2008 Toyota Tacoma Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 5%of 450 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,915miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Toyota Tacoma, 5% of the 450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,915 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.
“While operating this vehicle on my property in 4wd the transfer case became stuck in 4wd. It still is stuck in 4wd and won't return to 2wd as it should. I've been forced to remove the front driveshaft (no easy task) to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on the front differential. After reading numerous forums relating to this subject I've determined that this is a common occurrence with this model transfer case.”
NHTSA complaint #11122404, filed 2018-08, 131,000 miles“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“Heard humming noise from front end and took my truck to my mechanic who found excessive play in the front wheels.he said the wheels could come off and that it was dangerous to drive. He replaced both wheel bearing and hub assemblies. Test drive confirmed diagnosis.”
NHTSA complaint #10455857, filed 2012-04, 44,763 miles“Bought my 08'Toyota Tacoma used 10/21/19. Not knowing about the rust problem these seemed to have. It had 174000 miles on it, and so far I am first having to get a new oil pan, (rust hole) it is about a 7+ hour job because the cross member can not be removed . Cost will be about $800.00, while waiting for that to happen the rear axle (differential) started to leak. Another rust hole...the differential is one piece, no removable cover. Now I'm in for a used one and add labor it will be some around $1200.00 to $1500.00 to fix...what gives, this is way over the top for a 11 year old truck! …”
NHTSA complaint #11310276, filed 2020-02, 174,000 miles“I was traveling on the parkway, pittsburgh near pittsburgh international airport on march 8, 2009. Where this problem occurred is 3 lanes. I accelerated to pass a slow moving vehicle in the middle lane, the throttle stuck wide open and I was speeding as fast as this vehicle could go, I tried braking with one foot, then 2 feet, nothing was slowing me down. I was concentrating on what was around me and not the speedometer or gauges. …”
NHTSA complaint #10263322, filed 2009-03, 12,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244108Aug 16, 2023TSB: Some 2005 ? 2023 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with a manual transmission may exhibit a squeak or creak noise from the clutch pedal when it is depressed or released.
- 10164907Aug 19, 2019TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0186-12. * Applicability has been updated to include 2018 and 2019 model…
- 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…
- 10150021Sep 14, 2018Customer Support Program: Toyota has received reports in which customers have indicated that there is a drivetrain vibration and/or drivetrain noise. If the vehicle continues to…
- 10146002Jun 27, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE June 27, 2018 Rev2: ? The Production Change Information and the Parts Information sections have been updated. March 14, 2018 Rev1: ? The Production Change…
- 10142895Jun 20, 2018Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received reports in which customers have indicated that there is a drivetrain vibration and/or drivetrain noise. If the vehicle continues to…
- 10142876Jun 8, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE June 8, 2018 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to exclude 2016 ? 2017 model year Tacoma vehicles. ? The Repair Procedure section has been updated. May…
- 10152113Mar 14, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE March 14, 2018 Rev1: ? The Production Change Information and Repair Procedure sections have been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin…
- 10129996Feb 21, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE February 21, 2018 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2015 ? 2017 model year Tacoma vehicles. ? The Parts Information and Repair Procedure…
- 10129209Jan 23, 2018Dealer Daily Message: Customer Support Program ZH2 Certain 2005 ? 2011 Model Year Tacoma Coverage for Propeller Shaft Universal Joints ? If the ZH2 condition is present for an…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 31% |
| 2025 | 22 | 19% |
| 2024 | 55 | 35% |
| 2023 | 7 | 13% |
| 2022 | 10 | 17% |
| 2021 | 14 | 17% |
| 2020 | 15 | 17% |
| 2019 | 40 | 18% |
| 2018 | 29 | 14% |
| 2017 | 68 | 28% |
| 2016 | 136 | 42% |
| 2015 | 9 | 9% |
| 2014 | 13 | 14% |
| 2013 | 22 | 18% |
| 2012 | 35 | 12% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 29 | 10% |
| 2009 | 75 | 14% |
| 2008 | 23 | 5% |
| 2007 | 68 | 13% |
| 2006 | 56 | 7% |
| 2005 | 57 | 8% |
| 2004 | 22 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 5% |
| 2002 | 21 | 6% |
| 2001 | 15 | 4% |
| 2000 | 11 | 5% |
| 1999 | 16 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 3% |
| 1997 | 9 | 7% |
| 1996 | 14 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 7% |
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 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 Nov 1, 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