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: electrical system
57 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Wheels, Visibility/wiper, Feb 26, 2016
MY. 2008 FORD, FOCUS HAS FACTORY INSTALLED SUNSHINE SHIELD ON ALL WINDOWS. IT HAS BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THROUGH THE BACK WINDSHIELD, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT, THE INSTALLED SHADE HAD BECOME FOGGY! MY CAR EATS TIRES WHICH HAVE TO BE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY EVERY 2.5YEARS. THE HEATER/AIR-CONDITIONER FAN HAS SHORTED OUT 3 TIMES, THANKFULLY, NO FIRE HAS BEEN STARTED! ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS OCCUR ON STATIONARY OR MOVING VEHICLE. THE ONLY COMPLAINT THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE SHOP IS THE TIRE COMPLAINT. NO PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED.
Electrical system, Feb 24, 2016
3 OF MY 4 DOOR HANDLES DO NOT WORK THE PIN CAME OUT INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL ALLOWING ME TO ONLY USE MY BACK PASSENGER DOOR TO GET IN MY CAR I HAD MY KEYS IN HAND BUT THE DOOR WOULDNT OPEN CAUSING ME TO CALL AAA TO GET IN IM VERY UNHAPPY AND I WILL BE CONTACTING ANYONE I HAVE TO IN ORDER TO FIX THIS IM NOT PAYING FOR IT.
Structure, Electrical system, Jan 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ *CN
Electrical system, Jan 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY HAD TO BE FORCED INTO THE IGNITION AND SHAKEN FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Electrical system, Aug 25, 2015
MY FOCUS DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK. NOT ONLY WILL THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM NOT LOCK AND/OR UNLOCK THE DOORS BUT IT IS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK THEM MANUALLY. SO THE CAR WHEREVER IT IS IS ALWAYS UNLOCKED. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT PARTS ARE BACK ORDERED FOR MONTHS OUT AS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FOCUS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WHEN IT COMES TO THEFT BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY PREDATORS.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 9, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON THE BELTWAY THE CAR STALLS AND SHUTS OFF AND WILL NOT RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND ONCE A TRUCK JUST MISSED ME TRYING TO COAST TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. IT HAS BEEN TO TWO SHOPS THAT SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. TODAY I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I FOUND THE OTHER COMPLAINT HERE ON THIS SITE WHILE LOOKING FOR RECALLS. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FAILURE AND THESE IGNITIONS MISSING A SCREW SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED.
Electrical system, Jun 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,707. UPDATED 8/31/15*CN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY A REPAIR SHOP. UPDATED 09/08/15*JB
Electrical system, Dec 30, 2014
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. REPEATED PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASED NEW!! KEY WON'T TURN LOCK OR GETS STUCK. *JS
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 23, 2014
I WENT SHOPPING WITH MY NIECE LAST YEAR AROUND THIS TIME AND I LOCKED MY CAR THE 2008 2 DOOR FORD FOCUS SES, I HAD COME OUT WITH IT POURING RAIN AND I GOT LOCKED OUT OF THE CAR ONLY INSTEAD OF THE KEYS BEING INSIDE THE VEHICLE IT JUST WASN'T WORKING. I RAN BACK INTO WAL-MART THINKING IT WAS THE KEYPADS BATTERY BUT NOPE SOON TO FIND OUT IT WAS WORKING FINE BUT THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO UNLOCK, SO I HAD TO CONTACT MY BOYFRIEND TO COME GRAB MY NIECE UNTIL THE LOCKSMITH GOT TO ME. HE CLICKED THE INSIDE UNLOCK BUTTON MANY MANY TIMES AND STILL COUPLING GET IN, WE TRIED USING THE ACTUAL KEY ITSELF STILL WOULDN'T WORK SO I HAD TO USE THE METAL ROD THAT'S NORMALLY USED FOR UNLOCKING THE CAR TO CLIMB FROM THE TRUNK AND GET THE LATCH THREW THE SEATS TO CLIMB ALL THE WAY THREW THE CAR SO ABOUT 5 HOURS LATER I FINALLY GOT INTO MY CAR AND OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR FIRST AND EVER SINCE MY OUTSIDE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT WORK. THIS HASN'T HAPPENED TO ME QUITE LIKE THIS BUT I'VE OWNED 6 FOCUSES THAT ALL THE DOOR HANDLES HAD TO BE REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS LOCKOUT THING HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES SO I CAN'T EVEN LOCK MY CAR AND I KEEP THE WINDOW DOWN JUST INCASE. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 16, 2014
RANDOMLY THE BACK DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. THEY WILL REMAIN IN THE "LOCKED" SETTING. THEY WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. UNABLE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK/OPEN EITHER DOOR. SOMETIMES BOTH DO THIS SIMULTANEOUSLY AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL BE ONE OR THE OTHER. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND THIS STARTED HAPPENING A FEW YEARS LATER. IT WAS SELDOM IN THE BEGINNING BUT NOW IT IS ALMOST ALWAYS THAT ONE OR BOTH DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. IF I CARRIED BACK SEAT PASSENGERS OFTEN THIS WOULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM AS THIS IS A SMALL CAR AND VERY LITTLE ROOM AVAILABLE TO CRAWL IN/OUT FROM FRONT SEAT. THIS COULD EASILY TURN INTO AN EMERGENCY SITUATION ON A HOT DAY AND A LARGE PERSON LOCKED INSIDE UNABLE TO GET OUT. A WHILE BACK THE FRONT DOOR HANDLE ALSO BEGAN STICKING. THE DOOR UNLOCKS BUT THE HANDLE DOESN'T ALWAYS FEEL LIKE IT RELEASES ALL THE WAY TO ALLOW THE DOOR TO OPEN. THEN WHEN IT DOES OPEN, SOMETIMES THE HANDLE HAS TO BE MANUALLY PUSHED BACK INTO THE DOOR BEFORE THE DOOR WILL LATCH. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 4, 2014
THE BACK DOOR WON'T UNLOCK THERE FOR RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THEM AT ALL. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 13, 2014
THE IGNITION SWITCH,WHEN I TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION IT SOMETIMES STICKS IN THIS POSITION AND STICKS IT DOES THIS EVERY OTHER TIME WHEN I TURN ON THE VEHICLE IT FEELS THE KEY IS GOING TO GET STUCK IN THE STARTING POSITION IT DON'T SPRING BACK THE WAY IT SHOULD. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 13, 2014
I PURCHASED MY CAR USED AND WAS VERY HAPPY WITH IT FOR THE FIRST 3 YEARS, BUT NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE HAD ONE PART REPLACED, BUT THEY ARE TELLING MY THAT IT IS JUST A TEMPORARY SOLUTION AS AFTER ONLY 2 WEEKS IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I WOULD DRIVE SOMEWHERE AND GO INTO A STORE, ONLY TO COME OUT AND CAN'T START MY CAR. SOME TIMES IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME OTHER DAYS JUST ONCE. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ANOTHER PART THAT COULD COST OVER $800, WHEN THE FIRST TIME IT WAS OVER $250! THIS IS GETTING CRAZY AS I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE AND FIX THEM!! *JS
Electrical system, May 22, 2014
TRAVELED 1152 MILES FROM NORTH CAROLINA TO WISCONSIN. CAR HAD PROBLEMS WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED TO START THE ENGINE EACH TIME I WOULD STOP. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. I TURNED THE KEY AND COULD ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS AND TURN ON THE RADIO, WITH THE KEY REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR
Electrical system, May 19, 2014
I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION KEY NOT GOING IN THE IGNITION. THAT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. *JS
Suspension, Electrical system, Wheels, Sep 27, 2013
I AM HAVING MAJOR ISSUES WITH STARTING MY VEHICLE. I WILL TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING HAPPENS. I HAVE TO FORCEFULLY TURN MY STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH BEFORE MY VEHICLE WILL START. THIS IS HAPPENING WITH BOTH KEYS THAT I OWN. ALSO I'M ON MY THIRD SET OF TIRES AS THEY ARE WEARING ON THE INSIDE VERY QUICKLY. I'VE HAD ALIGNMENT AFTER ALIGNMENT DONE AND NOTHING IS FIXING THE ISSUE. THIS IS MY SECOND FOCUS AND THIS 2008 COMPARED TO MY 2000 IS A PIECE OF JUNK. I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING SO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 30, 2013
THROTTLE CUT OUT SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE "WRENCH" WOULD LIGHT UP. ENGINE WOULD IDLE, BUT STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL WOULD DO NOTHING. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN WOULD TEMPORARILY FIX THE ISSUE. SEARCHING THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS TO BE A MASSIVE PROBLEM WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODIES. CANNOT BELIEVE FORD HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL. DANGEROUS!
Electrical system, Aug 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY JIGGLE THE IGNITION KEY FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Electrical system, Aug 1, 2013
VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE KEY HAVING CONTACT WITH THE IGNITION. WHEN KEY IS TURNED, IT DOES NOTHING TO START THE ENGINE. KEY MUST BE PUSHED IN WHILE TURNING FOR IT TO START. PROBLEM KEPT GETTING WORSE UNTIL THE KEY WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE CYLINDER AND THE TUMBLER AND THE ENTIRE SET OF KEYS. PROBLEM SOLVED FOR ONE YEAR, THEN BEGAN AGAIN. WORKING ON SECOND REPAIR IN ABOUT A YEAR- REPLACING IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CYLINDER. THE MECHANIC AND LOCKSMITH WHO ARE WORKING ON THIS REPAIR, SAY THEY FIX ABOUT 6-7 FORD FOCUS' PER MONTH WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION AT TIMES WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY JIGGLE THE IGNITION KEY FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SECONDARY KEY FOR THE IGNITION HAD TO BE USED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,0000.
Electrical system, Structure, Aug 6, 2012
MY CAR HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THE DOORS FOR QUITE AWHILE. ITS ALWAYS BEEN ANNOYING, BUT ITS NEVER REALLY SEEMED LIKE SUCH A BIG DEAL TO ME. TODAY, HOT SUMMER DAY, I WENT SHOPPING WITH MY BOYFRIEND, HE SAID I'M GOING TO GO GET YOUR CAR I WILL BE BACK, AS 30 MINUTES PASS HE IS FINALLY BACK TO TELL ME THAT MY DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE KEY WOULD NOT UNLUCK THE DOOR. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BACK DOORS JUST BEING STUCK ON LOCK FOR DAYS AT A TIME BUT IT ALWAYS EVENTUALLY FIXES ITSELF, WHICH IS WHY I HAVE NEVER REPORTED IT BEFORE. BUT TODAY I HAD TO PAY 30 DOLLARS FOR A LOCKSMITH TO COME OUT AND UNLOCK MY DOOR. I AM NOT VERY HAPPY BECAUSE I AM A POOR COLLEGE KID WHO COULD REALLY USE THAT MONEY ON SOMETHING ELSE. AS I RESEARCH THIS ONLINE I SEE MORE THAN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VERY SAME THING HAPPENING TO PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR THAT I HAVE. IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF FOR SOME REASON THERE WAS A KID IN THE CAR THAT WE COULD NOT GET OUT. IT INFURIATES ME THAT NO ONE WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I THINK IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT THIS PROBLEM BE INVESTIGATED AND IF NECESSARY THE CARS BE ON RECALL TO GET FIXED FOR FREE. THANK YOU. *TR
Electrical system, May 10, 2012
SAME EXPERIENCE! A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY STARTING AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 12, 2012
DRIVERS SIDE, PASSENGER DOOR CANNOT BE UNLOCK BY ANY MEANS. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE A CHILD WAS IN A SAFETY CHILD-SEAT AND COULD NOT BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE DOOR. THE UNLOCK BUTTONS ON THE DRIVERS DOOR HAD NO EFFECT, THE UNLOCK BUTTONS ON THE KEY BOB HAD NO EFFECT AND THE MANUAL LOCK/ UNLOCK BUTTON CAN NOT BE MOVE FROM THE LOCK POSITION. THE DOOR REMAINS LOCKED UNTIL REPAIRS CAN BE MADE. A QUICK WEB SEARCH SHOWS THAT THEIR IS NO SHORTAGE OF FOCUS OWNERS HAVING EXPERIENCE THIS SAME SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF THE CAR HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE CHILD HAD TO BE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED? I FEEL THAT EVEN ALLOWING VEHICLES TO BE MANUFACTURED THAT DOES NOT HAVE FOOL PROOF MANUAL LOCK RELEASES FOR EACH DOOR IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND A GROSSLY NEGLIGENT THREAT TO EVERYONE EACH TIME THEY ARE IN A VEHICLE. IS IT REALLY THAT MUCH OF A STRETCH TO IMAGINE A VEHICLE INVOLVE IN AN ACCIDENT AND LOSING ELECTRICAL POWER AND NONE OF THE DOORS COULD BE UNLOCKED? SO, MY COMPLAINT IS NOT THAT SOMETHING BROKE OR FAILED TO WORK, BUT THAT ITS FAILURE COULD UNNECESSARILY CAUSE SUCH AN EMINENT UNNECESSARY THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 22, 2012
RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCKED. CANNOT BE OPENED. CANNOT BE UNLOCKED ELECTRONICALLY NOR MANUALLY. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 30, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY STARTING AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.