Brake fluid changing color

Do you have an owners manual ?
It should have a maintenance schedule.

If it is the original fluid, you are WAY past the recommended change interval ........which likely is 4 years at most.
Not unusual for the color to change over time.
Engine oil too. And transmission too.

 

there is no recommended change interval. do YOU have an owners manual?

 

160 bucks isn't bad for a dealer. how many miles on her? i would probably do it.

 

That's not bad, a little high. Make sure going in that's the firm price: "our" dealership will quote a price, and then tack on "shop supply charge" and cost for for fluid. I mean c'mon.

Anyway, brake fluid ages. Toyota Canada used to say zip about brake fluid, that was the case with our 2010. But a few years later flip-flopped; this is an excerpt from 2014 Prius Owner's Manual Supplement (roughly comparable to Toyota USA's Maintenance and Warranty Booklet):


BTW, see the Brake Service interval, just above? In the States there's a similar interaval, albeit tri-yearly or 30K miles. This is a full inspection, not the look-over during wheel rotation.

 

Will change color with age.
Also the color change can occur from the determination of the rubber components in the system.
Water can also be absorbed through the rubber components, such as the caliper piston seals, even as you say you never opened the system.
Light brown, I wouldn't worry.

FWIW, above I see Toyota recommended a 3 year change interval, that is prudent.
One standard is every two years.

So based on your years, you can make an informed decision as to when to flush.
Dealership rate? I guess 1.5 hours. Remove 4 rims, flush and bleed, plus a quart of fluid and those shop supply fees.

Good luck.

 

Every 5 years 60k miles is enough if you live in mountains, 10 years/100k miles in flat dry area.
This guy measure the water and additive contents after 200k miles, practically still good brake fluid even with brownish normal color.

100K maint - 1

One thing about Toyota brake system, it has real good seals unlike GM or German cars. Brake fluid change is never explicitly recommended in USA until we do some repair in caliper or brake lines.
Toyota brake has more problems on stuck sliding pins, jammed hardware/pads instead of brake fluid related problems.