TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Toyota Tundra brakes problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 18 brakes complaints filed for the 2008 Toyota Tundra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗It has been brought to our attention that claim processing for LSC BST Phase 3 (2003-2009 4Runner and 2007-2010 Tundra vehicles) we be delayed until Monday April 7, 2014.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a recurring pattern of soft, low brake pedal feel with excessive travel—sometimes 3.5–4 inches—that dealers claim meets NHTSA spec when the engine is off but feels unsafe when driving. One owner paid $113 for a full system bleed and fluid flush that did nothing.
Multiple owners experienced sudden unintended acceleration where the engine revved uncontrollably, emergency brake and neutral shift were ineffective, and the vehicle only stopped after coasting nearly half a mile. Dealers blamed floor mats or found no codes.
ABS actuator failures are common: some trucks are stuck in park with warning lights across the dash (brake, check engine, ABS, airbag) and inoperative turn signals and speedometer. One repair required a fusible link backordered from Japan. Another actuator failure knocked out 4WD and speedometer entirely, costing $2,500.
Brake vibration and shaking above 40 mph persists even after pad and rotor replacement; Toyota issued TSB 0131-12 in August 2012 but refuses to apply it outside warranty. Multiple owners report brake pedal jolt or lock-up, slow pedal return, and ABS-related banging during shifts. One caliper mounting bolt corroded so badly the caliper moved freely around the rotor. Dealers frequently cannot reproduce problems in 3-minute test drives and refuse further work without a code.
Same Toyota Tundra brakes reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Soft, low brake pedal / excessive travel
Brake pedal goes almost to the floor or feels squishy with engine running, despite full fluid level and system bleeds. Multiple owners report pedal travel measuring 3.5–4 inches or more. Dealers claim the condition is within spec when engine off, but unsafe when driving.
When: Ongoing throughout ownership; one case at 17,000 miles, another in early September 2017
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal travels excessively (3.5–4 inches or more); Pedal feels soft or squishy; Hard pedal when engine off, soft when running; Must step down hard for brakes to engage
Codes mentioned: C1336 (ABS zero-point calibration/ABS pump)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid ~$113 for full fluid replacement and computerized ABS bleed—issue unresolved. Another case involved master cylinder and brake booster replacement under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed condition is normal for 2008 Tundra and within NHTSA specs (measured with engine off). Toyota offers no remedy.
ABS system noise—loud bang during gear shift
Loud bang noise occurs during transmission shift from 2nd to 3rd gear, described as sounding like hitting metal debris. ABS self-test between 10–20 mph reportedly over-tests. Dealer replaced an ABS-related part (~$3,000) after 25 days, but noise persists at reduced volume. Confirmed present on new Tundra off lot.
When: Occurs during acceleration/shift, initiated at startup self-test (10–20 mph). First complaint at purchase (4/30/2008), noise began 5/1/2008.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud bang when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear; Sound like hitting something metal on road; Happens most trips after entering vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Part replaced (~$3,000) after 25 days in shop; noise reduced but not eliminated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No official recall or TSB mentioned. Dealer determined issue was abnormal ABS self-test cycle; suggested condition is normal across 2008 Tundra line.
Sudden unintended acceleration—uncontrollable throttle
Engine suddenly accelerates without pedal input while driving. Owner applied emergency brake and shifted to neutral—both had no effect. Vehicle only stopped after coasting ~0.5 mile. Second incident occurred six months later at lower speed; owner was forced into embankment to avoid collision. Dealers found no codes and blamed floor mats.
When: First incident 7/29/2009 on freeway at 65 mph; second 1/15/2010 at 25 mph on residential street
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifting erratically, speed ranging 60–80 mph then back down; Engine revving up and down uncontrollably; Emergency brake and neutral shift ineffective; Smoke from engine; No stopping possible without extended coasting
Repairs/costs cited: First dealer found no problem and blamed floor mats; charged owner for worn brakes and bent rotors caused by the event. Second dealer found no issue with sudden acceleration, worn pads, or bent rotors.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Two dealers found no problem. Owner drove truck for six months between incidents and third visit yielded no answers after truck was held over one month.
ABS controller failure—vehicle stuck in park, warning lights
Vehicle would not shift out of park; owner released lock manually. ABS controller not working. Second failure occurred August 31, 2014, with same symptoms: brake, check engine, ABS, and airbag warning lights illuminated; turn signals and speedometer also inoperative. Dealer attributed low voltage.
When: First occurrence not dated; second 8/31/2014. Truck held at dealership one month waiting for backordered fusible link.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle locked in park—will not shift; ABS controller not functioning; Brake, check engine, ABS, airbag warning lights on; Turn signal inoperative; Speedometer inoperative; Multiple safety system warnings
Repairs/costs cited: Fusible link replaced (backordered, required manufacturing from Japan due to high demand). ABS controller replacement: used $300–$1,953 new. Truck held at dealership one month second time.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer told owner they had no idea of the cause. Owner suggested low voltage was responsible.
Master cylinder and brake booster failure
Brake warning light began blinking, then came on steady. Brake fluid reservoir found nearly empty at dealership; a few more days would have resulted in total brake failure.
When: Brake light started blinking ~9/11/2010 at 17,000 miles; still on 9/20/2010 when taken to dealer
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light blinking then steady; Brake fluid reservoir near empty; No dashboard codes or warning on oil service two months prior
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder and brake booster replacement under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repair performed under warranty; no recall or extended program mentioned.
Brake pedal jolt and locking after accelerator pedal recall repair
Following recall repair (NHTSA campaign 09V388000—accelerator pedal), vehicle exhibited sudden abnormal jolt when brakes applied, as if brakes locked. Occurred on two separate occasions.
When: Post-repair, at ~30,432 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden abnormal jolt when applying brakes; Brakes feel locked
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer twice; no failure located. Left with dealer for further diagnostic testing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to locate a failure.
Slow brake pedal return / sluggish brake release
Brake pedal stays down and releases back up slowly after applying brakes. Brakes do not release fast enough to allow normal acceleration. Occurs frequently during all types of driving.
When: Ongoing for extended period prior to complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal stays down after pressing; Slow pedal return/release; Cannot accelerate after braking because brakes hold; Happens frequently at any speed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer test drive (3 minutes) could not reproduce; no repairs attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to duplicate and refused further diagnostic work.
ABS-induced brake lock-up while towing
While pulling a 7,000-lb travel trailer at 2–3 mph and applying front brakes, all brakes locked up. Truck skidded forward approximately 8 feet. Recall 09V388000 had previously been performed.
When: Post-recall repair, at 21,625 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete brake lock-up; Truck skid forward ~8 feet; Loss of control while towing
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer found nothing wrong.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to locate any failure.
Brake caliper mounting bolt corrosion and deterioration
Brake caliper mounting bolt (Toyota part number TO47814-0C010) completely deteriorated, allowing entire caliper to move freely around rotor. Discovered during routine brake inspection on low-mileage vehicle not driven hard. Dealership deemed vehicle unsafe to drive.
When: Discovered during routine brake inspection; low-mileage vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Caliper bolt corroded and deteriorated; Caliper moves freely around rotor; Affects braking ability
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership noted vehicle unsafe to drive until repair. Caliper mounting bolt (half-inch) should not deteriorate at low mileage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or extended service program mentioned.
Sudden acceleration while in cruise control—requires heavy braking
While in cruise control, truck accelerated when owner attempted to pass. Upon releasing throttle, truck went to full throttle and would not decelerate. Owner had to stand on brakes to stop. Incident occurred once.
When: Single occurrence; current mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Full throttle engagement while in cruise control after attempting pass; Unable to decelerate by normal means; Requires heavy braking to stop
Repairs/costs cited: Truck needs new rotors and pads (worn from hard braking). Toyota will not help with repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota refused to assist with repairs. Floor-mat interaction with gas pedal noted by consumer; all-weather mat can trap pedal if not clipped in place.
Brake pedal collapse with buzzing noise
While applying pressure to brake pedal at very low speed (5 mph), brake pedal fell to floorboard accompanied by buzzing noise from vehicle. Owner had to shift to park and release brake pressure to stop noise.
When: At approximately 25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal collapsed to floorboard; Buzzing noise from vehicle during collapse; No dashboard warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not taken to dealer for repairs or diagnosis.
Brake vibration and shaking at highway speeds
Vehicle violently shakes when braking at 40+ mph, causing instability and driver distraction. Condition persists even after replacement of both front discs and all brake pads. TSB 0131-12 released August 2012, but Toyota dealerships and headquarters refuse to fix defect outside warranty period.
When: Ongoing; vehicle is 2008 with warranty expired in 2011
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking during braking at 40+ mph; Loss of stability; Driver distraction; Persists after brake pad and disc replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced both front disks and brake pads all around; shaking continues. TSB 0131-12 issued August 2012.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 0131-12 available but Toyota will not perform repair outside warranty (expired 2011).
VSC/ABS/brake warning lights flashing—no diagnostic code
Vehicle stability control (VSC), 4Hi/4Lo, ABS, and brake warning lights all flash simultaneously. Owner brought vehicle to dealer three times; dealer cannot reproduce problem and refuses service because no diagnostic code is set.
When: Occurring at 88,500 miles; warranty ends at 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: VSC light flashing; 4Hi/4Lo light flashing; ABS light flashing; Brake light flashing; All lights flash together
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted. Owner provided dealer with online articles documenting same issue and resolution for same vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer refuses service because no diagnostic code present, despite multiple visits and similar documented cases.
ABS actuator failure—multi-system cascade
ABS actuator failure disables multiple vehicle systems: antilock brakes inoperative, 4-wheel-drive inoperative, speedometer inoperative, and all related dashboard functions fail. Repair cost $2,500 for a three-year-old truck.
When: Failure at unknown mileage; truck only three years old at time of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: ABS actuator inoperable; Antilock brake system disabled; 4-wheel-drive disabled; Speedometer inoperative; Multiple dashboard function failures
Repairs/costs cited: ABS actuator replacement, $2,500.
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota tundra. The contact was driving approximately 5 MPH while applying pressure to the brake pedal when the brake pedal fell to the floorboard and there was a buzzing noise coming from the vehicle. The contact had to shift the gear back to park and stop applying pressure to the brake in order to stop the noise. There were no lights illuminated on the dashboard. The…
Had brakes trouble with your 2008 Toyota Tundra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2008 Toyota Tundra?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 19,900 and 88,500 miles, with the median around 30,432. A quarter of owners report trouble before 19,900; a quarter make it past 88,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Toyota/Tundra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.