Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
The brakes on my 2008 Toyota Tacoma were failing so I took it to a mechanic, who said that the brake lines had failed and needed to be replaced. However, he said that it wasn't worth putting any money into the truck, as the leaf springs were corroded along with the frame, which could crack apart at any time. As we only purchased the truck one year ago, he advised us to take it to the dealership where we purchased it, and informed us of the recalls on both of these issues. I spoke with the mechanic at the dealership because when we purchased the vehicle, they did the inspection and said that everything was fine. When I asked the mechanic about this, he said that he didn't have anything to do with sales and we needed to speak to the owner (who is out on medical leave). …
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. …
The brakes completely failed on the vehicle. When inspected the main brake line was found damaged due to the frame of the car being totally corroded and shifting of the mechanical structure. If I were not quick in getting the emergency brake applied, we would have had an uncontrolled crash in traffic and could have potentially been killed. There were no warnings or lights that came on in the vehicle prior to the complete brake failure. The car is currently at a local repair shop and can be inspected if necessary. The frame corrosion was so bad on this car that the repair shop was not comfortable even putting it on a lift as they felt the car frame would break.
Driver hit brakes to slow down for approaching stop sign. Brake pedal would not go down. He tried 3 times to make the brake go down. To keep from hitting the car in front of him, he ran off the road into a ditch. Truck was totaled.
I used an inclined drive way, for a bay door, to pull into so I could turn around and park. When I applied the brakes my ABS engaged and started whining. I lost control of braking and my truck wasn't stopping. I thought I was going to hit the closed door. Thankfully the inclined drive way slowed me down before hitting the door!!! This isn't the first issue I have had with my breaks not working properly or with my ABS whining. Last summer I had an issue going down a bumpy hill up in the mountains. I was driving very slowly down the really bumpy hill and my ABS was whining like crazy, I wasn't even applying the brakes. When I needed to apply the breaks it felt as if they weren't working properly and stoping wasn't going to be easy. My ABS whines when I hit a bump, speed bump, pot hole, railroad tracks, and so on. …
I was driving in downtown hilo going approximately 10 to 15 MPH. There was a truck ahead of me starting to stop for a red light. I also started to brake when suddenly the Tacoma started to surge. I pressed down on the brake with all my might but the truck would not stop. I then pumped the brakes in desperation. I hit the truck in front of me slightly. The same thing happened once before a few months back but fortunately there was no other vehicle involved. I searched the internet and have found other owners of the Toyota Tacoma have had this same identical problem. This happened on Saturday, today is Monday and I was planning on taking it to the Toyota dealership, but from reading what others wrote Toyota will not find or remedy the problem or even acknowledge that there is a problem. So I don't even know if I should bother. …
While sitting at a stop light for a short time, all of a sudden the truck lunged forward hitting the car that was in front. Took the truck to our local Toyota dealership for inspection. Report came back that everything was in proper working order and within spec. Dealership told us that since it was involved in an accident that they could not touch it any longer without proper authorization. Directed us to Toyota customer relations. We opened up a case file and now just waiting to hear from a case manager. I asked our local Toyota service mgr if he has had other complaints about this problem. His reply was "never, this is the first time I have ever heard of this happening". I find that very hard to believe. I sent him a just a few of the same complaints that I have found online in a real quick search. It looks like it happens to alot of Toyota Tacoma owners. Very unsafe!
Was coming to a stop at a stop light and the truck surge when the brakes were applied and hit the car in front of me. Truck surge two to three times after that. Toyota fix the surge issue and at the same time created another safety problem / defect. Now when I step on the gas petal to much or give the truck to much gas at one time the truck thinks it is surging and the truck will shut down . In the last couple month I have had three close call from this defect / problem. The technician at the Toyota dealer ship (hilo hawaii) told me not to punch the gas or step on the gas to hard or the truck will shut down (he was right). I express my concern this was another safety issue, he replied this was Toyota solution to the surge problem. I only drive my truck when needed and don't allow any passenger in fear of having another accident. Please help.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at a 55 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, however, the front passenger side wheel locked. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to multiple independent mechanics where it was diagnosed that that the ABS brakes needed to be replaced and to a dealer who stated that the master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic who replaced the master cylinder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,000.
Brake complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Toyota Tacoma, 7% of the model year's 449 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Toyota Tacoma brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2008 Toyota Tacoma, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Tacoma brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 46% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.