UsedScore

2008 Toyota Tacoma: Use caution

Owners filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota Tacoma in its first five years on the road, about 96 for every 100,000 sold: 1.8× the rate of a typical Tacoma year. That's above average, so use caution.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is speed control (47% of complaints, median 16,000 miles).

Complaint index
1.8×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Tacoma year
Rank
13th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
146
first five years; 96 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
11
campaigns
2nd generation, 2005–2015 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab

Photo: 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab · HJUdall, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Speed control47% · 68 complaints · median 16,000 miles
  2. Brakes12% · 18 complaints · median 28,000 miles
  3. Powertrain12% · 17 complaints · median 14,000 miles
  4. Suspension8% · 12 complaints · median 10,000 miles
  5. Engine8% · 12 complaints · median 11,000 miles
  6. Electrical8% · 12 complaints · median 32,000 miles
  7. Air bags5% · 8 complaints · median 60,000 miles
  8. Wheels and tires3% · 4 complaints
  9. Lights4% · 6 complaints
  10. Body and structure3% · 4 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Brakes

Owners of this Tacoma describe a brake pedal that feels soft or sinks low, along with ABS that seems to disengage or hesitate on bumps, ice, or gravel, sometimes leading to close calls or crashes. Dealers frequently reported the brakes tested normal, leaving many owners without a fix.

Warning signs:
Many note a low, soft, or near-floor brake pedal, ABS whining or clicking, and reduced stopping power over bumps, potholes, or icy roads.
What shops did:
Dealers often found nothing wrong or said the brakes were within spec; some replaced calipers, rear drums, master cylinders, or suspension parts without resolving the issue.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 45,000 miles, among 26 complaints that give it

“When I go over a bump, hit a pot hole or am going down a hill with uneven pavement while braking, the ABS will disengage the brakes.”

“The brake pedal goes down almost to the floor, about 2 inched from the floor.”

Powertrain

Owners of this Tacoma describe unpredictable surging, sudden acceleration, and drivetrain noises or failures involving the differential and wheel bearings. Some say dealers couldn't find the problem or called it normal, while others had parts replaced under warranty.

Warning signs:
Many report the engine revving or the truck lunging forward at idle or while stopped, along with vibration, humming, or whining noises from the front end or differential.
What shops did:
Dealers often could not duplicate the surging or acceleration issues, sometimes calling them normal, while some replaced differential gears, wheel bearings, or transmission parts under warranty.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 45,000 miles, among 21 complaints that give it

“Tends to surge when downshifting. This causes the pickup to "jump", particularly when coming to a stop.”

“Part inside differential broke and punched hole in differential case. Differential could have locked up at high speed.”

Speed control

Owners describe their Tacomas suddenly accelerating on their own, especially while braking or parking at low speeds, sometimes leading to crashes. Dealers frequently couldn't reproduce the problem, and even after recall repairs some owners said the surging returned.

Warning signs:
Many report the engine revving or RPMs spiking suddenly, sometimes with tire spin or squealing, before the truck lunges or accelerates unexpectedly.
What shops did:
Dealers often could not duplicate or diagnose the issue, sometimes blaming floor mats or driver error; some vehicles were repaired under a recall for the accelerator pedal, though a few owners reported the problem recurring afterward.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 35,000 miles, among 81 complaints that give it

“The tacoma started to surge. I pressed down on the brake with all my might but the truck would not stop.”

“The engine of my toyota tacoma suddenly revved up to a very high RPM. I jammed the brake down to the floor”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (11)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 16V396000June 20167,749 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.

    Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory.

  • NHTSA 14V743000November 20143,233 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.

    Fix: 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.

  • NHTSA 14V604000September 2014710,711 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.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will install new rear leaf spring assemblies.

  • NHTSA 14V475000August 201420,000 vehicles

    Equipment: other: labels

    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."

    Risk: If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard.

  • NHTSA 13V337000August 2013342,451 vehicles

    Seat belts

    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.

    Risk: If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies.

  • NHTSA 12V092000March 2012495,470 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal

    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 driver’s air bag module. If damage occurs, the air bag warning lamp will illuminate and the air bag may become deactivated.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, the driver’s side air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of personal injury.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the spiral cable assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 11V148000March 201122,000 vehicles

    Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems

    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.

    Risk: Failure to warn of tire deflations is a non-compliance with fmvss 138 and could lead to tire failure increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: For the land cruiser, sequoia, tacoma and tundra vehicles, the dealer will re-calibrate the tire pressure monitoring system on affected vehicles and install an updated tire and loading information label at no charge.

  • NHTSA 10V035000February 2010271,417 vehicles

    Equipment: other: labels

    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.

    Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.

    Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge.

  • NHTSA 10V036000February 2010153,418 vehicles

    Equipment: other: 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.

    Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge.

  • NHTSA 09V388000October 20094,445,056 vehicles

    Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.

    Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

    Fix: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal.

  • NHTSA 09V223000June 200927,080 vehicles

    Equipment: other: labels

    Toyota is recalling 27,080 model year 2005 through 2010 passenger cars built from september 1, 2005 to may 4, 2009. These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims."

    Risk: Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with a new, accurate label to be installed over the inaccurate label free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Toyota sent NHTSA 330 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2008 Tacoma. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • TSB003220 · August 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ?
  • TSB011219 · August 2023TSB: Some 2005 ?
  • TTT063620 · March 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
  • T-SB-0014-22 · March 2022TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly.
  • T-TT-0636-20 Rev · March 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
  • T-TT-0636-20 · December 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
  • T-SB-0112-19 · August 2019TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No.
  • T-SB-0134-16-Rev · July 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ?

All 2008 Tacoma bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2008 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Owners filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota Tacoma in its first five years on the road, about 96 for every 100,000 sold: 1.8× the rate of a typical Tacoma year. That's above average, so use caution. Ratings compare Tacoma years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2008 Tacoma problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve speed control (47%), the brakes (12%) and the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (12%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2008 Toyota Tacoma been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2008 Toyota Tacoma, the most recent in June 2016 (seats). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Toyota. The 2008 Toyota Tacoma on NHTSA.gov · How we rate