Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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 that the subframe of the vehicle was significantly corroded. The contact stated that the passenger's side of the vehicle was warped, which made the vehicle unsafe to drive. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had passed inspection when an unknown recall repair was previously performed on the vehicle in 2016. The failure mileage was approximately 243,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while receiving an oil change, the independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with 50% frame loss. The contact referred the failure to TSB: VH6 (Subframe Corrosion). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,500.
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). …
The issued with my truck is the rust in the frame underneath, I purchased the truck in August of 2020. I didn't noticed any issued until I went to get the safety inspection done in June 2021 and it failed. The mechanic showed me the problem so I went to a body shop to get some metal added to the frame and got it reinspect it and it passed. After doing some research on these trucks saw that there was a recalled for almost 10 years from Toyota but it ended in March 2021. Now, this year when my inspection was due the same problem occur; it failed again. It seems like this problem will continue every year, I would like to know if there's anyway this recall can be reopen after talking to some mechanics they seem to still run in to these Tacoma Trucks showing up with this rusted frame problem. …
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. …
08trd Tacoma Frame rust bad I bought it in 2011 certified used vehicle. I 2015 had frame inspection They undercoat It has 66000 miles on it Tues this week asked mechanic change oil He said the frame is rusted bad Contacted Toyota that as soon as I got home, I had the email copy I sent to you. She gave me a little glimmer of hope she has a one. Oh I do bring it to the Smithtown dealership which is right down the block and left and I did the next one and I did and it's documented, the rust is so bad he gonna pass inspection in December I take care of my vehicles yesterday got call Toyota declined to help I'm in shock past time They oct 2020 I'm so disappointed plz help truck is like new since bought 2011 to now I put 40000 Avg 4000 year im local
I brought my 2008 Toyota Tacoma in and they did an undercoating recall. Since then I've had to replace a broken leaf spring and brake line, and a few weeks ago, brought it in to a Toyota dealership to have a wheel bearing/ axlereplaced that had rusted. On the paper documentation nothing was mentioned regarding the frame deterioration. Recently brought it in for an exhaust replacement and was shown how dangerous the frame was, and that it was too far gone to weld anything to, as "there's nothing to weld to" (and no shop would assume liability for such a fix)by the muffler shop technician. I called the Toyota dealership and was told to bring it somewhere to have a plate welded . Told him that wasn't an option.
We were experiencing a loud rattling noise under the passenger side steer tire and when we hit bumps, it was hard to control the steering and bouncing. When inspected by our mechanic, we found that the frame had rusted through and broke near the passenger side wheel and will no longer pass inspection due to safety. The entire frame has extensive rust issues, even though under costed at time of purchase and two other times during our ownership and was last inspected by Toyota in April 2018 and told all was ok, even though there was an open extension on replacing rusted frames for the 2008 Toyota Tacomas.
brought my tacoma truck in for trade in at toyota dealership,after they inspected vehicle,they told me frame on truck is rusted so bad that it has to be replaced.i have been driving this truck pulling my boat and hauling heavy loads.i had no ideal that frame was so rotted and is a saftey hazard on the road.now i have truck nobody wants and will cost to much to repair.truck is only 2008 with 111000 miles on it! how can this be?as far as i know there where no recalls on the frame sent to me.don't know what to do.wont be buying toyota any more.
Frame has rusted to the point of actually having a hole that I can put my finger through. The truck has only 79000 miles on it and is in excellent shape otherwise. I bought it new from the dealer in 2008. I think this is a potentially dangerous condition but could be repaired via an Toyota recall. My father was a Toyota G.M. and Toyota's are all my family have owned for 30 some years. I hope Toyota will honor the re-call. Thank you, [redacted]
Related recalls
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.
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.
Suspension complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2008 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 125 complaints about the suspension of the 2008 Toyota Tacoma, 28% of the model year's 449 complaints. The component named most often is front (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Toyota Tacoma suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-604 (leaf, Sep 29, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Tacoma suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 4 injuries and 2 deaths to suspension 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.