). This resulted in an $8,000 deduction for mileage offset. Furthermore, Lexus delayed sending the formal settlement letter. The arbitration team was pressing me to close the case, and since I was told I could still sue later, I signed the paperwork just to move forward. When I finally received the breakdown, the payout didn't even cover my remaining auto loan balance, leaving me to pay $5,000 to the bank out of my own pocket, on top of losing my original down payment. I felt utterly devastated, hopeless, and defeated.
Shortly after, while at a client's house, I mentioned my situation. It turned out they were also fighting a Lemon Law case and recommended I contact Brian Cline. I know it was no coincidence--it was Jehovah who maneuvered that process to guide me to him.
When I called Brian, he was exceptionally kind, understanding, and clear. He explained what Lexus was doing, why they were doing it, and how they had taken advantage of my unfamiliarity with the system (and gently advised me not to rely on AI for legal advice!). He explained that using the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act was completely wrong and that California Lemon Law was the correct law that should have been applied to my case all along.
Brian took my case and filed the lawsuit with the court within weeks, providing clear proof that it was submitted. For the first time in nearly two years, I felt like someone was genuinely on my side and willing to fight for me. Even though there were no guarantees and he took on the financial risk himself, he didn't hesitate to advocate for me.
Brian paired me with Ashley Yaddgo, and together they worked tirelessly. Fighting a major manufacturer like Lexus/Toyota is no small task, but Brian and Ashley stayed on top of every detail, keeping me consistently updated via phone calls and emails.
When Ashley called to tell me that Lexus had settled and shared everything they were able to get back for me, I was literally in tears. Brian and Ashley recovered all of my money. I am still in disbelief at what they were able to achieve.
It is rare to find a firm that genuinely cares about its clients, but Cline APLC truly does. If you need a team that will fight for you are in good hands.
