Is the 2008 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Toyota Tacoma is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Tacoma?

The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Tacoma have?

11 recalls on file for this model year.

2008 Toyota Tacoma

◆ Worse than typical

2008 Toyota Tacoma
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 445
Recalls: 11
Investigations: 0
Top problem: Suspension

Complaints per year

2008: 445 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1995	177
1996	253
1997	131
1998	300
1999	249
2000	210
2001	396
2002	333
2003	360
2004	414
2005	707
2006	782
2007	541
2008	445
2009	519
2010	293
2011	186
2012	295
2013	125
2014	93
2015	101
2016	323
2017	239
2018	206
2019	216
2020	88
2021	79
2022	59
2023	53
2024	151
2025	100
2026	7

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

28% · 126 reports

Most commonly citing front and leaf spring assembly.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Vehicle speed control

19% · 85 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, he applied the brakes but the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact had to apply an immense amount of pressure to the brakes.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-01-30

On 01/04/2008 I was stopped at a red light in traffic. I was stopped approximately 10 feet from the rear bumper of the vehicle in front of me. While stopped my vehicle, a 2008 Toyota Tacoma double cab began to accelerate violently.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-01-14

Structure

17% · 76 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

2008 Toyota Tacoma Pickup truck- I was wearing a pair of steel tip workboots when I was pulling into a parking space at a convenience store.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-03-14

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

I purchased this vehicle used several years ago. I recently took it in for an oil change and my mechanic advised me that the underside was rusting out. There was a recall for this issue but it has expired and Toyota has refused to do anything.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-03

Steering

9% · 40 reports

CRASH

Service brakes

7% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

11 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

▮
2008Complaint volume 445 complaints filed for this model year.
R

2009-09-18Equipment09V223000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2009-12-31Vehicle speed control09V388000 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…

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.…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2010-05-27Equipment10V036000 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."

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2010-05-27Equipment10V035000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2011-03-31Tires11V148000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2012-08-03Air bags12V092000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2014-02-24Seat belts13V337000 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.

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

Check if this car was fixed →
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2014-10-02Equipment14V475000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2015-01-29Seats14V743000 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...

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2016-01-29Suspension14V604000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2016-07-14Seats16V396000 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,...

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.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Toyota Tacoma — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Suspension: 126 reports on file for this year.
Vehicle speed control: 85 reports on file for this year.
Structure: 76 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 09V223000 · Equipment
Recall 09V388000 · Vehicle speed control
Recall 10V036000 · Equipment
Recall 10V035000 · Equipment
Recall 11V148000 · Tires
Recall 12V092000 · Air bags
Recall 13V337000 · Seat belts
Recall 14V475000 · Equipment
Recall 14V743000 · Seats
Recall 14V604000 · Suspension
Recall 16V396000 · Seats

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Toyota Tacoma reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Toyota Tacoma is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Tacoma?: The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Tacoma have?: 11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.