2008 Toyota Tacoma brakes problems

Filed Dec 15, 2025 · Body, Brakes · NY

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 mechanic said that when the dealership purchased the vehicle at auction, the frame must have been undercoated and so they missed it. When I mentioned the recall, he told me to call Toyota. I have checked the VIN and it is not showing an open recall for this vehicle. However, it is experiencing the exact same safety issues as the recalls for leaf spring corrosion and frame rust and cracking. I have only had this truck for a little over one year and do not know what to do. It is too dangerous to drive as it could cause a serious accident. Neither the dealership nor Toyota want to take responsibility and offer a solution.

Filed Aug 5, 2025 · Airbags, Brakes · CO

Loss of brakes

Filed Mar 19, 2025 · Brakes, Suspension · IL

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.

Filed Jan 29, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 150,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Nov 30, 2023 · Body, Brakes · OH

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.

Filed Apr 26, 2017 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 40,000 miles · LA

I have owned a 08 tacoma for about 4 years now, and have noticed a possible problem with the toyota ABS system. If when braking you hit a bump, pot hole, object, etc the ABS system does not know exactly how to react and increases braking distance. I live in louisiana and our roads are not the best. I have noticed several times that I will be braking to avoid hitting something/someone, hit a bump, and my braking action is reduced until the system regains itself. You can hear the ABS system respond each time this occurs and can notice that your vehicle isn't stopping. Like I stated before I've owned this truck for 4 years and have noticed this the entire time. I recently have had a few times to where the truck has not wanted to stop and I have almost hit someone because I started braking, hit a bump, and the system did not know how to react. This is a potentially dangerous situation that I would like fixed. I'm a loyal toyota owner (have 4) and just want this issue addressed so that I don't have to worry about braking and hitting bumps. My vehicle was checked out my toyota and everything was good with them. I contact toyota about this issue and they stated that if the dealership says there's no problem, then there's no problem, but I could have problem fixed and they may reimburse me in the future. I've spoken with other owners and they have the same problems with similar years and models including 4runner. The ABS system doesn't react like I feel it should when the tire's dynamic changes due to either a dump and/or going from hard surface to a soft surface such as dirt, if the brakes are applied before and through the change in dynamic. I have a particular bump in the road right before a turn that every time I hit it while braking to make the turn my ABS pump surges, steering wheel vibrates, and braking is very limited until system regains itself.

Filed Dec 18, 2015 · Brakes · 2,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed May 8, 2015 · Brakes · 152,504 miles · WA

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. Basically if I hit any type of unflat surface my ABS whines majority of the time and I'm not even using the breaks. I talked to the dealer a while ago and they said my ABS is whining because my truck is lifted. My last truck, different make, was lifted the same distance and I never had any issues with it. I have had the toyota for over 2 years now.

Filed Apr 23, 2015 · Brakes · 71,000 miles · MS · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed May 1, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 7,000 miles · CA · crash

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.