Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
5TEMU52N38Z••••••2008 Toyota TACOMA
This build draws 1.8× more complaints than the average 2008 Toyota TACOMA build (5 vs 3).
5on this build
413on the model
145builds in total
1involved a crash
Most reportedStructure 3Service Brakes 1Hydraulic 1Exterior Lighting 1
What owners of this build wrote
Service BrakescrashMay 2008
New 08 toyota tacoma less than 1,000 miles. Stopped in a parking lot with foot on brake. Sudden uncontrolled acceleration. Thought another car had hit our new toyota truck from behind and was pushing our truck. Had brake pedal pushed as far as it would go, our truck accelerated…
StructureApr 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that during a routine oil change, he was advised that the sub frame had extensive corrosion on the rear and front passenger’s side of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was informed that the…
Exterior LightingApr 2017
Headlight assembly inner lens distortion. Toyota never sent me the extension of warranty notice for this defect, my dealership did not mention it to me and now neither will cover this obvious and recognized safety defect even though I have owned the vehicle since 2010 when the…
StructureOct 2023
Frame is rusted. Lancaster Toyota Mazda body shop recommended the frame be replaced. They will not repair it
StructureOct 2015
I purchased a brand new 2008 toyota tacoma. It came with geninue factory installed running boards. About a year ago I noticed pitting on the running boards (both sides of the vehicle) the corosion started at the rear of the boards (near the rear wheels). I brought the truck to…
Owner complaints…
Now the whole model — all 145 builds of it, not just this build. Same NHTSA reports, wider net:
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Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN 5TEMU52N38Z480753 · decoded Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.