The 2008 Tacoma lasts over 350,000 miles with only some paint and door lock issues. At $5,117 – 16,217, it’s expensive, but worth it for a very dependable truck.
Is the 2008 Toyota Tacoma a Good Used Truck?
- Yes, 2008 is a good year for the Tacoma. Reviews from owners like the off-road performance, simple interior, and comfortable ride.
- Reliability ratings are excellent. Going with a Tacoma from 2005–2015 is a good choice, with more problems on the 2016
- Performance is okay from the 4-cylinder, but the V6 is a better choice for hauling.
- The Tacoma is an exceptionally safe truck, getting a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests.
- Fuel economy is okay for a truck at up to 18 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Tacoma?
- Consumer Reports says the Tacoma is very competitive, and has above average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Tacoma a 4.4/5 liking the great build quality, but says the V6 is noisy.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Tacoma 4.7/5 and enjoy the reliable engine, but find the suspension rides rough.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Toyota Tacoma Have?
Problems with the 2008 Tacoma are fairly minor including chipping paint, door lock actuator failures, and rare unintended acceleration.
Chipping paint is the most common complaint from owners showing up in the first 65,000 miles. The only way to fix chipping paint is to repaint the affected areas at a cost of about $1,000 per panel.
Door lock actuator failures happen on a lot of trucks at around 60,000 miles. Replacing the actuators costs around $400 and fixes the problem.
Unintended acceleration is mentioned by some owners at roughly 40,000 miles. The computer is the most common source of the problem, and resetting it solves it in some cases, and in others it’s just user error.
There are 11 fairly minor recalls on the 2008 Tacoma, with the most serious being for the rear leaf springs, which can fracture and increase the risk of an accident.
How Long Will the 2008 Toyota Tacoma Last?
A properly maintained 2008 Tacoma can last over 350,000 miles, which is over 100,000 miles more than the Ford Ranger which is a popular compact rival. Regular annual maintenance costs are lower than average for a truck, at only $408 per year.
Most 2008 Tacoma models will have over 100,000 miles so prospective buyers should be prepared to replace axle shafts for $600, the starter relay costing $115, and the window regulators which cost $200.
I have never experienced any issues with my prerunner. I did have a recall for the frame but Toyota immediately fixed the problem.
It is very reliable. The only thing that it needs is just the regular maintenance and oil changes. It runs like a charm.
This is a 4x4 trd sport. No problems with routine maintenance. The only minor problem is the outside temperature has failed.
The 2008 Toyota Tacoma base is very very reliable. I usually do not have many problems at all. Of course you have to change the oil change here and there but it is very reliable. It does not have any problems that cannot be fixed and it is very affordable to fix.
Very reliable car. Haven't had any major issues in the 11 years I have had it. Just performing basic maintenance on the vehicle is really all that is needed.
How Much Is the 2008 Toyota Tacoma Worth?
Blue book values range from $5,117 – 16,217, making the Tacoma about $4,000 more than a Nissan Frontier or Chevy Colorado. When new, the price range was $14,280 to $26,115. Depreciation is almost non-existent, losing only about 3% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Tacoma?
Three models of the 2008 Tacoma are available. The infotainment technology is outdated since it was last updated in 2004, and new safety technology was added in 2009.
Base is the entry-level model and has:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Power Windows & Door Locks
- 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo
PreRunner is a popular choice, adding:
- 17-Inch Aluminum Wheels
- Premium Cloth Seating
- Remote Keyless Entry
- Off-Road Suspension Upgrade
- Optional Leather Seating
X-Runner is built for on-road performance with:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Unique Two-Tone Interior Fabric
- Lowered Sport Suspension
- 6-CD Changer
What Engines Come In the Tacoma?
- The base engine is a relatively weak 2.7L 4-cylinder with only 159 horsepower, which gets up to 22 MPG combined.
- An available upgrade is the more powerful 4L V6, which makes 236 horsepower and gets up to 18 MPG combined. This model can tow up to 6,500 pounds with the optional tow package.
What Colors Does the Tacoma Come In?
How Big Is the Tacoma?
The 2008 Tacoma is a compact truck similar in size to the Dodge Dakota or Nissan Frontier. Three cabin configurations are available including a 2-door regular cab, 4-door access cab, and larger 4-door double cab. Passenger room is cramped in the backseats of all models.
There are also two bed lengths available including a 5-foot short bed used on the double cab, and 6-foot long standard bed on the regular and access cab models.
How Does the Tacoma Compare to the Competition?
The Honda Ridgeline is a popular competitor costing about $2,000 less. Passenger room is better in the Ridgeline, but the Tacoma is superior off-road. We recommend the Tacoma since they have fewer complaints and last longer.
The Ford Ranger is another compact truck which costs about $3,000 less. Where the Ranger stands out is that it’s smaller and easier to fit in city streets, but the Tacoma is more reliable. We recommend the Tacoma since they last longer and are a more powerful truck.
Do Owners Recommend the Toyota Tacoma?
Yes, very reliable. Toyotas also hold their value, so if you ever want to sell it, you have more money towards your next vehicle. These vehicles run forever!
Yes, it has 117k miles and is running like a charm and will continue doing well for many more miles to come.
Yes, average maintenance and washing. Looks almost brand new. Small amount of rust around towing ball.
Yes the Toyota Tacoma is a very good vehicle. I would recommend this to all my family and friends. It never lets me down. It is a very affordable to fix anything that it is stop working. It is very spacious and smooth.
Overall it is a great vehicle. I have had it for 11 years now. It has 260,000 miles on it and is still running great. As long as you maintain the vehicle then you will definitely get your money's worth.
