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2008 Toyota Tacoma

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota Tacoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 228.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

311 reports with mileage · 134 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

48 crash reports6 fire reports14 injury reports

What owners actually said

445 reports
104,000 miles · Feb 13, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

TRUCK UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATES WHEN BRAKING

NHTSA ODI #11176682

77,900 miles · Feb 9, 2019
Suspension

REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE IN HALF AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST TIRE ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. CUSTOMER PAID FOR REPAIRS WHICH WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND BEFORE THE SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED. CUSTOMER MAILED TO TOYOTA A COPY OF THE REPAIR ORDER, PROOF OF PAYMENT, AND PROOF OF OWNERSHIP AS REQUESTED. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR RE…

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REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE IN HALF AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST TIRE ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. CUSTOMER PAID FOR REPAIRS WHICH WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND BEFORE THE SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED. CUSTOMER MAILED TO TOYOTA A COPY OF THE REPAIR ORDER, PROOF OF PAYMENT, AND PROOF OF OWNERSHIP AS REQUESTED. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #11175906

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2018
Unknown Or Other

SUN VISOR IS DEFECTED. IT'S NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT GOES DOWN WHEN IT GOES IN THE UP POSITION.

NHTSA ODI #11161042

65,000 miles · Nov 28, 2018
Steering

STEERING FELT LIKE IT LOCKED UP WHEN I WAS TURNING ONTO A BUSY ROAD. VERY STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. DRIVING HOME IT CONTINUED TO BE INTERMITTENTLY HARD, THEN EASY, THEN HARD AGAIN, ALL DURING A SINGLE TURN! CAUSED ME TO HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY TURNING. RESEARCH PROVES THIS IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT AND I WONDER WHY TOYOTA HAS NOT ACCE…

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STEERING FELT LIKE IT LOCKED UP WHEN I WAS TURNING ONTO A BUSY ROAD. VERY STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. DRIVING HOME IT CONTINUED TO BE INTERMITTENTLY HARD, THEN EASY, THEN HARD AGAIN, ALL DURING A SINGLE TURN! CAUSED ME TO HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY TURNING. RESEARCH PROVES THIS IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT AND I WONDER WHY TOYOTA HAS NOT ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY AND ISSUED A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11154429

222,400 miles · Nov 21, 2018
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL THE SPINDAL CABLE IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS REPLACED AND THERE IS A SIMILAR RECALL ON THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR BUT IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MINE.IT SAYS MY AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11153114

139,000 miles · Oct 29, 2018
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:14V604000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER INDEPENDENCE TOYOTA (730 AIRPORT RD, HAZLETON, PA 18202) AND THEY STATED THAT THE LEAF SPRINGS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION WERE NOT DAMAGED. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:14V604000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER INDEPENDENCE TOYOTA (730 AIRPORT RD, HAZLETON, PA 18202) AND THEY STATED THAT THE LEAF SPRINGS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION WERE NOT DAMAGED. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT ANOTHER UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE LEAFS WERE DISCOVERED TO BE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER INDEPENDENCE TOYOTA AND THIS TIME THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE LEAFS WERE FRACTURED AND REPAIRED THE VEHICEL UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

NHTSA ODI #11143834

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2018
Suspension

SQUEAKY REAR SPRINGS

NHTSA ODI #11138874

125,000 miles · Sep 18, 2018
Air BagsUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HIGHWAY ACCIDENT THAT LED TO A ROLLOVER AND SEVERE BODILY INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI #11130228

131,000 miles · Aug 26, 2018
Power Train

WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE ON MY PROPERTY IN 4WD THE TRANSFER CASE BECAME STUCK IN 4WD. IT STILL IS STUCK IN 4WD AND WON'T RETURN TO 2WD AS IT SHOULD. I'VE BEEN FORCED TO REMOVE THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT (NO EASY TASK) TO PREVENT UNNECESSARY WEAR AND TEAR ON THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. AFTER READING NUMEROUS FORUMS RELATING TO THIS SU…

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WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE ON MY PROPERTY IN 4WD THE TRANSFER CASE BECAME STUCK IN 4WD. IT STILL IS STUCK IN 4WD AND WON'T RETURN TO 2WD AS IT SHOULD. I'VE BEEN FORCED TO REMOVE THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT (NO EASY TASK) TO PREVENT UNNECESSARY WEAR AND TEAR ON THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. AFTER READING NUMEROUS FORUMS RELATING TO THIS SUBJECT I'VE DETERMINED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MODEL TRANSFER CASE.

NHTSA ODI #11122404

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2018
Steering

THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT U JOINT SEIZES UP OR IS VERY HARD TO TURN AND WILL NOT LET THE STEERING RETURN TO STRAIGHT POSITION. U JOINT IS NOT COVERED AND EXPOSED TO ELEMENTS THEREFORE LETTING IT RUST AND CORODE. HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE A FATAL ACCIDENT WITH MY ENTIRE FAMILY IN THE TRUCK. EVERY TOYOTA OWNER I KNOW AND …

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THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT U JOINT SEIZES UP OR IS VERY HARD TO TURN AND WILL NOT LET THE STEERING RETURN TO STRAIGHT POSITION. U JOINT IS NOT COVERED AND EXPOSED TO ELEMENTS THEREFORE LETTING IT RUST AND CORODE. HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE A FATAL ACCIDENT WITH MY ENTIRE FAMILY IN THE TRUCK. EVERY TOYOTA OWNER I KNOW AND HAVE TALKED TO HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11122004

Official recalls

11

16V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Jun 2, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

14V743000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Nov 19, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

14V604000 · Suspension:rear:springs:leaf Spring Assembly:leaf

Sep 29, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

14V475000 · Equipment:other:labels

Aug 4, 2014

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

13V337000 · Seat Belts

Aug 7, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies. Based on the inspection, the seat belt assembly will be replaced or new pre-tensioner screws will be installed with thread-locking sealant and a retractor spring cover with stopper ribs to prevent loosening of the screws. These services will be provided at no cost to the owner. The recall began during February 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

12V092000 · Air Bags:frontal

Mar 7, 2012

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER’S SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER IS EXPECTED TO BE MAILED TO OWNERS DURING APRIL 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

11V148000 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems

Mar 4, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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. FOR THE FJ CRUISER VEHICLES, THE TPMS CANNOT BE RESET SO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THE TPMS WILL BE REPLACED. TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING THE REMEDY ECU. IF AN OWNER IS NOT CERTAIN WHETHER HIS OR HER VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THESE ACCESSORIES, PLEASE CONTACT ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

09V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Oct 5, 2009

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

09V223000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jun 15, 2009

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.