2008 Toyota Tacoma Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 6%of 450 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Toyota Tacoma, 6% of the 450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“It has happened twice too me truck is running fine and then check engine light comes on truck goes into a limp mode . Has done it twice once running about thirty miles per hour the second time running 70 MPH in busy I-10 traffic in jax fl rush hour bad news. Truck never shuts off goes to a idle speed and will not run over 20 miles per hour maybe if you lucky . No throttle response it will only have a idle . Never shuts off .”
NHTSA complaint #10487470, filed 2012-12, 74,563 miles“Runaway vehicle reported friday, 04/24/2020. Happened again friday 05/01/2020, and today 05/04/2020. Six times now I have reported. Friday and today I was backing out of driveway. Started up, had foot on brake, put in reverse, and throttle went wide open. Turned switch off, put in park, and started up. All ok.thought A/C compressor might have something to do with electronics, but A/C was off on 05/01/20. I have a electro / mechanics tech degree and have worked in appliance shop over 15 years. Worked in vehicle shops over 25 years. Currently school bus parts specialist for gwinnett boe. …”
NHTSA complaint #11323198, filed 2020-05, 199,875 miles“2008 Toyota Tacoma sport trd 4x4 truck. I was driving on the highway at about 65mph and went to change lanes to pass and the accelerator seemed to have stuck and keep accelerating even know I wasn't pushing the gas & the brake felt like a weight not a normal brake pedal. The truck also has higher idle at time of and has done this several times but not all the time. The garage claims they can't find an issue and they tell you not to worry about it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10259233, filed 2009-02, 14,000 miles“Since september of 2007, I drove a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. July 13, 2010 at approximately 8:55 a.m., I was stepping on my brake to come to a stop behind a vehicle at a stop sign in a residential area. I started braking slowly as usual. It appeared the brakes were working but not catching as fast as usual so I put extra pressure on the brake. Getting too close than I should be for a stop, I pushed the brake to the floor & my truck dipped a bit appearing to come to a stop but then kept rolling & hit the car in front of me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10347893, filed 2010-08, 32,575 miles“My 08 Toyota Tacoma drl (daylight running light/turn signal) lens burned/melted/cracked the lens but the bulb is still working so chances are it could catch on fire. I have exceeded my warranty but I feel Toyota should stand behind their product and replace my light lens. Light lens should never burn/melt/break regardless of how old or how many miles the vehicle has on it. Not all Tacoma's have drl , this is a safety option, not so safe. I contacted Toyota and was told Toyota would not stand behind their product because I had exceeded my warranty. Nice customer service.”
NHTSA complaint #10448124, filed 2012-02, 60,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10133654Nov 22, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be…
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10132930Nov 29, 2016TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: September 14, 2016: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0134-16.
- 10150418Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10134140Jan 11, 2016Tech Tip: Some customers may experience difficulty programming HomeLink.
- 10134223Sep 15, 2015TT: The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been interrupted.
- 10096556Sep 15, 2015Tt: the vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the engine ecm has been interrupted.
- 10132529Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 15% |
| 2025 | 6 | 5% |
| 2024 | 16 | 10% |
| 2023 | 12 | 22% |
| 2022 | 4 | 7% |
| 2021 | 9 | 11% |
| 2020 | 9 | 10% |
| 2019 | 21 | 10% |
| 2018 | 14 | 7% |
| 2017 | 22 | 9% |
| 2016 | 37 | 11% |
| 2015 | 8 | 8% |
| 2014 | 7 | 8% |
| 2013 | 13 | 10% |
| 2012 | 19 | 6% |
| 2011 | 22 | 12% |
| 2010 | 8 | 3% |
| 2009 | 40 | 8% |
| 2008 | 27 | 6% |
| 2007 | 18 | 3% |
| 2006 | 25 | 3% |
| 2005 | 20 | 3% |
| 2004 | 17 | 4% |
| 2003 | 11 | 3% |
| 2002 | 7 | 2% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 9 | 4% |
| 1999 | 11 | 4% |
| 1998 | 5 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 9 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Tacoma
125 complaintsVehicle speed control
85 complaintsBody and structure
79 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsSteering
41 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsEngine
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota Tacoma
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology