My toyota tacoma will suddenly accelerate from a dead stop. I was stopped at a stop sign and the engine sped up; I had both feet on the brakes, back wheels spinning. I put it into neutral and it went back to normal. Another time I was backing into a parking space and it did it again, in reverse! Again, neutral stopped it. This has happened 3 times and I'm afraid I'm going to kill myself or someone else! No, I did not have a foot on the accelerator and the brake! This happens after I've had the cruise control on, then turned it off. And again, it happens from a dead stop. I have a complaint number from toyota. The dealer did diagnostics and couldn't find anything wrong. So toyota will do nothing. I am contacting you to make public what we are experiencing with my tacoma in case of a horrific accident. Toyota needs to stand behind what they sell. I have always maintained my truck; this is not due to my negligence. It is due to toyota's. I need my truck fixed before someone is hurt or killed by it.
2008 Toyota Tacoma: sudden unintended acceleration
28 of the 450 complaints about the 2008 Toyota Tacoma describe sudden unintended acceleration.
- owner complaints
- 28
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 19,000
- recalls
- 1
Sudden unintended acceleration by model year
What owners say
Pulled into parking lot, turning right. Had foot on brake. Engine went to full throttle, rear tires spinning, jumped curb. Turned key off. All ok after re-starting. Have three witnesses. This is second time in less than 12 months. See 03/2015 complaint. Reported to toyota dealership in march 2015, at stone mountain, ga. They kept several days, ran test, and took pictures. They advised problem is now in the hands of toyota corporation in california." if they are willing to correct, I will hear from them." have not heard anything. This vehicle will eventually hurt or kill someone. I have done all I know to do. Toyota should install brake override system as requested 03/2015 from dealership. The consumer has since experienced sudden acceleration, for the third time. Updated 08/30/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota tacoma. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to slow down and caused the contact to crash into two trees. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required medial attention. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000. Updated 2/4/16 *cn
Unintended acceleration to full throttle while in drive.
Sudden acceleration(engine surge) while waiting (foot on brake) to enter traffic lane; immediately put gear in neutral and turned engine off.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3 MPH the driver of the vehicle removed her foot from the brake pedal when the vehicle suddenly lunged forward. The contact stated the failure occurs while completely stopped as well. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.
There are two separate issues which make a deadly combination. When I stop in traffic on the freeway then attempt to accelerate, the car will rev at a high RPM while failing to accelerate as it would under normal operations. Now this is where it is scary for me. When I let off of the gas pedal under these conditions, sometimes the RPM's will go down as you would expect but sometimes the RPM's will stay very high even after I take my foot off the gas pedal. At that point I step on the brake, turn on my emergency lights, put the car into park and turn off the engine then turn it on again. This is all too reminiscent of the problem with toyota cars that accelerated without warning. Luckily, the first issue I mentioned, where the car doesn't accelerate properly after stopping, is stopping this car from accelerating at a high speed and causing injury to me and anyone in my path.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota tacoma. The contact was driving approximately 10 MPH and depressing the brake pedal when the vehicle lunged forward abnormally. In addition, there was also a squeaking coming from the rear brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised the contact that the rear brake drums would have to be rotated. The vehicle was repaired yet the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer five times but the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that upon applying the brakes and stopping, the engine attempted to surge forward and there was an increase in engine rpms. The vehicle was shifted into park and shut off. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and they could not diagnose the failure. An unknown repair was performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,835.
I bought a 2008 toyota tacoma (new). Unfortunately, last year I began having some braking issues. Even-though it was not scheduled, I had my mechanic change out the original front disc brakes to better quality pads. When this took place, my mechanic advised me that my brakes were over-heating and turning the fluid brown. There also seems to be problems with the quality of the rear drum brakes. My truck experiences inconsistency every time I stop. Toyota says nothing is wrong. I believe this is another issue with quality as I and many others have had with the unintended acceleration.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota tacoma. While driving 25 MPH and accelerating down a hill the vehicle suddenly accelerated. While applying the brakes the vehicle would not stop or slow down. The gears thrust into park but the rpms continued to increase excessively. The vehicle was driven to her residence but it was not diagnosed by the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and informed him to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The failure mileage was 50,000.
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!
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
- What is wrong
- 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 floor mat.
- Risk
- A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
- 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. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine toyota or lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do not want the new ones. Additionally, software modifications will be installed on camry, avalon and lexus es 350, is 350 and is 250 models that will ensure that the brake overrides the accelerator in the event both brake and accelerator pedals are applied. Toyota will begin mailing letters to owners on december 31, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331, lexus at 1‑800‑255‑3987.
Recall number 09V388000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2008 Toyota Tacoma sudden acceleration
Is sudden unintended acceleration a common problem on the 2008 Toyota Tacoma?
28 of 450 owner complaints about the 2008 Toyota Tacoma (6%) mention sudden unintended acceleration. The model year with the most reports is 2006.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Toyota Tacoma?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Toyota Tacoma
Airbag light 13Coil spring 13Grinding brakes 9Jerking 9ABS 7Adaptive cruise 7No deployment 7Headlights 7Fire or smoke 5
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