2008 Toyota Tacoma Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 3%of 450 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,927miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 Toyota Tacoma, 3% of the 450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,927 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Headlight assembly inner lens distortion. Toyota never sent me the extension of warranty notice for this defect, my dealership did not mention it to me and now neither will cover this obvious and recognized safety defect even though I have owned the vehicle since 2010 when the vehicle had only 8000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10972026, filed 2017-04, 160,000 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 miles“My lights began going off at night when the vehicle was about 2 years old. Not that frequently, usually related to moisture or maybe the wipers drawing power to clear moisture. Toyota sent this vehicle home twice, putting it back on the road without resolving the problem. They have now found the ecu unit, or essentially the electrical switchboard has malfunctioned.”
NHTSA complaint #10501397, filed 2013-03, 25,000 miles“Daytime running lights lens is melting and cracking, this looks like it could start a fire. Toyota dealer has recognized this as a defect, informed the headlight assembly must be replaced, but not covered by Toyota. Toyota and dealer has offered to pay half of the replacement, but still very costly, for a Toyota defect!”
NHTSA complaint #10523691, filed 2013-07, 87,121 miles“Fuel filler neck flap broke off and fell into the tank.gas mileage is terrible. Left turn signal stayed on and air conditioner was working intermittently. Took vehicle to champion Toyota on 10-15-09. Dealership stated that flap inside tank is normal... They repaired turn signal and stated that this could have caused the A/C to not work properly. Dealership stated that wires were burnt together causing the turn signal to stay on. Received vehicle back on 10-20-09. …”
NHTSA complaint #10308499, filed 2010-02, 10,237 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10174876Apr 20, 2020DL: ZLZ Expired on 04/20/2020
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2017 | 8 | 3% |
| 2016 | 17 | 5% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 32 | 17% |
| 2010 | 25 | 9% |
| 2009 | 105 | 20% |
| 2008 | 15 | 3% |
| 2007 | 10 | 2% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 0% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 6 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 0% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
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 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 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