2008 Toyota Tacoma Structure
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while his wife was entering the vehicle on the passenger’s side, the sidestep was stepped on, and there was an abnormal crunching sound coming from the step. The contact went to the passenger’s side front door and yanked on the sidestep, which caused the sidestep to almost separate from the sub frame. The contact looked underneath the vehicle and observed severe corrosion extending the length of the passenger’s and driver's side. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic due to the extent of the corrosion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,807.
I have a 2008 Tacoma with a severely rusted frame. I just bought it a few months ago but didn’t know the frame was this bad. It’s unsafe to drive in its current state. Toyota will not honor their now expired recall for their faulty frames. Their frames were not coated properly from the factory and almost all tacomas had this issues that were in the cooler states of the US, and around the world for that matter.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that during a routine oil change, he was advised that the sub frame had extensive corrosion on the rear and front passenger’s side of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was informed that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,950.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that underneath the vehicle there was an abnormal amount of rust on the frame. The front passenger side frame was deteriorating. The dealer was called and made aware of the failure however the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was parked and driven when necessary as they feared for their safety when the vehicle was driven. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the failure was a known issue. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while receiving an oil change, an independent mechanic discovered severe corrosion with the subframe of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for the State inspection, the dealer informed the contact that the subframe was severely corroded, and there was a large hole in the front leaf spring shackles. The dealer determined that the subframe needed to be reinforced at an auto body shop. The dealer provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that two extended warranty letters related to the failure were sent to the vehicle owners. The manufacturer informed the contact that the Extended Warranties had expired; however, the contact never received the letters. The failure mileage was approximately 107,811.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a wheel bearing replacement however, upon inspection, the contact was informed that the sub frame was extremely corroded. The contact was informed that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,808. The contact stated she was told find a shop to weld a metal piece but Marquardt Toyota but was informed there is nothing to weld.
Frame is rusted. Lancaster Toyota Mazda body shop recommended the frame be replaced. They will not repair it.
While driving at unknown low speed on 2 lane road, contact observed bed of truck rise vertically in the air, within the frame of rearview mirror. Upon pulling over, further investigation indicated that indeed, while adding body weight to the truck bumper, rear of bed, was more than sufficient to cause the front of the bed to rise. Truck was later moved to dealer location, Courtesy Toyota, Brandon, FL, for inspection. Inspection by Toyota indicated both frame rails were completely severed by corrosion. Truck was tagged out of service and not safe to operate by the OEM. This unit was inspected by same Toyota dealership in Jan 2019, for extended frame corrosion warranty program, and was passed for frame rail replacement as it did not meet the failure criteria of the incorrectly written test. This criteria DOES NOT address all failure modes, nor a normal population of "most likely" failure modes, thus allowing the OEM to side-step responsibility. placing consumers at great risk for bodily harm for both vehicle owners/operators, and the general public in proximity to the traveling vehicle. Known Quality issue. Known Safety issue. Harm is imminent. Financial damage imminent.
Red paint peeling off
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at unknown speeds and turning the steering wheel, there was an abnormal rattling sound heard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that frame was rusted after removing the heat shield. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 109,151.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that that there was corrosion underneath the front end of the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle had corrosion but that the vehicle was out of warranty and provided no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and advised the contact to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.
I purchased this vehicle used several years ago. I recently took it in for an oil change and my mechanic advised me that the underside was rusting out. There was a recall for this issue but it has expired and Toyota has refused to do anything.
1. Some years ago Toyota recalled the vehicle for inspection of the frame. Since it was relatively new, it did not need a frame replacement at that time. They claimed to have enhanced protection with some kind of coating. 2. Warrantee for frame corrosion was extended for 12 years but I did not receive a notice for reinspection when that was nearing the end for my vehicle. 3. Although my vehicle just passed inspection, I have been informed that corrosion is progressing, and I will not pass inspection in one two or three years. 4. My vehicle which has low mileage and is otherwise perfectly serviceable for my purposes, will have to be junked because Toyota refuses to take responsibility for shoddy manufacturing (or at least shoddy steel fabrication).
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO FAULTY FRAMES ON TRUCK. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $12,000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Takoma. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle and steering wheel would shake and vibrate. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic and local dealer who diagnosed that the subframe had experienced severe rusting and corrosion causing multiple holes to be present in the frame and the frame needed to be replaced. The contact was advised that due to the condition of the subframe the vehicle was unsafe to operate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 170,000.
The frame of my 2008 Toyota Tacoma prerunner truck is severely rusted. Is Toyota advising customers on steps to take care of this issue?
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle struck the curb. The contact heard an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the subframe was fractured due to extreme rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 113,000.
We purchased our 2008 Toyota Tacoma pick up about 2012 from Stephen's Toyota in Bristol,Connecticut. Recently it went in for an oil change and emissions testing, our mechanic and the owner of the garage told us to get in touch with Toyota right away, the frame on your truck should be covered under the recall, the truck is in perfect condition inside and out and no ruse other than the frame falling apart. I touched base with the dealer but parts department just say's sorry it's not cover.. wtf.... something about the recall expired???? What I"m seeing on line is Recalls don't expire they transfer from owner to owner and "we" never have received any recalls on this truck and had no clue the frame was bad! My wife drives my child around in this truck ever single day... I need this problem taken ASAP... God for bid something happens and she get's into an accident with my son.... Next step I talk to my attorney.... Douglas Lambert 65 West Broad St. Plainville, Conn. 06062
Frame is rusting away. I bought this vehicle in 2019 from a dealership and was just informed of this issue. No recall for this vehicle is showed on the website or Toyota dealership. I think the original owner along with previous owner never looked at the recall for this vehicle. I’m not sure what else to do.
truck. Multipte spots in frame with excessive rust and holes. Needs extensive frame Work, I want to know if it covers the guarantee of this
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that he took his vehicle for service and was informed that the chassis was extremely corroded. The contact was also informed that the failure was common. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in a service campaign where rust inhibitor was applied to the chassis of the vehicle however, the treatment failed to prevent the subframe from rusting. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that he took his vehicle to get inspected and was informed that the chassis was extremely corroded and would collapse if the mechanic attempted to jack the vehicle up. The contact became aware that the failure was common. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in a service campaign where rust inhibitor was applied on the chassis of the vehicle however, the treatment failed to prevent the subframe from rusting. The dealer nor the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage 267,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while receiving an inspection, the mechanic informed the contact that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,843.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while performing repairs under the vehicle, he noticed there was a crack on the sub frame and rusting. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would not replace the sub frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the anti-corrosion coating was already applied to the sub frame. The failure mileage was approximately 284,000.
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Quick Summary
The 2008 Toyota Tacoma has 47 Structure complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.