Toyota RAV4 Brake Master Cylinder Replacement Costs

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

Included for free with this service

Online Booking

Mechanic comes to you

12-month / 12k-mile warranty

Free 50 point safety inspection

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

See availability

Customer Ratings

Brake Master Cylinder Replacement Service

How much does a Brake Master Cylinder Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Toyota RAV4 Brake Master Cylinder Replacement is $313 with $131 for parts and $182 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

Car	Service	Estimate	Shop/Dealer Price
2008 Toyota RAV4V6-3.5L	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$463.62	Shop/Dealer Price$533.83 - $733.93
2008 Toyota RAV4L4-2.4L	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$451.91	Shop/Dealer Price$519.82 - $718.20
2002 Toyota RAV4L4-2.0L	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$538.31	Shop/Dealer Price$627.85 - $891.06
2001 Toyota RAV4Electric	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$541.51	Shop/Dealer Price$631.85 - $897.45
2011 Toyota RAV4L4-2.5L	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$451.91	Shop/Dealer Price$521.77 - $721.61
2016 Toyota RAV4L4-2.5L Hybrid	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$2971.59	Shop/Dealer Price$3669.63 - $5757.93
2003 Toyota RAV4L4-2.0L	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$562.61	Shop/Dealer Price$658.25 - $939.69
2015 Toyota RAV4L4-2.5L	Service typeBrake Master Cylinder Replacement	Estimate$684.01	Shop/Dealer Price$809.98 - $1182.45

Show example Toyota RAV4 Brake Master Cylinder Replacement prices

What is the brake master cylinder and how does it work?

The brake master cylinder has a piston that pressurizes fluid in the brake lines to each wheel cylinder as you apply force to the brake pedal. That pressure moves the pistons that are in the wheel cylinders. As the pistons in those wheel cylinders move, they force the brake pads or shoes tightly against the rotors or drums allowing the car to stop quickly.

The size of the pistons in the master cylinder and in the wheel cylinders are carefully selected when designing a car. This allows drivers to apply moderate pressure on the brake pedal when stopping, but creates tremendous pressure applied at the wheel cylinders. A car can then stop quickly even at high speeds. Depending on how much force is applied to the brake pedal, the pressure in a car’s brake lines will typically be in the range of 800 PSI to 2,000 PSI.

Master Cylinder

When to replace the master cylinder?

External fluid leaks. There should be no fluid visible on the external surfaces of any portion of the master cylinder or the plastic fluid reservoir.
Low, slowly falling, or spongy brake pedal. Faulty internal seals on the piston can cause internal leaks and also seepage of brake fluid into the power assist brake booster. Internal leaks will typically be accompanied by a low pedal, a spongy brake pedal, or a pedal that slowly sinks as you maintain pressure. In all cases, you will experience reduced braking abilities.
Discolored brake fluid. No brake fluids, other than those specified for the year, make, and model, are fully compatible with a car’s internal rubber seals in the master cylinder. Discoloration of brake fluid can also occur due to moisture and particulate contaminants in the fluid.
Warning lights on the dash. If the brake system warning light illuminates, there are several potential causes but failure of the master cylinder is in the list of causes that would have to be investigated.

How do mechanics replace the brake master cylinder?

On vehicles with power brakes, the master cylinder is bolted to the metal housing of the power brake booster. There is usually an electrical plug connecting to a brake fluid level sensor on the master cylinder reservoir and that plug must be disconnected.
Once all steel brake lines are disconnected from the master cylinder, the master cylinder is unbolted from the brake booster and removed from the vehicle.
The new master cylinder must be bench-bled to expel air from internal passages that contain the piston. Then the new master cylinder is bolted to the brake booster and the brake lines are reattached. The electrical plug for the fluid level sensor is reconnected.
Whenever a new master cylinder is installed, brakes lines to wheel positions must be bled to remove air, old fluid and contaminants. If your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes, the mechanic may use a bidirectional scan tool during brake bleeding to actuate the ABS pump, thus ensuring that all air is removed from the complex valving in the ABS system.
All brake line connections that were removed during the master cylinder replacement are inspected for any leakage and the vehicle is road tested to ensure normal operation of the brakes.

Is it safe to drive with a master cylinder problem?

No, any fault in the master cylinder, which is part of the braking system creates a safety risk. A fully operational brake system is essential to quickly stopping your car. Driving a vehicle isn’t safe, if the master cylinder is leaking or has other faults, as braking distances might be longer than normal. The braking system on a vehicle is among the most important safety systems and must be fully functional to safely drive your vehicle.

When replacing the master cylinder keep in mind:

The master cylinder is only one component of many in a vehicle’s braking system. During replacement of the master cylinder, all vehicle braking system components should be inspected to ensure maximum braking power is available.
The amount of friction material remaining on the brake pads and brake shoes should be verified.
Brake lines and flexible rubber hoses at each wheel position should be inspected for corrosion and deterioration.
The power brake booster should be evaluated to ensure that power assist is working properly.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee

Meet some of our expert Toyota mechanics

Real customer reviews from Toyota owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(5)

Rating Summary

4

1

0

0

0

4

1

0

0

0

SEE REVIEWS NEAR ME

Rodric

9 years of experience

477 reviews

Rodric

9 years of experience

by Carole Garrison

RAV4 1997 - Brake Master Cylinder - Menifee, CA

Rodric was very prompt, professional, and friendly! Also very knowledgeable and helpful! He did a great job and was super fast! Thank you Rodric I am so happy I gave Your Mechanic a try! I will definitely be recommending this service to others!

Mike

25 years of experience

79 reviews

Mike

25 years of experience

by Shonta Turman

RAV4 2017 - Brake Pads - Farmington, MI

Mike was quick and professional. Checked out my car and provided me with knowledgeable advice. 10 out 10 would recommend! Thanks for the help Mike! 

Gregory

10 years of experience

25 reviews

Request Gregory

Gregory

10 years of experience

Request Gregory

by Alondra Carachuri

RAV4 2016 - Door Lock Actuator - Fresno, CA

Very helpful! Explained the process and answered any questions I had.

William

14 years of experience

95 reviews

Request William

William

14 years of experience

Request William

by Kia Griffin

RAV4 1998 - Power Steering Fluid Service - Denver, CO

Fast and efficient.

Excellent Rating

(5)

Rating Summary

4

1

0

0

0

4

1

0

0

0

SEE REVIEWS NEAR ME

Recent articles & questions

What to Look for When Test Driving a Used Car

When When you buy a used car, you should pay close attention to the vehicle to know whether it’s a good deal or not. Ideally, the seller will allow you to take it to a mechanic for a car inspection...

What to Do if Your Car Fishtails

Fishtailing is a type of skidding, usually caused by over-steering in icy weather. Careful adjustment to driving should be taken to stay safe.

Politics and Personal Driving Preferences: Do Republicans and Democrats Drive Different Cars?

Dodge Rams are the most popular car in Republican states; the Toyota Prius is the most popular in Democratic areas (as are hybrids and foreign cars).

Suburban idling high and won't accelerate

The symptoms that you are experiencing with your Chevy have lead me to believe that your Suburban is experiencing issues with its’ Throttle Position Sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/throttle-position-sensor-replacement) (TPS). If the TPS is failing, it will duplicate many of the symptoms that...

Receiving a service stabilitrak/brake system/ traction control simultaneously....started about 2 weeks ago.

Hi there: You would be correct to assume that these warning lights are related. In fact, in most cases, if the right sensor is bad or the electrical connection to the sensor is faulty, it can trigger all three lights....

After changing my battery on my Acura ILX 2014, the display button and backup camera does not work. How do I reset the backup came

If these two malfunctions did not start the instant you installed a new battery, they are probably not related to the battery. The camera is activated in reverse which means the circuit goes through the neutral start switch. That switch...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com