2008 Toyota Tacoma Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 9%of 450 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Toyota Tacoma, 9% of the 450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Steering felt like it locked up when I was turning onto a busy road. Very stiff and hard to turn. Driving home it continued to be intermittently hard, then easy, then hard again, all during a single turn! Caused me to have great difficulty turning. Research proves this is a very common defect and I wonder why Toyota has not accepted responsibility and issued a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11154429, filed 2018-11, 65,000 miles“In the last week, I've had a hard time steering, especially tight turns. Went to dealership today and was told the u joint on the main steering shaft is seizing up. They said they have had several of these issues lately. The service agent showed me a damaged one sitting behind his desk. Cost to replace is $621. Went on Tacoma world and a lot of owners complaining the same thing.”
NHTSA complaint #10978622, filed 2017-04, 79,000 miles“Stiff steering when driving at a lower speed and worse making a u turn or any sharp turn. The steer doesn't roll back as normally when I make a u turn and I had to be quick to steer in back in time to prevent hitting the median. The steer literally get stuck . I have changed the steering pump and have also changed the rack and pinion but the problem is still there .wasted over a thousand dollar on parts and labor.”
NHTSA complaint #11083736, filed 2018-04, 22,000 miles“Steering wheel became very difficult to turn I left or right while driving. Took vehicle to Toyota service dept. They found that the joint on the lower part of the steering shaft was worn. They recognized this same premature part failure on many other 2nd generation tacomas such as mine. The intermediate steering shaft had to be replaced. The this issue could have caused me to have a serious accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11025104, filed 2017-09, 67,000 miles“Steering is very difficult and very stiff. This is very dangerous and should be recalled and I see many other 08 tacomas with the same problem. Why has there been no recall? Also steering does not return to position you have to continuously turn it on your own. I see many complaints about this and there is apparently no way to fix it. I almost had an accident on my way home today because I couldn't steer the truck. Definitely needs to be addressed. All of these complaints point to the exact same problem. The steering is very difficult when moving and when stationary. …”
NHTSA complaint #11310193, filed 2020-02, 175,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10123422Oct 30, 2017Region Email: Toyota has received a number of reports regarding Propeller Shaft Universal Joints on certain 2005 ? 2011 model year Tacoma vehicles. In these reports, customers…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 9% |
| 2024 | 4 | 3% |
| 2023 | 9 | 17% |
| 2022 | 2 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% |
| 2019 | 10 | 5% |
| 2018 | 6 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% |
| 2014 | 8 | 9% |
| 2013 | 14 | 11% |
| 2012 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 17 | 9% |
| 2010 | 19 | 6% |
| 2009 | 39 | 8% |
| 2008 | 41 | 9% |
| 2007 | 54 | 10% |
| 2006 | 40 | 5% |
| 2005 | 61 | 9% |
| 2004 | 29 | 7% |
| 2003 | 12 | 3% |
| 2002 | 9 | 3% |
| 2001 | 20 | 5% |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% |
| 1998 | 12 | 4% |
| 1997 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 9 | 4% |
| 1995 | 5 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Tacoma
125 complaintsVehicle speed control
85 complaintsBody and structure
79 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsElectrical system
27 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