Two problems related to tailgate have been reported for the 2008 Toyota Tacoma. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Toyota Tacoma based on all problems reported for the 2008 Tacoma.
My 2008 Toyota Tacoma has a factory bed extender. Which allows use to use the tailgate as part of the truck bed. Due to the small 5 ft bed. Load the weight of a rototiller into the truck cased the tailgate to bow and become unstable. They do not have any weight limit or restriction posted. If they sell parts to use the tailgate to support items it should not fail under such light loads. 2008 Toyota Tacoma tailgate is dangerously weak, and is unable to support what most consider normal weight for a truck tailgate. Although substandard design may be considered "buyer beware", truck buyers expect a tailgate to support the weight of normal truck use activities. Toyota provides no warning or caution anywhere that the tailgate is of insufficient strength to perform normal 1/2-ton truck duties, and typically (per internet forum threads) tells their customers that it is their problem and that they should not expect to be able to safely use the tailgate for anything more than hiding the inside of the bed. Since Toyota has produced a substandard designed part, they should have provided a visual warning on the part to alert customers to the danger their product imposes if used in a traditional manner. Since they did not do so, they should be held liable to provide a redesigned part to their customers or full restitution for the purchase price of the vehicles. A google or similar internet search on "tacoma tailgate forum" will substantiate my statements beyond my personal experience with the tailgate bending.
Fuel filler neck flap broke off and fell into the tank. Gas mileage is terrible. Left turn signal stayed on and air conditioner was working intermittently. Took vehicle to champion Toyota on 10-15-09. Dealership stated that flap inside tank is normal. . . They repaired turn signal and stated that this could have caused the a/c to not work properly. Dealership stated that wires were burnt together causing the turn signal to stay on. Received vehicle back on 10-20-09. Also, I had taken the vehicle to dealership a few months prior to the 10-15-09 incident concerning a/c not working, they said they corrected problem. Also, tailgate has bowed after moving a light dryer. Dealer states that tailgate is not rated.