2008 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#5 most-complained of 21 Tacoma years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Toyota Tacoma has a Complaint Index of 80, ranking 5th worst of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners most often reported Suspension, Wheels & Tires problems (30% of complaints), followed by Engine issues (22%), across 11 recall campaigns.
- Complaints
- 446
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 48 / 6
- Injuries / deaths
- 27 / 4
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 20 hwy
Top 2008 Toyota Tacoma problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires135 (30%)
- Engine99 (22%)
- Structure & Body77 (17%)
- Other48 (11%)
- Steering40 (9%)
- Electrical System36 (8%)
- Brakes30 (7%)
- Airbags29 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (5%)
- Fuel System13 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden, uncontrolled acceleration while stopped or parking, with the brake pedal unable to stop the truck.
- Some report the vehicle surging forward even after pressing the brake with full force, leading to low-speed collisions.
- Brakes reportedly locked up in wet or icy conditions, causing the truck to slide into trees or off the road.
- Several describe the rear differential or gear failing at highway speed, causing the vehicle to veer and crash into a ditch, in one case with the rear wheel and axle detaching.
- One owner noted the brake and gas pedals sitting close together, making it easy to press both at once while wearing wide-soled footwear.
2008 Toyota Tacoma recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
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.
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
- NHTSA 14V743000Nov 19, 2014Structure & Body3,233 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
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.
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
- NHTSA 14V604000Sep 29, 2014Suspension, Wheels & Tires710,711 vehicles
Suspension:rear:springs:leaf spring assembly:leaf
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.
Risk: If the fuel tank leaks fuel from being punctured, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will install new rear leaf spring assemblies. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
2008 Toyota Tacoma fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
- Compared with other Tacoma model years, 2008 ranks 5th worst out of 21 years with a Complaint Index of 80, earning an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Tacoma?
- NHTSA data shows Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints make up 30% of all reports, followed by Engine issues at 22% and Structure & Body issues at 17%.
- How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Tacoma have?
- NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2008 Toyota Tacoma, covering areas including Structure & Body, Suspension, Airbags, and Seat Belts. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Toyota Tacoma should I avoid?
- Among Tacoma years, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2024, and 2025 also carry Avoid verdicts, with 2024 having the highest Complaint Index at 100. The 2008 model, with an index of 80, ranks 5th worst.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Toyota Tacoma?
- EPA rates the 2008 Toyota Tacoma at 18 mpg combined (16 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,600.