2008 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 250 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 21 involved a crash. 20 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 11, 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Campaign 08E050000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleNov 21, 2007
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.
THIS CONDITION MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER AIR BAG FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING AND REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE YOUR DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 07V541000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
250 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 9, 2026
N/a
Service brakes, Sep 25, 2025, crash
The brakes went to the floor and the whole car locked up. When I pressed the brakes to slow down it felt like something on the brakes just fell apart. I was in a car accident because of this I hit another car no no
Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2025
Starter has always been difficult but now key stuck in ignition and won't start either
Air bags, Jul 15, 2024
I purchased a 2008 Ford Focus from my father (now deceased). The airbag warning light has been on. When I had the OBD read, it came back with code # B2294 indicating a fault in a control module. My research makes me believe this vehicle should be included in NHTSA# 07V541000 (Ford # 07C19); however, both NHTSA and Ford say it isn't. I would like to find out why this particular vehicle was excluded and is there something I can do at this point to have it included.
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak and a corroded subframe. The contact was informed that the subframe was significantly thin due to corrosion and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,625. The VIN was unavailable.
Tires, Oct 15, 2023
Steering began to wobble and vehicle pulling hard to the right. Took car to Tires Plus for alignment and inspection. Technician advised the drivers side front tire has advanced tread separation and the front passenger side tire is beginning to separate and is cupping. My daughter drives this car. 205/50R/16 87H, passenger tire is dot [XXX], drivers side is [XXX] . Tires rated for 65k, they only have 34k miles of wear on them. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Apr 21, 2023
The trunk when pulled open will drop down. I pulled my trunk door all they way up went to get something inside the trunk it came down and hit me on the head. This has happened before I was able to catch it before it hit me. This time it hit me on the top of the head hard and my left hand when I tried to catch it. It comes down fast and forcefully. Something is wrong and seriously injure someone. I had a cut on my hand and couldn’t see my head for laceration. But I was afraid I could have been knocked out or had a concussion. Please look into this.
Electrical system, Oct 21, 2022
Ignition cylinder fails, leaving drivers stranded. Ford Focus online forums are plastered with numerous complaints about the focus ignition lock cylinder failure, and there are youtube videos showing how to repair it with tape or rigging a bypass push button ignition switch, but FORD should be fixing these issues so people are not stranded. Issue does not happen when driving, and only happens when key is off, and attempting to crank the car. Several people have complained about 500 dollar repairs that only last a few months before issue returns, and ford is very aware, but there are no recalls for the defect. I suppose a car that wont start is not considered dangerous, in itself, but the "hacks and fixes" for the issue can potentially be, and I think this deserves extreme scrutiny, as it affects several ford year models. drivers can suddenly be stranded miles from home and stuck with expensive repair costs that can render them without any transportation at all with no means of resolution.
Structure, Feb 19, 2022
Both Front Door latches have failed and will not open from the outside
Air bags, Dec 10, 2021
Airbag light came on. The vehicle has 123,000 on it. It just recently came on the dash while driving. I see there is no recall for airbag light indicator.
Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2021
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER WORKS FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT FEELS LIKE THE DOOR HANDLE ISN'T LATCHING ON TO THE MECHANISM INSIDE THE DOOR TO OPEN IT. I CAN OPEN MY DOOR FROM THE INSIDE THOUGH. I HAVE FOUND ONLINE THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND AM CONFUSED TO WHY NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED OUT FOR THE FAULTY DOOR HANDLE BRACKETS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 25, 2021
MY IGNITION SWITCH IS GETTING STUCK AND IT IS NOT ALLOWING ME TO TURN ON THE CAR. IT IS HARD TO TURN ON MY VEHICLE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS MARKING ON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, IT ISN'T ALLOWING MY VEHICLES MOTOR TO VENT OUT.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 25, 2021
THE GAS PEDAL GOES WITH GAS AND DECELERATES ON ITS OWN. BRAKE BOOSTER DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE MOTOR SHAKES AND LOOSES HORSEPOWER.
Structure, Nov 23, 2020
ENTERED VEHICLE AS USUAL CLOSED DOOR AND BEGAN DRIVING (VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION). WHILE IN OPERATION DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SWUNG OPEN. I ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE DOOR IMMEDIATELY BUT DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. IT BOUNCED OPEN AT EVERY ATTEMPT. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS I WAS ABLE TO CLOSE THE DOOR. I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN DOOR TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE THE DOOR LATCH PULLED BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN LATCH REMAINED IN PULLED POSITION AND DOOR UNABLE TO BE OPENED AT ALL. THIS MALFUNCTION APPEARS TO BE A BROKEN DOOR LATCH WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR VEHICLES (NOT INCLUDING MINE) NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 17V652000. HOWEVER FORD STATED MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. I AM CURRENTLY AWAITING A ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR AS IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION.
Service brakes, Aug 31, 2020
IF YOU HIT YOUR BRAKES AND THE ABS ACTIVATES MOMENTARILY BECAUSE YOU HIT A BUMP WHILE BRAKING OR JUST BECAUSE YOU HIT THE PEDAL A BIT TOO HARD, A LOSS OF BRAKES OCCURS. THE VALVE INSIDE THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACTIVATION OF THE ABS FAILS TO CLOSE COMPLETELY CAUSING FLUID BYPASS AND NO BRAKE PRESSURE RESULTING IN THE PEDAL FALLING TO THE FLOOR. AFTER SOME TIME, THE PEDAL RETURNS TO NORMAL FUNCTION AND THE HCU VALVE SEEMINGLY SEALS BE IT THE SAME DRIVE, OR A COUPLE DRIVES . THIS OCCURS AT RANDOM, ONLY WHEN THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF BRAKE PRESSURE AND ROUGH ROAD CONDITIONS COMBINE FOR THE ABS TO ACTIVATE. HOWEVER, THE BREAKS DO NOT RETURN IMMEDIATELY, SO YOU ARE FORCED TO DRIVE WITH VIRTUALLY NO BRAKES TILL IT FINALLY RESOLVES ON ITS OWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN STORMS, WHERE I HAD TO STOP HARD DUE TO DEBRIS IN THE ROAD. THIS IS ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC WHEN EXITING A HIGHWAY AND THE EXIT RAMP IS MILLED, SO WHEN YOU ARE BREAKING AND HIT THE GROOVED SECTION THE BRAKES DISAPPEAR. THIS ALSO OCCURS IF YOU HIT A ROUGH PATCH OF ROAD OR POTHOLE WHILE BREAKING. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS, WITH THE ROOT CAUSE BEING A DEFECTIVE VALVE DESIGN IN THE HCU AND IS A COMMON ISSUE ACROSS THE FORD LINEUP. THE ISSUE IS THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, HARD TO DIAGNOSE, AND ALWAYS MISDIAGNOSED AS AIR IN THE SYSTEM. THE ROOT CAUSE IS A FAULTY HCU CAUSING A VALVE TO FAIL TO SEAT PROPERLY AND ALLOW PRESSURE BLOWBY. THIS IS GOING TO LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT IS NOT PREDICTABLE, AND IT DOES NOT RECOVER UNTIL SOME TIME HAS PASSED. SO IMAGINE A FOCUS EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND LOSING THE BRAKES UNEXPECTEDLY AND FOR THE REST OF THE DRIVE - THAT IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING ABNORMAL IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, NO LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN THE OTHER DAY AND IT HAS YET TO RESET ITSELF - FORD NEEDS TO FIX IT!! LOSS OF BRAKES FROM HITTING A BUMP - SO DANGEROUS! *LN*JB
Power train, Jun 28, 2020
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY THROTTLE CONTROL/TRANSMISSION LIGHT JUST POPS ON AN I LOSE A GREAT AMOUNT OF POWER AND ACCELERATION. I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW AN HAD THE SENSOR ON THE THROTTLE BODY WHICH SEEMED TO HELP FOR ABOUT 2 DAYS THEN THE LIGHT POPPED BACK ON. IT DOES THIS A LOT WILL DRIVE FINE FOR ABOUT 25-30 MINUS AT ABOUT 50-55 MPH THE LIGHT POPS ON WITH ABOUT 30MPH WORTH OF POWER.I PULL OVER TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON IT TURNS THE LIGHT OUT AN ALL POWER IS RESTORED. I'VE LOOKED ONLINE AND EVERYONE SEEMS TO POINT TO THE THROTTLE BODY GOING BAD. THE CAR IS IN PERFECT SHAPE AND HAS A FRESH ALL AROUND TUNE UP.
Service brakes, Jun 11, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PORCARO FORD (6001 WASHINGTON AVE, RACINE, WI 53406 (262) 886-5200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Electrical system, May 6, 2020
CONSTITUENT WRITES IN REGARDS TO SWITCH ASY IGNITION FAILURE ON 2008 FORD FOCUS. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS FOR THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY. *JS
Wheels, Feb 9, 2020
GOING THROUGH REAR TIRES. CAUSING IT TO ACT LIKE REAR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE ON WET PAVEMENT. HAD AN ALIGNMENT DINE ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO AND HAD GOOD TIRES ON IT, THEY ARE NOW BALD. ALSO BACK END SLIDES WHEN HITTING EVEN SMALL BUMPS. FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, GOT IT ALIGNED AND NEW TIRES WAS FINE TILE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. GOT DECENT TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT ITS ALREADY DOING ITVAGAIN.
Power train, Jan 16, 2020
2008 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. *LD THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *JS
Electrical system, Dec 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CYLINDER IN THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME. THE IGNITION WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSTALLED A PIECE OF CARDBOARD IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Electrical system, Nov 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. INITIALLY, THE KEY HAD TO BE PUSHED DOWN FOR IT TO TURN AND START THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT HAD TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND WIGGLE IT UNTIL THE KEY TURNED AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE CONTACT CALLED FIRST FORD (LOCATED AT 292 WILLIAM S CANNING BLVD, FALL RIVER, MA 02721, (508) 730-1000) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 167,845.
Electrical system, Oct 26, 2019
WHEN I PUT KEY IN IGNITION MOST TIMES IT DOESNT CATCH AND CAR DOESNT TURN ON. I HAVE TO PUSH HARDER TO CRANK CAR ON OR TAKE KEY OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND KEEP TRYING UNTIL IT CATCHES. SOMETIMES WHEN I PULL KEY OUT PART OF IGNITION SWITCH PULLS OUT A LITTLE AND CAR VEGINS TO CHIME UNTIL I PUSH IGNITION SWITCH BACK IN. I KNOW THERE WAS A SIMILAR RECALL UNTIL THE 2005 MODEL, THIS ISSUE WAS NEVER FIXES FROM ALL THE RESEARCH IVE DONE ON THIS ISSUE
Air bags, Oct 6, 2019, crash
MY SON REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT ABOUT 35 MPH AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY OTHER VEHICLE WAS STOPPED
Service brakes, Sep 26, 2019
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. ON HIGHWAY AND REGULAR STREETS. BRAKE PEDALS APPLIED BUT ARE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. TO STOP I PUMP BRAKES AND EVENTUALLY THEY COME BACK. REPORTED PROBLEM TO DEALER BUT WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. HAVE REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKES IN THE LAST YEAR BUT PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. ALMOST HAD ACCIDENT YESTERDAY AND AM TERRIFIED OF DRIVING CAR. DON'T REMEMBER ANY RECALLS BUT HAVE BEEN READING OTHER PEOPLE'S COMMENTS ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHAT IS THE FIX FOR THIS!!! NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW!!! THIS CAR STILL HAS LOW MILEAGE I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE BUT I HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE I ALWAYS TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THEY KEPT SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I HAVE ALL OF MY SERVICE RECORDS AND PAPERS BUT SOLD THE CAR TO MY DAUGHTER [XXX] LAST YEAR AND SHE KEEPS HAVING SAME ISSUES. I HAVE TOLD HER TO GET RID OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE. I DROVE CAR FOR 10 YEARS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BUT DID HAVE SOME CLOSE CALLS. AT THIS POINT I WANT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND HOW TO FIX IT BECAUSE SHE IS A SINGLE MOTHER WITH NO MONEY TO BE BUYING CARS. I SAW A COMPLAINT THAT IT COULD BE THE ABS PUMP BUT THE 2008 WAS A ONE YEAR DESIGN AND CAN'T BE PURCHASED ANYMORE, IF THIS IS THE CASE THEN WE ARE SCREWED. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT THE CORRECT FIX IS IF YOU CAN.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM *TR