2008 Toyota Tacoma engine problems

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 Mar 19, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 134,125 miles · GA

While moving at idle in a parking lot, looking for space to park, A/C compressor turned on. Ecu raised engine rpms the normal 200+- rpms. Immediately afterwards, engine went to full throttle. Stood up on brake pedal with both feet. Rear tires were spinning and smoking. Began to move faster than originally. Turned off ignition switch, put in park. Restarted and no problems since then. Believe something confused ecu when rpms were raised to compensate A/C compressor engaging.

Filed Jan 14, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 87,000 miles · TX

I was at a stop light and the tacoma truck started accelerating redlining the brakes held but felt mushy I turned car off. I turned on heater compressor button was on. I had it towed to toyota fort worth where they said they could not replicate the problem. The car is not safe to drive as it started accelerating while braking.

Filed Apr 22, 2014 · Engine · 48,186 miles · AZ

Driving down the road a knocking noise was heard. Took it into the toyota dealership and they said they would look at it. At first it was just the cam that had broken on the left side. And they were charging $6,000 a week later they called and said the entire engine needed to be overhauled and it would cost $12,000. The dealership said it was a manufacturer defect and they would contact toyota for help. Toyota is stating since I do my own oil changes that they are unable to help me and that it hasn't happened to anyone else so I am out of luck.

Filed Jan 27, 2014 · Airbags, Body · 263,000 miles · NH · crash

Air bags did not deploy in frontal crash.

Filed Dec 17, 2013 · Engine · 85,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the engine erroneously began to race as the rpms increased without the contact depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that flames were also seen coming from under the front of the vehicle. The contact opened the hood and discovered that the engine was on fire. The contact used snow to extinguish the flames. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Aug 16, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 5,000 miles · OR

I have a 2008 toyota tacoma. The way the brake and gas pedals are configured I frequently hit the gas pedal along with the brake pedal. The brake pedal when depressed goes almost to the floor. The pedals are so close together that the gas pedal is sometimes caught by the edge of my shoe while braking causing the engine to race. This especially happens when backing up and my body is contorted to see out the rear windshield. But it also happens occasionally when driving forward and attempting to stop. I do not feel safe in this vehicle and had numerous close calls almost running into cars or object in front of me. I have referred the problem to the dealer. They say they have no remedy for the problem. I was referred to toyota corporate national headquarters phone # 1‑800‑331‑4331 and had an investigation case open, case number 1307222061. After the inspection of my vehicle they said that my truck is operating as designed. I still feel that there is a potential for an accident. Another side note is that whenever I brought my truck in to the dealer just about this problem they wouldn't charge for the inspection or brake adjustments and so no paperwork was written up of my complaints which has happen two or three times. So you probably won't see much of any history about this issue. I don't know if this was by design to not have a paper record to avoid recalls or having customer complaints documented. I have also mentioned this to the service department on numerous occasions during routine service visits but it was never really written up. I have read on the internet that other tacoma owners have had the same problem. The last incident that I had a month ago I almost went of a cliff because my foot caught on the gas pedal while braking. It's a poor design to have the brake pedal go below the level of the gas pedal at any time when they are so close to each other.

Filed Jun 28, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · 103,893 miles · CA

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.

Filed May 17, 2012 · Engine · 30,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that a loud noise emitted from under the hood upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The dealer stated that the vehicle needed to be balanced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 42,000.

Filed May 4, 2011 · Engine · 98,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota tacoma. The contact stated his vehicle responded with minimal power. Whenever he made a turn the vehicle would idle in the middle of the road for about two to three seconds. The vehicle was taken to four toyota dealers who could not duplicate or diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and a claim was filed. The manufacturer also informed him they would send a representative to inspect the vehicle but no one notified him. The failure mileage was 96,000.