2008 TOYOTA TACOMA Complaints and Recall Information
The 2008 TOYOTA TACOMA has 16 complaints and 9 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report steering failures and significant frame corrosion issues. Several complain about the vehicle becoming difficult to maneuver due to pinion steering gear failure. Others note extensive rust on the frame, sometimes severe enough to affect safety. Loss of brakes and paint defects are also mentioned in complaints.
Common Issues
- Steering failure. The pinion steering gear fails causing the steering wheel to not respond properly at highway speeds, making the vehicle hard to control.
- Frame corrosion. Extensive rust occurs on the frame, including the rear section near the gas tank and under the firewall, resulting in frame expansion and potential structural failure.
- Brake system problems. Complaints indicate the entire braking system may require replacement, sometimes linked to oil leaks around the engine.
- Paint defects. Significant paint peeling occurs on multiple areas such as the roof, hood, and door frames, exposing the metal underneath.
- Loss of brakes. There are reports of complete brake failure leading to loss of vehicle control.
- Engine oil leaks. Engine leaks oil accompanied by abnormal noises during operation, sometimes detected by independent mechanics.
- Seat heater wiring issue. Wiring under the passenger side carpet connected to the heater temperature control shorts out intermittently, potentially causing a fire hazard.
There are 9 recalls affecting the 2008 TOYOTA TACOMA related to labels, tire pressure monitoring systems, airbags, seat belts, seat heaters, suspension springs, and tire placards. These recalls address safety and regulatory compliance issues involving several vehicle systems.
Recalls
- Labeling defects. NHTSA recall 10V035000 affects 271,417 vehicles; load carrying capacity labels were missing or incorrect, which could mislead drivers about safe loading. Dealers mail corrected labels or install them free of charge.
- Tire pressure monitoring system. Recall 11V148000 covers 22,000 vehicles; TPMS fails to illuminate low tire pressure warnings correctly when accessory wheels and tires were installed, increasing tire failure risk. Dealers recalibrate the system and update the tire and loading information label.
- Air bag frontal system. Recall 12V092000 applies to 495,470 vehicles; steering wheel vibration can damage the spiral cable assembly, disabling the driver’s air bag. The fix involves replacing the spiral cable assembly free of charge.
- Additional labeling issues. Recall 10V036000 for 153,418 vehicles also addresses missing load carrying capacity labels which could lead to vehicle overloading and increased crash risk. Dealers provide corrected labels at no cost.
- Seat belt pre-tensioner screws. Recall 13V337000 concerns 342,451 vehicles; repeated forceful closure of access doors can loosen screws attaching the seat belt pre-tensioner, reducing its effectiveness. Inspections and repairs or replacements are performed free of charge.
- Spare tire placard corrections. Recall 14V475000 affects 20,000 vehicles; incorrect spare tire size or inflation info on tire placards risks tire failure. Owners receive overlay stickers or dealers apply corrections.
- Front seat heater wiring. Recall 14V743000 covers 3,233 vehicles; wiring may short during seat cushion compression risking burns or fire. The heaters are disconnected and owners refunded the purchase price.
- Rear leaf spring assemblies. Recall 14V604000 impacts 710,711 vehicles; leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion, possibly puncturing the fuel tank and causing fire risk. New leaf spring assemblies are installed by dealers at no cost.
- Aftermarket seat heaters. Recall 16V396000 for 7,749 vehicles; copper strand heating elements in aftermarket seat heaters may short circuit and cause fire. Dealers disconnect the seat heaters and refund owners.
Owners dealing with repeated steering failures, extensive frame corrosion, or unresolved recall issues may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting with a qualified attorney can help them understand their legal options.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA Summary
2008
Model Year
16
Total Complaints
9
Total Recalls
2026449
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
7749 vehicles affected
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.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
710711 vehicles affected
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.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
3233 vehicles affected
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.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
20000 vehicles affected
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.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
342451 vehicles affected
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.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
495470 vehicles affected
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¬ÃS 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¬ÃS SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
22000 vehicles affected
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.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
271417 vehicles affected
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.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
153418 vehicles affected
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.
Complaints
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2123235ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Wire connection on passenger side, under carpet. It is to the heater Temperature Control. The heater only works on High until you hit a bump or move the connector then it will start working until you bump it again. It is available for inspection upon request. A Certified Mechanic told me, It could potentially cause a fire by shorting out. I have two other friends with the same issue on their Toyota Tacoma's. .
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2122621UNKNOWN OR OTHER
report a paint defect on my 2008 Toyota Tacoma, painted in Super White (040). Over time, I have noticed significant paint peeling on multiple areas of the truck, including the roof, hood, and door frames. The paint is deteriorating down to the primer, and in some places, the metal is now exposed. I am aware of Toyota’s Customer Support Program T-SB-0162-19, which extends warranty coverage for similar paint issues on various Toyota models using the same Super White (040) and Blizzard Pearl (070) paints. However, I am disappointed to learn that the Tacoma—despite having identical paint and similar defects—was excluded from the original program. This paint failure is clearly not due to age or wear, but rather a manufacturing defect that has been documented by thousands of Tacoma owners nationwid
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2122620STRUCTURE:BODY
report a paint defect on my 2008 Toyota Tacoma, painted in Super White (040). Over time, I have noticed significant paint peeling on multiple areas of the truck, including the roof, hood, and door frames. The paint is deteriorating down to the primer, and in some places, the metal is now exposed. I am aware of Toyota’s Customer Support Program T-SB-0162-19, which extends warranty coverage for similar paint issues on various Toyota models using the same Super White (040) and Blizzard Pearl (070) paints. However, I am disappointed to learn that the Tacoma—despite having identical paint and similar defects—was excluded from the original program. This paint failure is clearly not due to age or wear, but rather a manufacturing defect that has been documented by thousands of Tacoma owners nationwid
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2116960ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Loss of brakes
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2116959AIR BAGS
Loss of brakes
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2116958SERVICE BRAKES
Loss of brakes
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2109691STRUCTURE:BODY
I have a 2008 Tacoma with a severely rusted frame. I just bought it a few months ago but didn’t know the frame was this bad. It’s unsafe to drive in its current state. Toyota will not honor their now expired recall for their faulty frames. Their frames were not coated properly from the factory and almost all tacomas had this issues that were in the cooler states of the US, and around the world for that matter.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2107973STRUCTURE:BODY
Toyota has had a long history of excessive frame rust. This truck has excessive frame rust. There was a recall to fix this frame rust and my truck has not been fixed. Toyota will not fix the current recall for the spring replacement because of the frame rust. My life and my children’s lives are in danger due to the possible leaf suspension failure that may puncture the gas tank.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2107972STEERING
Toyota has had a long history of excessive frame rust. This truck has excessive frame rust. There was a recall to fix this frame rust and my truck has not been fixed. Toyota will not fix the current recall for the spring replacement because of the frame rust. My life and my children’s lives are in danger due to the possible leaf suspension failure that may puncture the gas tank.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2107971SUSPENSION
Toyota has had a long history of excessive frame rust. This truck has excessive frame rust. There was a recall to fix this frame rust and my truck has not been fixed. Toyota will not fix the current recall for the spring replacement because of the frame rust. My life and my children’s lives are in danger due to the possible leaf suspension failure that may puncture the gas tank.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2079124STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that during a routine oil change, he was advised that the sub frame had extensive corrosion on the rear and front passenger’s side of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was informed that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,950.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2074998SERVICE BRAKES
Hope to be able to get this solved. My 2008 Toyota Tacoma had a recall with the previous owner but they didn't take it in. On the rear section of the frame on the inside beside the gas tank and on the driver side there is a lot of rust there the frame has expanded and is starting to go all away through also same place back beside the muffler on the passenger side. Also there are a few spots on the front part of the frame under the fire wall area on both sides. I had a recall on the truck and took it in and had it fixed which Toyota replaced the leaf springs on both sides and hardware. Says there was a recall when the previous owner had the truck. Will they validate that still? I've owned the truck almost a year now. But it's getting worse. Within a year I'm gonna have to park it because it liable to possible break in half. Toyota should of let me known when they had it on the lift replacing the rear leaf springs. Not my fault the previous owner didn't take the truck in to have them look at it.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2074997SUSPENSION
Hope to be able to get this solved. My 2008 Toyota Tacoma had a recall with the previous owner but they didn't take it in. On the rear section of the frame on the inside beside the gas tank and on the driver side there is a lot of rust there the frame has expanded and is starting to go all away through also same place back beside the muffler on the passenger side. Also there are a few spots on the front part of the frame under the fire wall area on both sides. I had a recall on the truck and took it in and had it fixed which Toyota replaced the leaf springs on both sides and hardware. Says there was a recall when the previous owner had the truck. Will they validate that still? I've owned the truck almost a year now. But it's getting worse. Within a year I'm gonna have to park it because it liable to possible break in half. Toyota should of let me known when they had it on the lift replacing the rear leaf springs. Not my fault the previous owner didn't take the truck in to have them look at it.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2060528SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel failed to move as intended and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving at a slow speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the pinion steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal revving sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the engine was leaking oil and the entire braking system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2060527ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel failed to move as intended and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving at a slow speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the pinion steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal revving sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the engine was leaking oil and the entire braking system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA
ID: 2060526STEERING
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel failed to move as intended and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving at a slow speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the pinion steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal revving sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the engine was leaking oil and the entire braking system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.