Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2008 Toyota TundraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 327 owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota Tundra. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (77) and structure (56). The EPA rates it 14–17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14–17mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
13campaigns
Latest Dec 2021
Owner complaints
327
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

13 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: hydraulic power assist system

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.

SteeringReported Dec 23, 2021NHTSA 21E103000

Steering: hydraulic power assist system

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.

SteeringReported Nov 23, 2021NHTSA 21V920000

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

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.

SeatsReported Jun 2, 2016NHTSA 16V396000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

327 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2007 – Aug 2026
  1. Vehicle speed control77
  2. Structure56
  3. Power train46
  4. Electrical system38
  5. Engine36
  6. Suspension29
  7. Engine and engine cooling19
  8. Service brakes16
  9. Fuel/propulsion system14

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Tundra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20001,026
2001421
2002511
2003411
2004466
2005377
2006545
2007390
2008327
200938
2010163
2011135
2012156
201385
201493
201551
2016120
201778
2018100
201974
202047
202124
2022433
2023417
2024358
2025144
Crashes reported
24
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

77 reports13 crashes
“On 5 different occasions between January-March 2023 the accelerator pedal continued to accelerate after the pedal pressure was released. Even with braking, the accelerator pedal did not decelerate. Pedal had to be lifted back to original position by using toe of foot underneath the pedal. Occurred 4 times in city driving and once on highway. Extremely hazardous conditions if I did not react to stop the acceleration. On three of the occasions I was behind a vehicle which could have caused an accident had my reaction not been quick. Toyota dealership stated all previous recalls in regards to accelerator pedal were complied with and refused any additional service to uncontrolled acceleration issues.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 27, 2023Vehicle speed controlODI 11519260

Structure

56 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the rear subframe of the vehicle was extremely rusted. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be inspected, and it was determined that there was severe corrosion to the rear subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact also informed the manufacturer that similar vehicles were under an undisclosed recall. The failure mileage was 284,023.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2026StructureODI 11712111

Power train

46 reports4 crashes
“My truck drove fine then all of a sudden my check engine, vsc and traction control light came on. I brought it to the shop and the code read P 2440. It is in limp mode and the shifting is sporadic.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2022Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11487190
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl · 4.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5) · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tundra 2WD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151917$3,650523
Tundra 2WD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141816$3,900555
Tundra 2WD
Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141715$4,150592
Tundra 4WD
Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131615$4,150592
Tundra 4WD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131714$4,450635
  • Tundra 2WD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 2WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 2WD
    Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    14 city · 17 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 4WD
    Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    13 city · 16 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Tundra 4WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Toyota Tundra as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 2509Vehicle 2508Vehicle 2507
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Tundra questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Tundra have?

13 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Toyota Tundra problems?

Owners filed 327 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (77), structure (56), power train (46). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Toyota Tundra get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Toyota Tundra at 14–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026