Worst 2008 Toyota Tacoma Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Suspension Failures
Unintended Acceleration
Body Structure
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Toyota Tacoma.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 112 | — | 1 | 90,779 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 78 | 27 | 1 | 30,780 mi | |
| Body Structure | 51 | 3 | — | 103,899 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 40 | 2 | — | 100,646 mi | |
| Airbags | 28 | 7 | — | 96,854 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 24 | 1 | 2 | 73,464 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 15 | 1 | 3 | 86,921 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 15 | 3 | — | 27,517 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 13 | — | — | 120,493 mi | |
| Brakes | 12 | 2 | — | 55,688 mi | |
| Fuel System | 11 | 1 | — | 122,973 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 10 | — | — | 69,590 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 8 | 1 | 1 | 94,526 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 8 | 1 | — | 30,086 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 8 | — | — | 8,425 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 7 | 2 | — | 12,666 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 7 | 2 | — | 93,748 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | 1 | — | 107,500 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | 1 | — | 106,313 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 5 | — | — | 191,924 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | — | — | 42,393 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Driveline | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | 2 | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Toyota Tacoma. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2008 Toyota Tacoma
9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,026,449 vehicles.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and 4x4 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion. While being driven, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components including the fuel tank, possibly puncturing the tank and causing a fuel leak.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured September 14, 2004, through March 29, 2010; and model year 2011 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, through September 7, 2011. If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TACOMA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2004, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2008. OVER TIME, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION MAY DAMAGE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY (CLOCKSPRING) THAT POWERS THE DRIVERÂS AIR BAG MODULE. IF DAMAGE OCCURS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG MAY BECOME DEACTIVATED.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FJ CRUISER, LAND CRUISER, TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)." WHEN FACTORY-INSTALLED WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH TOYOTA AUTHORIZED ACCESSORY WHEELS AND LT TIRES PRIOR TO FIRST SALE, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS WERE NOT RE-CALIBRATED CORRECTLY AND THEREFORE DO NOT START ILLUMINATING THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING TELLTALE AT THE REQUIRED MINIMUM ACTIVATION PRESSURE.
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Other Toyota Tacoma Years
2008 Toyota Tacoma — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2008 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
What are common problems with the 2008 Toyota Tacoma?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Toyota Tacoma?
How safe is the 2008 Toyota Tacoma?
Does the 2008 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2008 Toyota Tacoma?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Tacoma reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2008 Toyota Tacoma
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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