The Lemon Index2008 Toyota Tacoma.
The 2008 Toyota Tacoma is about average by owner complaints: 134 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 94, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 16 to 22 mpg combined. The best Toyota Tacoma year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 448 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Tacoma year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 16K to 104K miles on the car (313 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- suspension complaints mostly came at 46K–112K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 5K–35K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 72K–165K miles
Recalls 11
- seats 2016
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- seats 2014
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.
- suspension 2014
In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion.
Show all 11 recalls
- equipment 2014
The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard.
- seat belts 2013
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.
- airbags 2012
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TACOMA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2004, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2008.
- tires 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 P…
- equipment 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 BETW…
- equipment 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 S…
- speed control 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- equipment 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 330 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rear differential whine or howling noise at highway speeds
- Automatic transmission/transaxle
- Information on installing manual transmission shift lever or park neutral position switch
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
2008 Toyota Tacoma upon slowing and applying brake, vehicle suddenly accelerated and brake could not stop it. The tires were spinning and vehicle was vibrating, tires were smoking. It stopped racing when ignition was turned off.
2008 Toyota Tacoma owner · NHTSA complaint 10301897
More owner reports
Toyota Tacoma 2008 please study this accident. It may relate to the gas pedal, so let Toyota know to recall this Model too so to prevent an another fatal accident like my brother had.
NHTSA complaint 10303373
Gas pedal got stuck on my Toyota Tacoma when passing. Reported to Toyota dealership 7/17/09
NHTSA complaint 10307278
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 94; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Tacoma year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2008 Toyota Tacoma problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (50%), transmission & drivetrain (13%) and brakes (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Tacoma have?
11 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Toyota Tacoma get?
16 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Tacoma problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 16,800 and 104,800 miles. The middle report was at 57,000 miles, from 313 complaints.
Does the 2008 Toyota Tacoma have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Toyota Tacoma cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Toyota Tacoma have?
2.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Tacoma year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works