1. TURNING RIGHT IN 2008 TOYOTA TUNDRA OUT OF PARKING LOT AT WORK OR INTO TRAFFIC, I DECELERATE PREPARING TO TURN RIGHT AND REMOVE PRESSURE FROM GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE DURING THE TURN. WHEN I REAPPLY PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL DURING THE TURN THE TRUCK DOES NOT ACCELERATE ONLY THE ENGINE ACCELERATES. ADDING ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL ONLY CAUSES THE ENGINE TO ACCELERATE MORE. WHEN THE TRANS…
2008 Toyota Tundra powertrain problems
severe 37 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
37
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WON'T ACCELERATE OVER 45 MPH. ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. SEEMS LIKE TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WON'T DO ANYTHING TO RECALL THE PROBLEM. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE ON OUR 2008 TUNDRA 4WD DRIVE HAS FAILED, REPEATEDLY THIS PAST WEEK WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON A PUBLIC STREET. IN THIS "FAIL" CONDITION, THE TRANSFER CASE MAKES A GRINDING NOSE, THE TRANSFER CASE ALARM BUZZER MAKES NOSE AND IRRESPECTIVE OF TRANSMISSION POSITION OR TRANSFER CASE SELECTION (2WD, 4WD HI, 4WD LO) FAILS TO ENGAGE IN LOW OR HI, AND MOST TROUBLING,…
I HAVE A REMOTE START SYSTEM ON MY TRUCK, I REMOTE START MY TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED ON A LEVEL SURFACE, NOSE POINTING IN TOWARDS HOUSE. THE DRIVEWAY DROPS OFF INTO A SLOPE, BUT THE TRUCK WAS ON THE FLAT SURFACE AREA. WE GO OUTSIDE TO GET IN IT, AND IT'S GONE. IT'S NOT IN THE DRIVEWAY AND IT'S NO WHERE TO BE SEEN. I LOOK OVER TOWARDS THE CREEK, NOPE NOT THERE. LOOK OUT FRONT, THERE'S MY TRUCK …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND PULL ABNORMALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ECM TERMINALS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2008 Toyota Tundra?
It's a meaningful issue. 37 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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