9.1

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
38,850 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (7 reports)
2008 Toyota Tacoma engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments

problem #7

Feb 122019

Tacoma TK V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,212 miles

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

Does it randomly. Called Toyota, they say it has to occur during test drive. We say it does it randomly, so they do nothing.

- James H., Punxsutawney, PA, US

problem #6

Jan 082015

Tacoma TRD Sport V05

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

I have made four formal complaints to Toyota Customer care and innumerable calls and visits to the local dealers. Unintended acceleration issue started when my Tacoma truck was new and has occurred well over 100 times since purchase in October 2008.

I have received the usual responses that it was the gas pedal (replaced), floor mats locked down and no problem, defrosters on, my misapplication of gas/brake due to my age (63), work boots I was wearing one time, but no issues with my vehicle. I was told by Toyota Chicago Claims Specialist, Dave Henkenias, to sell the truck if it is so bad. They continue to say nothing has ever been found wrong with Toyota cars, and it's always driver error. I have several passenger witnesses that my foot was no where near the gas pedal.

When it happens, there is a click under my foot as I brake at stop light/signs. RPMs accelerate wildly until I shift to neutral and shut the truck off.

It happens at all times of the year, and regardless of weather. I have not been able to reproduce it at the dealer and they refuse to address the problem unless I can make it happen at the dealer. It usually happens several times in succession and then not for a few thousand miles.

I have filed a complaint with NHTSA and called them several times . They are no help.

I also filed a complaint with Illinois States Attorney Lisa Madigan's office after this last incident.

I understand there was 1.2 billion settlement, but although I called the lawyers 1 1/2 years ago, I was not included in the lawsuit

Toyota representative Dave Henkenias has refused to put the Brake Override system on my truck due to the cost and the inability to add more information to my trucks computer. My truck is included on the www.toyotaelsettlement.com website as eligible for the Brake Overrride system, but Mr. Henkenias and the dealer refuse to install it.

- bob l, Mundelein, IL, US

problem #5

Jan 082013

Tacoma TRD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I have taken the truck in multiple times for the same issue since I bought it. When I come to a stop at a red light or stop sign the truck will lunge forward as if someone has hit me from behind, it's a hard bump! Then sometimes if I have to stop suddenly, when I go to accelerate again it feels like it's in neutral and doesn't want to go.

My warranty just went out and it seems to be getting worse, and, I took it back in today and of course now they tell me that it's a drive shaft problem and it will cost me $1600!!! But they couldn't figure that out the last 5 times I took in for the exact same problem while under warranty!!! I am PISSED! I am hoping to find out how I can make them repair this under warranty as I have read numerous people having the same issue with theirs!

- Brittney G., Conyers, GA, US

problem #4

Mar 082009

Tacoma V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

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

While traveling down the Parkway in Pittsburgh PA., I accelerated to pass a slow moving vehicle in the center lane and when I did the throttle stuck wide open. I was speeding down the parkway - with both feet on the brakes trying to stop and the Tacoma seemed to go faster. I was concentrating on what was around me and not the gauges but had to be going in excess of 95MPH. I noticed a gravel berm to my right, I was in the right lane - the parkway then narrows to 2 lanes - I knew I had to do something to get stopped or we were going to flip the vehicle. I put the truck in NEUTRAL and the engine was screaming - it seemed as if it would come through the hood, the brakes were smoking....I was still propelled down the berm with both feet on the brakes and the vehicle in NEUTRAL - when I came to a near stop. I turned the ignition off.

Toyota is refusing to acknowledge that there is a problem, even though there have been many reports of this same thing happening, with crashes, rollovers, injuries. Toyota - California blamed it on the Tacoma All Weather Rubber Floor Mats. Let me say that when I finally got stopped, I looked to see if the gas pedal was pushed to the floor and if the mats were anywhere near the gas or brake - it wasn't.

I was told by the Toyota case manager that I was fixated on "What If, What If" (because I had just come through 2 tunnels) and should be concentrating on "What Is, What Is!?" AND that there is nothing wrong with this vehicle - to get in it and drive it AND IF it happens again, I'll know how to deal with it. I told them that I didn't want this DEATH TRAP and was told by the dealer "Well, we're not going to buy it back!" So, we're stuck with an 11 month old Tacoma that we're afraid to drive.

- Sandra R., Trafford, PA, US

problem #3

Mar 012008

Tacoma TRD 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93 miles

Day two of owning my 08 Tacoma: snow storm, driving to work, go to make a turn, take foot off accelerator, engine rpms do not drop like they should, truck continues to accelerate, nearly go in ditch, pissed off and wide awake now. Toyota says this is normal.

- Lorne M., Prince George, British Columbia, Canada

problem #2

Sep 012008

Tacoma Prerunner 4.0L-Liter Dohc Efi V

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,025 miles

When you have the AC on and come to a stop the truck lurches forward if you do not have the brake all the way to the floor. This occurred on my 2006 Tacoma as well. I was told by Toyota that it is the AC Compressor kicking on and off causing this lurching. I always make sure that my brake is all the to the floor to prevent this from happening. This does not occur when the AC is off. No fix or solution from Toyota on this issue.

- vr5ken, Gilbert, AZ, US

problem #1

Jul 112008

Tacoma Double Cab Prerunner 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,512 miles

My wife was driving down the road, just as she left the store the throttle went to wide open she tried to brake but wouldn't stop the truck so she put it in park and lost control after it made the horrible grinding noise that any vehicle does when you put it in park while moving. I'm going to go raise some cain in the morning when they open. We had it towed to the local dealership where we bought the damn thing about a month and half ago. I'm sure we are not the only Toyota owners that have experienced this problem. After reading other 2007 models having the same problem don't know if i want my wife and the three boys riding in a death trap. There was no vehicle damage that i know of but i know it scared my wife to death. Trust me if this truck would have been in a accident and hurt anyone cbn would know about it about an hour ago. This is a very serious problem and could have killed my family. I read two other Toyota Tacoma double cab prerunners doing this same problem. And to hear that the Toyota guy told them that it wasn't possible. They are in for a rude awaking in the morning. If anyone else has the same problem please post. I want to know, had a good safe Chevy Tahoe traded it for the Toyota because she wanted something with a warranty. First and last Toyota i'll every buy. This is serious problem and if it's a reoccurring problem we need to get a recall started.

- Justin J., Fountain, FL, US

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