10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,517 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Toyota Tacoma brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments

problem #15

Oct 232011

Tacoma

  • 28,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Griffin, GA, USA

problem #14

Jan 012011

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
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.

- Buena Park, CA, USA

problem #13

Oct 132010

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that when the vehicle was at a stop, the vehicle would move slightly forward even with the brakes pressed. Once the failure would occur, the vehicle would then jerk abnormally when attempting to accelerate from the stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was told that there had been complaints on the brakes. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 52,000. Updated 05/03/11 updated 05/11/11

- Fleming Island, FL, USA

problem #12

Jan 092011

Tacoma 6-cyl

  • 32,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I've had several instances of ABS problems with my 2008 Toyota Tacoma. It's as if you enter a situation, stopping or slowing obviously, and the ABS system totally releases the truck to keep rolling. The braking action stops, the pedal depresses, and the truck keeps going. You can hear the ABS system whining away. It seems as if the truck accelerates or lunges, but I think actually the truck stops decelerating from your braking action and rolls on at the speed the brake released, giving the sensation your vehicle accelerated. Latest instance, I was backing into a clean garage off snow and ice. I had just started the truck so it was idling just a bit on the high side as it often does when first started cold. Back wheels where in the garage, foot off gas and on brake, and the front tires must have sensed a slide while still in the driveway and on the snow. The ABS whined, the truck seemed to accelerate( in this case it actually did, just as it would as if you took foot off brake at stop sign). I pushed the brake pedal on to the floor, ABS whined, truck headed on into the garage. It would have killed anyone behind me, almost smashed two motorcycles and two very nice bicycles. Only thing that saved them and my truck, and my garage, was I had thought to slam the truck into drive. It stopped. I went in and changed my underwear. Toyota this is not right!

- Somerset, KY, USA

problem #11

May 012009

Tacoma

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that when decelerating the brakes would pulsate and make a grinding noise causing the vehicle to take longer than normal to stop. No warning lights have illuminated on the instrumental panel. The failure occured on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer who informed the contact that there was nothing wrong with the brakes. The dealer recommended that he replace the tires and confirmed that they were the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Norwich, NY, USA

problem #10

Oct 242010

Tacoma

  • 56,511 miles
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!

- Alpine, CA, USA

problem #9

Nov 152008

Tacoma

  • 8,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 5-10 mph during rainy weather conditions he engaged the brakes, they locked up and the vehicle slid into a tree. He stated that there was some damage to the front bumper. The failure only happened whenever it rained or when he used the vehicle for towing on the sand. He called the dealer and was advised that the vehicle was performing normally. The failure recurred causing him to crash into a tree and damage the rear bumper. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that there was nothing they could do. He stated that the failure occurred at least a dozen times. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 8,500. The current mileage was 35,000.

- Selma, AL, USA

problem #8

Jul 152010

Tacoma

  • 72,000 miles
The brakes on my 2008 Toyota Tacoma pickup are very scary. Several times, when just beginning to drive forward from a stop, I have had to slam on the brakes because of an unexpected vehicle or pedestrian. The vehicle stopped, but the brake pedal slowly went to the floor. This made me think the brakes had failed because of a sudden loss of brake fluid. Which was never the case, but very frightening. Also, the anti lock brakes engage even at very low speeds when not expected, for example on gravel, and often when there is no reason they should engage. Almost always when the roadway is dry. Often when slowly coming to a stop at a stop sign. Additionally, when applying the brakes for a sudden deceleration at highway speeds, excessive braking pressure is required. And very scary.

- Cabot, AR, USA

problem #7

Apr 042010

Tacoma

  • 30,000 miles
Anti-lock brake system on 2008 Toyota Tacoma, acts erratic at times. On 3 different occasions, under emergency braking on snow covered roads, (deer ran onto road, lots of deer and snow where I live) the brake pedal stayed stuck to the floor, and had to be "released", (pulled back up by my toes) in order to resume driving operations. It feels like when the anti lock brakes "work" on slippery roads, it increases your stopping distances immensely. They usually work great on bare pavement, but read on. The latest occurrence happened while driving in a city with traffic moving at the posted speed limit of 30mph.. while approaching an intersection, in heavy traffic, the light changed to red, I applied the brakes but it felt like the anti-lock braking system kicked on, and my vehicle did not slow I pressed down hard for at least 2 seconds, then I released the pedal and reapplied the brakes, and it stopped. The vehicle did not skid or slide, my windows were down, so I could hear none of the same, and it was bare pavement, and I came very close to the vehicle I was following.

- Redfield, NY, USA

problem #6

Jan 122010

Tacoma

  • 10,000 miles
1. icy roads 2. anytime road surface is icy or slippery; anti-lock brakes kick in and you have no braking power at all even with surfaces that my other vehicles have no issues. Have not been able to stop several times. 3. have requested bellevue, ne Toyota repair 2 times. Told there was nothing wrong with the brakes that it was an electronics setting with the anti-lock brake system.

- Papillion, NE, USA

problem #5

Sep 172008

Tacoma

  • 5,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I'm aware of all the negative news on Toyota but the public needs to know. I was running many errands that Saturday. It was hot / humid and the A/C was on medium. I was on a slight uphill grade waiting at the red traffic light. I was the first car turning right on the red light. Then my truck lurched forward while I was releasing my brake. So, I stepped the brakes and shifted to netural. The engine revived for a split second then it returned to normal operation. I looked down to check the floor mat and that was not the problem. I consider this a mild incident compared to what I have been hearing on the news. I reported it to an authorzied Toyota service advisor and he dismissed the case saying it was caused by the A/C not need more power. How often did it occur" just that once. What was done to fix the problem" nothing.

- Mililani, HI, USA

problem #4

Feb 012010

Tacoma

  • 35,000 miles
The ABS braking system on my 2008 Toyota Tacoma double cab has felt incorrectly calibrated since the truck was new. When I go over a bump, hit a pot hole or am going down a hill with uneven pavement while braking, the ABS will disengage the brakes. I have almost run into the vehicle in front of me more times than I can count. In the winter, it also happens regularly in any snowy conditions. The local dealer has checked it and told me it tests within their specifications. They did replace the suspension, shocks and springs, saying that there have been some complaints that have been corrected by a slightly softer suspension. I disagreed with the assessment but let them make the change in the hope that it might work. It did not. The incident dates are ongoing.

- South Portland, ME, USA

problem #3

May 102009

Tacoma 4WD

  • 35,000 miles
I have a 2008 Tacoma 4WD. I have had both front brake calipers replaced because of rattling in the front end. There is a inconsistent braking when braking and going over bumps. Going into parking lots with bumpy entrances, over railroad tracks. It acts like the ABS is activating. But when it does you lose braking control. I thought that replacing the brake calipers would correct this problem but it has not.

- Maquon, IL, USA

problem #2

Feb 212009

Tacoma

  • 4,980 miles
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. The truck is less than 6 months old and I am now scared to drive it. Contemplating trading it in for a Subaru, but the next owner will be driving a dangerous vehicle.

- Pahoa, HI, USA

problem #1

Dec 062007

Tacoma

  • 764 miles
Brake pedal goes down to the floor, not quite touching but very close. Not enough pedal for a new vehicle by far. This happens in every instance of stopping. I took it in to the dealer who said that was normal for the Toyota.

- Wichita, KS, USA

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