Speed Sensor problems of the 2008 Toyota Tundra

Two problems related to speed sensor have been reported for the 2008 Toyota Tundra. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Toyota Tundra based on all problems reported for the 2008 Tundra.

1 Speed Sensor problem

Failure Date: 03/13/2010

Took vehicle to Toyota dealership on 3-1-10 for accelerator recall repair. On 3-13-10, during normal operation, several warning lights on dashboard came on and some were flashing as follows: vsc off-flashing, slip indicator-steady on, 4hi-flashing, 4 lo-flashing, abs-steady on. I stopped vehicle and turned ignition off. I restarted the vehicle, all warning lights were off and started driving again. Fifteen minutes later the same condition occurred, same warning lights. I stopped the vehicle and turned off the ignition. I called the Toyota dealership and the service department said they had no idea what would cause this condition and to continue to drive the vehicle. Over the next two days the same condition seemed to recur every time I drove the vehicle. On 3-15-10 the dealership picked up my vehicle for repair. They returned the vehicle to me the same day and told me to continue driving it as they had to order parts (right rear wheel speed sensor) and would call me when the parts came in to schedule repair. Over the next 9 days (waiting for parts), condition seemed yet even worse, uneven "jerky" acceleration, unexpected abs activation and/or braking. Inermittantly there would sometimes be what sounded like a grinding and/or clunking noise that sounded like it could be coming from the brakes and/or transmission. On 3-24-10 the Toyota dealership received the parts (right rear wheel speed sensor) and installed the same. That did not fix the problem. To date (3-31-10) the Toyota dealership still has my vehicle, they have replaced the right rear wheel speed sensor, wiring harness to the wheel speed sensor and stated today they will be replacing the wiring harness from the abs modulator to the wiring harness to the wheel speed sensor. I also spoke to the service manager at the dealership today (3-31-10) and he stated they would not return my vehicle to me until the problems are repaired as it is a "safety hazard".

2 Speed Sensor problem

Failure Date: 01/15/2010

I have a strong belief after my experience that Toyota has a defect with "speed sensor wires and may know and is keeping it under wraps. Maybe because of safety problems or that it's contributing to a short circuit and unintended acceleration as professor gilbert had demonstrated on abc with what could happen with a short circuit in some Toyota vehicles. Someone from Toyota headquarters that was visiting my dealership personally investigated my 2008 Tundras speed sensor wires which on one side had completely failed (snapped completely through) and was failing on the other side (partially broken through) at the same spot. Toyota chose to repair both but rather classified the repairs as a courtesy replacement versus under the vehicles warranty. This I have a strong belief was done to keep it off the books back at headquarters and under wraps. This happened in Jan of 2010. Other indications this is wider spread but unrealized as to being a defect problem: 1) the dealership had to wait a long time because they had a hard time retrieving replacement parts, probably low on stock due to other replacements. 2) the local dealership had repaired another Tundra at the same location for the same problem right before mine, which I heard about through a contact. 3) internet search indications. Note: at first glance a torn or split wire may appear to have been caused by road debris or in the case of a vehicle crash if wire already was exhibited problems may be thought to have been caused by an impact if discovered after an impact. Because of these two reasons if this problem is a defect it may explain why its not reported so readily. Thats my fear. From my findings im convinced what is creating this defect is in design. The wire passes through a harness which is clamped down to the frame and the a-arm which pivots up and down tugging on the wire which is also near the hot manifold and after time the constant bending and tugging breaks down the speed sensor wire.




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Tundra Service Bulletins
Tundra Safety Recalls
Tundra Defect Investigations