Recall 10V499 covers 728,544 2004-2006 Toyota and Lexus vehicles for brake master cylinder seal leaks. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 728,544 2004-2006 Highlander, Avalon, Rx, Gs, and Is vehicles because certain replacement brake fluids can dry the brake master cylinder rear seal and let brake fluid leak into the brake booster. The leak can change brake pedal feel and reduce braking performance, increasing crash risk; the Toyota dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The brake master cylinder on these 2004-2006 Avalon, Highlander, Rx, Gs, and Is vehicles turns pedal force into hydraulic pressure. When you press the brake pedal, a piston inside the master cylinder pushes brake fluid through the brake lines. A rubber seal at the rear of the master cylinder helps keep that fluid contained.
The brake fluid used for this system contains polymers that lubricate certain brake parts. If replacement brake fluid lacks those polymers, or has only a small amount, the rear rubber seal can dry out. As the piston moves, the dry seal can curl instead of staying seated. When that happens, brake fluid can slowly leak past the seal and enter the brake booster, the part that helps reduce pedal effort.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not wait for a clear symptom before checking whether the VIN is included.
Who's affected?
Covers five models across the 2004, 2005, and 2006 model years, all tied to the same hydraulic brake system.
| 2006 Toyota Highlander | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| 2005 Lexus Rx | hydraulic brake system |
| 2005 Toyota Avalon | hydraulic brake system |
| 2006 Lexus Rx | hydraulic brake system |
| 2004 Lexus Rx | hydraulic brake system |
| 2004 Toyota Highlander | hydraulic brake system |
| 2006 Toyota Avalon | hydraulic brake system |
| 2006 Lexus Gs | hydraulic brake system |
| 2006 Lexus Is | hydraulic brake system |
| 2005 Toyota Highlander | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 728,544 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A brake fluid leak can change brake pedal feel and degrade braking performance over time, increasing the risk of a crash. If the pedal feels different or braking feels weaker, stop using the vehicle and call a Toyota dealer for guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Toyota dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander, Rx, Avalon, Gs, or Is is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to ask whether the free brake master-cylinder seal replacement is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 10V499 when you call so the dealer can find the repair campaign.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota or Lexus mailed one, along with any brake-service records for your vehicle.
- Watch for a changed brake pedal feel or reduced braking performance, and leave extra following distance until the seal repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
The dealer process centers on the rear brake master cylinder seal. A Toyota technician replaces the old seal with a newly designed seal to stop brake fluid from leaking into the brake booster. The final dealer repair will be free once available. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, so the service desk should not charge you for the seal replacement tied to campaign 10V499.
Timeline
| October 21, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 15, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V499?
Recall 10V499 covers 728,544 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander, Rx, Avalon, Gs, and Is vehicles with a brake master cylinder seal defect. Brake fluid can leak into the brake booster, changing pedal feel and reducing braking performance. Toyota dealers replace the seal for free.
What should I do if my 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander, Rx, Avalon, Gs, or Is is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 10V499. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer and ask for the brake master cylinder seal replacement. Reference recall number 10V499 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost, and Toyota's remedy states that dealers replace the brake master cylinder seal free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced braking performance. If brake fluid leaks past the rear seal in the brake master cylinder, the brake pedal feel can change, and braking performance can degrade over time. That increases crash risk. Toyota's free repair replaces the affected seal.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Toyota or Lexus vehicle is included, then call a franchised Toyota dealer with recall number 10V499.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V499000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V499 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V499000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →