2008 Toyota Tacoma
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

- Class
- Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Body styles
- Access P/U Ext Cab S/Box 4WD/V6, Access P/U Ext Cab S/Box RWD, Double P/U Ext Cab L/Box 4WD (Auto), Double P/U Ext Cab S/Box 4WD (Manual)
- Engines
- 2.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 159–236 hp
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 20 city / 25 hwy
- Length
- 208.3–221.3 in
- Curb weight
- 3,455–4,129 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 9 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 22 MPG combined — 16% better than the average 2008 small pickup truck (18.9 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 236 hp, versus about 300 hp for similar 2008 models.
- Many owner complaints253 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 28 for similar models — most often about the suspension.
- 9 recallsMore than similar models (about 0). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 9 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Toyota Tacoma is a small pickup truck offered with 2 engines (2.7L 4-cyl and 4.0L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 208 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 128-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,949 lb (Access P/U Ext Cab S/Box 4WD/V6).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (20 city / 25 highway), 16% better than the 2008 small pickup truck average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
It has 9 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 253 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the suspension.
What changed for 2008
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Tacoma — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Tacoma →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Fremont, California · Tijuana, Baja California
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2008 Tacoma configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access P/U Ext Cab S/Box 4WD/V6 | 208.3 in | 74.8 in | 70.1 in | 128 in | 63.4 / 63.4 in | 3,949 lb | 58/42 |
| Access P/U Ext Cab S/Box RWD | 208.3 in | 72.4 in | 65.7 in | 128 in | 63.4 / 63.4 in | 3,455 lb | 58/42 |
| Double P/U Ext Cab L/Box 4WD (Auto) | 221.3 in | 74.8 in | 70.1 in | 140.6 in | 63.4 / 63.4 in | 4,129 lb | 58/42 |
| Double P/U Ext Cab S/Box 4WD (Manual) | 208.7 in | 74.8 in | 70.1 in | 128.3 in | 63.4 / 63.4 in | 4,050 lb | 58/42 |
| Prerunner P/U Ext Cab L/Box RWD | 221.3 in | 74.8 in | 70.1 in | 140.6 in | 63.4 / 63.4 in | 3,896 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma 2WD | 2.7L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 25 / 22 | +16% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Tacoma 2WD | 2.7L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | +11% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Tacoma 4WD | 2.7L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | +12% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Tacoma 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 18 | -5% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Tacoma 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 18 | +6% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Tacoma 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | -10% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Tacoma 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 18 / 16 | -6% | $4,200 | 555 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Toyota Tacoma under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 small pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Toyota Tacoma (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2008 Ford F-150 | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Colorado | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 GMC Canyon | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Nissan Frontier | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Honda Ridgeline | 17 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2008 Mazda B Pickup | 23 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (9)
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Jun 2, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V396000 · 7,749 vehicles
- Problem
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- Risk
- If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Nov 19, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V743000 · 3,233 vehicles
- Problem
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
- Risk
- Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
- Fix
- SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf Spring Assembly › Leaf · Sep 29, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V604000 · 710,711 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and 4x4 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion. While being driven, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components including the fuel tank, possibly puncturing the tank and causing a fuel leak.
- Risk
- If the fuel tank leaks fuel from being punctured, there is an increased risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners and dealers will install new rear leaf spring assemblies. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Aug 4, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V475000 · 20,000 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
- Risk
- If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Seat Belts · Aug 7, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V337000 · 342,451 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured September 14, 2004, through March 29, 2010; and model year 2011 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, through September 7, 2011. If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor.
- Risk
- If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies. Based on the inspection, the seat belt assembly will be replaced or new pre-tensioner screws will be installed with thread-locking sealant and a retractor spring cover with stopper ribs to prevent loosening of the screws. These services will be provided at no cost to the owner. The recall began during February 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Air Bags › Frontal · Mar 7, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V092000 · 495,470 vehicles
- Problem
- TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TACOMA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2004, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2008. OVER TIME, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION MAY DAMAGE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY (CLOCKSPRING) THAT POWERS THE DRIVERÂS AIR BAG MODULE. IF DAMAGE OCCURS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG MAY BECOME DEACTIVATED.
- Risk
- IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERÂS SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
- Fix
- TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER IS EXPECTED TO BE MAILED TO OWNERS DURING APRIL 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · Mar 4, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V148000 · 22,000 vehicles
- Problem
- TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FJ CRUISER, LAND CRUISER, TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)." WHEN FACTORY-INSTALLED WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH TOYOTA AUTHORIZED ACCESSORY WHEELS AND LT TIRES PRIOR TO FIRST SALE, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS WERE NOT RE-CALIBRATED CORRECTLY AND THEREFORE DO NOT START ILLUMINATING THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING TELLTALE AT THE REQUIRED MINIMUM ACTIVATION PRESSURE.
- Risk
- FAILURE TO WARN OF TIRE DEFLATIONS IS A NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 138 AND COULD LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- FOR THE LAND CRUISER, SEQUOIA, TACOMA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES, THE DEALER WILL RE-CALIBRATE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ON AFFECTED VEHICLES AND INSTALL AN UPDATED TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AT NO CHARGE. FOR THE FJ CRUISER VEHICLES, THE TPMS CANNOT BE RESET SO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THE TPMS WILL BE REPLACED. TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING THE REMEDY ECU. IF AN OWNER IS NOT CERTAIN WHETHER HIS OR HER VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THESE ACCESSORIES, PLEASE CONTACT ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 3, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V035000 · 271,417 vehicles
- Problem
- GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
- Risk
- THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 3, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles
- Problem
- SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
- Risk
- A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Not every 2008 Toyota Tacoma is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Toyota Tacoma buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 9 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Suspension — 97 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Structure › Body — 48 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Steering — 31 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 109,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota Tacoma. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Tacoma years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tacoma | 23 | 213 in | Not rated | 0 | 13 |
| 2025 Tacoma | 23 | 213 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 114 |
| 2024 Tacoma | 24 | 226.4 in | Not rated | 6 | 154 |
| 2023 Tacoma | 21 | 212.2 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 54 |
| 2022 Tacoma | 21 | 212.2 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 59 |
| 2021 Tacoma | 21 | 212.2 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 81 |
| 2020 Tacoma | 21 | 212.2 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 90 |
| 2019 Tacoma | 21 | 212.2 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 219 |
| 2018 Tacoma | 21 | 212.2 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 209 |
| 2017 Tacoma | 21 | 212.2 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 243 |
| 2016 Tacoma | 21 | 212.2 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 324 |
| 2015 Tacoma | 22 | 208.3 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 100 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →