KnownCarProblemsHome › Toyota › 4Runner › 2008
2008 Toyota 4Runner Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota 4Runner, most often about the transmission (28% of complaints, typically around 23,500 miles). It is 11th of 27 4Runner model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2008 Toyota 4Runner problems
Transmission
27 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 23,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
New, from 15,000- 25, 000 miles, 2008 Toyota four runner, jerking when accelerated on the freeway. It is as if the shift gear or transmission is not properly working. This has occurred multiple times after the 15, 000 mile service. First dealership workers stated nothing wrong. Current dealership has not checked for…
I have a 2008 4Runner. I have always been happy with the vehicle, however, when shifting from reverse to drive the transmission does not engage immediately. This morning I was backing out of the post office where there are always people walking in front a nd in back of your vehicle. I shifted into reverse back up then…
Speed control
16 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 20,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
I own a 2008 Toyota 4Runner. I know it is not on the recall list, but a year ago I had an accident that fits the description of the sudden accelleration. No one at the time believed me when I said that I did nothing wrong, that the car just took off. In february 2009 I was on my way to work at around 6 am, everything…
Tl contact owns a 2008 Toyota 4Runner. While driving at 2 MPH, the contact applied the brakes and the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact had to depress the brake pedal several times before the vehicle would stop. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that they would send a representative to inspect the…
Body and structure
16 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Frame is extremely rusted and Toyota needs to address this problem. I also have various small pin point rust spots all over the 4Runner on the paint.
Vehicle's frame is very corroded overall and it has more than 15 inch long hole in the frame on the passenger front frame rail. It has been checked by Toyota dealership and determined unsafe to drive. Vehicle has only 90,000 miles and it is overall in excellent condition.
Brakes
15 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles.
Approx 1 week prior to 6/15 I started hearing an intermittent squeak when driving my car. I took my 4 runner in to have Toyota look at it, 2 days later they determined it "must be" the brake pump. My car is 4,000 miles past warranty. No one can tell me if it is safe to keep driving until I get it fixed and what might…
Tl contact owns a 2008 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that while driving less than 30 MPH with the brakes applied they failed to engage and made a loud popping noise. The contact then released and applied the brakes again with extreme pressure until the vehicle finally stopped. The dealer was informed about the…
Other or unspecified
12 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 129,000 miles.
Frame rust is so pervasive on my 2008 4Runner that the Toyota dealer refuses to make necessary repairs to transmission. The dealer suggested that I "walk away from the vehicle", citing future rust-related problems with caliper replacement and other routine maintenance. Rust on differential axle LED to the shearing off…
Frame rust. I have seen the recalls on other Toyota vehicles of the era due to premature frame rust. I know that the 4Runner should be on this list as well. It's rare to see a 4Runner with no frame rust. The frame rusts before any other part of the vehicle.
Suspension
11 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota 4Runner. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle for the state inspection, he was informed that the vehicle could not be inspected due to severe subframe corrosion. The contact stated that her son, an independent mechanic, later determined that the entire subframe and suspension…
Heavy corrosion caused the rear torsion bar to disconnect from the rear end while I was driving in oct. 2015. The frame and front end suspension is now very corroded. You can put your fingers through the bottom of the frame just in front of the rear wheels. This vehicle only has 69,400 miles on it.
Engine
9 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
After having timing belt replaced by Toyota dealer bob tyler of pensacola, florida; while driving belt came apart leading to loss of power, control, and making emergency stop. Toyota feels that failure is normal in less than 6 months.
Whenever I accelerate on the uphill or high accelerate then odor became really horrible, harsh smell, smell like tnt firework, either matches then egg rotten. I suspect the exhaust system seem faulty. I went multiple auto shop they mention it could be related to exhaust manifold but when I described that the odor came…
Wheels and tires
7 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 44,500 miles.
I purchased 4 sumitomo all terrain 110 tires on 3/04/2011. On september 29, 2011 the driver rear tire exploded creating a visible hole.
I took my vehicle in to the dealer for it's 30,000 mile scheduled maintenance even though it was a couple of thousand miles shy of the required service. They rotated the tires along with the other scheduled services. Shortly afterwards (less than 2 weeks) I noticed that it shimmied on the highway, something it had…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Toyota 4Runner recalls
Seats: seat heater/cooler
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats: seat heater/cooler
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: The remedy is now available. The safety recall began early april 2011. The remedy will involve modification or replacement of the accelerator pedal and replacement of any toyota all-weather floor mat. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 lexus lx570, 2003 through 2009 toyota 4runner, and 2006 through 2010 rav4 vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Equipment: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Unintended and uncontrolled acceleration
Summary
On february 16, 2010, NHTSA's office of defects investigation (odi) opened rq10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, toyota recalls 07e-082, 09v-388, 10v-017, and 10v-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in toyota and lexus vehicles.I. Pedal interference from floor mats, carpet covers and plastic pads in carpets.during the rq10-003 investigation, odi reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that toyota recall ad
Questions about the 2008 Toyota 4Runner
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota 4Runner?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (27 complaints, typically around 23,500 miles); speed control (16 complaints, typically around 20,500 miles); body and structure (16 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota 4Runner have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 2, 2016 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Toyota 4Runner?
- It is 11th of 27 4Runner model years by number of complaints, with 96 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.