Brake Failure

[IndyAvalon]

I have a 2005 Toyota Avalon Limited that I purchased new 4 years ago. The car has around 23,000 miles on it. Less than 3 months and 1,000 miles ago, I had the dealership replace the brake fluid. Last week, the brakes failed. Luckily, the car was in my driveway at the time, so nothing was damaged. I found that the brake fluid reservoir was totally dry, but I couldn't see any fluid leakage.

The car was towed to the dealership, which informed me that the seals on the brake master cylinder had failed and dumped all of the brake fluid into the brake booster, requiring that both the master cylinder and the booster be replaced at a cost of $1,283. They also said that they knew they had worked on the brakes, so they checked to see if they had done anything to cause the failure, and they determined that they had not.

I've never had to do this much brake work in any car I've ever owned. Is there something the dealership could have done wrong when the fluid was replaced to cause this?

I called Toyota Customer Service and explained the situation. The rep said that although the car was out of warranty, Toyota would be willing to reimburse me for 1/2 of the bill, which would still leave me with a bill that is $642 more than should have to be spent on brakes for a car with such low mileage. The dealership said that they "would work with me." They said that they might be able to give me a coupon for $30 off the bill.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

[Recoiler]

I got 08 XLS, none issues so far.

[dgangle]

A simple phone call got you 1/2 off. Imagine what you could get if you were polite, yet persistant?

Seals in MC's just don't go bad like that and normally when they do it is after decades or +150K. Normally when a MC goes bad it transfers/leaks fluid between the front/rear chambers and the pedal drops slowly when pressing on it steadily...like at a traffic light. They mucked something up and want you to pay for it. If they won't correct on their dime I'd be looking for a differnet mechanic. Maybe they used the wrong fluid or ?????? really hard to tell and they sure ain't going to admit it.

If they won't correct this at no cost to you , I would condsider buying a new OE MC online at a significant savings and source a used booster from a salvage pool/total and install it myself for less that $200-300 total including the beer drank while doing this 45 min job.
Woopeee! A $30 coupon. That's less that 5% off.

[Riick]

Both parts refurbished Under $300
HERE:

MCylinder: http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/rafr...1431771k377613

Booster: http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/de...85c7ab9e&gan=1

....and the STEALER wants over $1,200 ???

It's certainly no wonder why I call them Stealers

[Tom in Tacoma]

Then don't deal with the dealer - go elsewhere or do it yourself.