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.
Power train, Feb 18, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO THE PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD AS IF IT WAS NOT IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE CONTACT NOTICED PREVIOUSLY THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING WHENEVER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 29000.
Power train, Jan 8, 2010
LTR TO THE POTUS RE A DEFECTIVE 2008 FORD FOCUS HE CO-SIGNED FOR HIS GRANDSON, CAR IS A LEMON AND WANTS FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY/ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 13 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. DIFFERENT PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE CONSTANTLY BEING REPLACED. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF SMELLING BURNT TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT, THE COOLER LINES AND CONTROL VALVE WERE REPLACED. EVENTUALLY, THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED. *JB
Steering, Nov 20, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHEN DRIVING OVER ICE OR SNOW THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO SHIMMY. THIS CONDITION REDUCES HIS ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. SINCE THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, A REMEDY COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8800. UPDATED 01/12/10 *BF UPDATED 01/13/10.*JB
Seat belts, Nov 5, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT SECURE THE SEAT BELT AFTER INSERTION. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEATS BELT IS MORE LIKELY TO UNLATCH FROM THE BUCKLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 21, 2009
CONCERNING A '08 FOCUS, 4 DOOR SE. CAR IS APPROXIMATELY 18MONTHS OLD AND HAS COVERED 38,000 APPROX.. REAR PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. WHEN USING POWER LOCKS, THE DOOR BUTTON WOULD FAIL TO MOVE. ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS (LUCKY) THE DOOR COULD BE OPENED. THEN THE SAME HAPPENED TO THE OTHER REAR DOOR. SO NOW BOTH REAR DOORS WERE INOPERABLE. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MONTANA FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS EXPLAINED. CAR WAS KEPT IN SHOP FOR FOUR DAYS WHILST BITS WERE ORDERED, AND PROBLEM RECTIFIED. WAS CHARGED $100 AND TOLD THIS WASN'T COVERED BY THE WARRANTY (ALTHOUGH A RENTAL CAR WAS PROVIDED FOR THIS PERIOD). IN HINDSIGHT I SHOULD HAVE CHECKED BOTH DOORS, AS LATER I FOUND OUT THAT THE OTHER DOOR HADN'T BEEN FIXED. CAR NOW HAS TO GO INTO SHOP FOR FURTHER RECTIFICATION. I REALIZE THAT IN '05 FORD RECALLED APPROX 359,000 01-02 FOCUS FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH OTHER DOOR LATCHES ON VARIOUS VEHICLES. FOR THIS TO HAPPEN ON A 08 FOCUS, WHICH HAS BEEN DRIVEN CAREFULLY BY ONE OWNER, FAIL TO SEE HOW THE FORD DEALER CAN SAY IT'S NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT? ARE THEY WORRIED THAT IT'LL COST MORE FOR A RECALL THAN ANY LAWSUITS? *TR
Tires, Sep 14, 2009
MY WIFE TOOK OUR 2008 FORD FOCUS IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION. THE DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT ROTATE THE TIRES BECAUSE THE REAR TIRES WERE BAD. THE "CORDS" IN THE REAR TIRES HAD BROKEN INSIDE THE TIRE AND NOW THEY ARE OUT OF ROUND. THEY SAID THEY ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE RECORD OF ROTATING THE WHEELS (BECAUSE I HAD DONE IT AT HOME FOR FREE). I HAVE BEEN ON MANY INTERNET TIRE WEB SITES AND THE PIRELLI TIRES ARE KNOWN FOR THIS HAPPENING ON SMALLER VEHICLES. *TR
Tires, Aug 24, 2009
ON 4/9/09 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND I NOTICED SLIGHT VIBRATION COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR PIRELLI P6 TIRE ON MY 2008 FORD FOCUS. I CHECKED THE TIRE AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY VISIBLE SIGN OF DAMAGE. ON THE WAY HOME THE VIBRATION GOT MORE SEVERE. ON ARRIVING HOME I CHECKED THE TIRE AND FOUND ONE SPOT THAT WAS COMPLETELY BALD. FROM WHEN I CHECKED THE TIRE AT WORK TO WHEN I ARRIVED AT HOME I HAD DRIVEN A TOTAL OF LESS THAN 90 MILES FOR THE TIRE TO GO COMPLETELY BALD IN THAT SPOT. BOTH PIRELLI AND 2 FORD DEALERS CLAIM THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE, THAT THE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO A IMPROPER USE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, IMPROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE, THE TIRE NOT BEING BALANCED OR FAILURE TO ROTATE THE TIRES. I HAD THE TIRES REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 20, 2009
THERE IS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE WITH 08 AND NEW FORD FOCUS. THE THROTTLE BODY DEFECT, LEANS THE FUEL MIXTURE CAUSING THE CAR TO LOOSE ALL POWER, BUT IDOLS KEEPING YOUR POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. YOU THEN HAVE TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART CAR ONLY TO HAPPEN EVERY 50 MILES OR SO, DEPENDING ON A/C, SPEED, ROAD GRADES. FORD DEALER IN KINGMAN ADMITTED LOTS OF FOCUS HAVE BEEN COMING IN WITH SAME ISSUE. HOWEVER, DESPITE THE WRENCH LIGHTING COMING UP ON THE DASH THERE WAS NO CODES FOR THE DEALER TO FIX THE CAR. AFTER THE 7TH TIME OF THE POWER LOSS AND WRENCH, WE LEFT THE CAR RUNNING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO TAKE VIDEO, AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON. WHICH ALLOWED THE DEALER IN ALBUQUERQUE, NM TO IMMEDIATELY REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS AS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS YOU LOOSE ALL OR 90 PERCENT POWER AND HAVE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. BASED ON THE DEALERS COMMENTS IT APPEARS A RECALL SHOULD HAPPEN ON THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Aug 10, 2009, crash
2008 FORD FOCUS AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING AFTER ACCIDENT GOING 65 MPH. *TR
Seats, Aug 8, 2009, crash
HEAD RESTRAINT FOR DRIVER'S SEAT CAME OUT OF THE SEAT DURING A REAR-END COLLISION. *TR
Suspension, Jul 15, 2009
TIRES WEAR UNEVEN ON 2008 FORD FOCUS WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY IN BAD WEATHER. SO FAR 2 SETS OF TIRES HAVE BEEN WORN OUT AND WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD I AM BEING BOUNCED ALL AROUND. THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, May 26, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED AND DESTROYED BY A HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AN OCCUPANT IN HER VEHICLE SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. BOTH THE CONTACT AND OCCUPANT WERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
Air bags, Apr 20, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONSUMERS SON LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL AND ROLLED ONCE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST IN A CREEK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACTS SON SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK AND ANKLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,000. UPDATED 6/4/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD STATING THE IMPACT WAS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH TO WARRANT AIR BAD DEPLOYMENT. UPDATED 06/02/11
Tires, Mar 5, 2009
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILED TO WARN OF LOW PRESSURE IN RIGHT REAR TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO FAIL, RESULTING IN INABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE AUTO HAS NO SPARE, ONLY AN INFLATION SYSTEM, WHICH DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. *TR
Power train, Feb 20, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY A SOLUTION. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 15,000.
Seats, Sep 25, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, REACHED UNDER THE SEAT, AND CUT HIS HAND. HE WENT TO THE DOCTOR AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE HAD SEVERED A TENDON, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO RECEIVE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STITCHES. A FEW WEEKS LATER, HE SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED NOT TO PLACE HIS HAND UNDERNEATH THE SEAT. THE CONTACT IS UNAWARE OF WHAT CUT HIS HAND AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.
Steering, Sep 20, 2008
SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2008 FORD FOCUS SES ON APRIL 30 2008 I HAVE FELT THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ALIGNMENT OR STEERING. WHEN LETTING GO OF THE WHEEL IT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WILL HEAD FOR THE DITCH. AT 300 MILES I REQUESTED A WARRANTY ALIGNMENT, DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NOT DO ONE UNTIL AT LEAST 500 OR 1,000 MILES. AT 1,200 MILES I REQUESTED THE SAME AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULDN'T DO ONE UNTIL AT LEAST 5,000 MILES, REASONING WAS THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO LOOSEN UP DUE TO BEING TIED DOWN IN SHIPPING. CALLED CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS NO MILEAGE LIMIT. INFORMED DEALER AND THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT AND DID FIND IT WAS OFF. DROVE THE CAR AND STILL FEEL SOMETHING IS OFF. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IS THE WAY THE CAR IS, I TOLD THEM IF THAT IS THE WAY THE CAR IS IT IS THE WORSE CAR I'VE DRIVEN NEEDING TO ADJUST THE WHEEL CONSTANTLY TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE IN 32 YEARS OF DRIVING. I DROVE ONE ON THE LOT THAT WAS NOT AS BAD AS MINE BUT STILL IT WOULD DRIFT ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AFTER LETTING GO OF THE WHEEL IN A VERY SHORT DISTANCE. TIRED OF FIGHTING WITH THE DEALER BUT STILL NOT LIKING THE WAY I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY ADJUST MY STEERING WHEEL TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. AT 7,800 MILES I HAD MY 7,500 MILE MAINTENANCE DONE. NOW THE CAR WILL DRIFT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY TO LEFT AND AT TIMES FEEL LIKE IT IS WOBBLING LEFT AND RIGHT. I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DIFFERENT DEALER TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND WHAT IS WRONG. IF NOT I WILL GET RID OF THE CAR BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS DANGEROUS AND WILL BE EVEN MORE SO WHEN THE SNOW STARTS TO FLY. *TR
Air bags, Jun 27, 2008, crash
I WAS MERGING INTO THE CENTER LANE WHEN A CAR FROM THE RIGHT SIDE WAS DRIVING IN MY LINE. I MOVE BACK IN MY LANE AND THE CAR STARTED FISH TALING AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL. I HIT THE GUARD RAIL TWICE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY MY SPEED WAS 55-60 MPH. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BECAUSE THE WALL OF THE FIREWALL AND ENGINE WAS DAMAGED. THIS WAS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. HELP!
Tires, Equipment, Jun 4, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE, JACK, AND/OR LUG WRENCH AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLES DO NOT COME WITH SPARE TIRES, JACKS OR LUG WRENCHES. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE A JACK, SPARE TIRE, AND WRENCH, BUT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT DESIGN A SPARE TIRE OR JACK FOR THE TWO DOOR FORD FOCUS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ UPDATED
Visibility, May 31, 2008
REAR AUTOMATIC WINDOW WILL NOT OPERATE. *TR
Visibility, Apr 3, 2008
FAULTY WINDSHIELD ON 2008 FORD FOCUS SES 4DR SEDAN BLURRY AT BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD SERVICE MGR SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE TILL FORD RECALLS CONDENSATION INSIDE THE WINDSHIELD TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT THEY REPLACED WINDSHIELD WATER LEAKING IN ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES NOT SEALED CORRECTLY. *TR
Visibility, Mar 19, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED, THE WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE MOTOR WAS STILL MAKING NOISE, BUT NO MOVEMENT OCCURRED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE WIPERS, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Power train, Feb 23, 2008
THE TRANSMISSIONS SHIFT POINTS ARE NOT CALIBRATED CORRECTLY. THE SHIFT POINTS ARE OFF. STARTING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLES FIRST SHIFT IS 3000RPM. WHILE UNDER NORMAL ACCELERATION FROM THAT POINT THE RPM'S CAN GO AS HIGH AS 3500 BEFORE THE SECOND SHIFT. ONCE IN SECOND GEAR, DEPENDING ON THE ENGINE LOAD THE RPM'S CAN GO AS HIGH AS 4000. AS I MENTIONED,ENGINE LOAD. ON A SLIGHT DOWNGRADE THE TRANS SHIFTS NORMAL WITH LOWER RPM AT ALL SHIFT POINTS. ON A SLIGHT UPGRADE SHIFT POINTS ARE HIGHER. DRIVE DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A STEADY SPEED. THE FIRST SHIFT SEEMS OK. IN SECOND GEAR THE RPM'S WILL STAY AT 2500 TO 3000. THE TRANSMISSION DOES NO SHIFT UNTIL YOU LET OF THE GAS PEDAL A LITTLE. ONCE IN THIRD GEAR THE OD DOES NOT KICK IN UNTIL SPEEDS ABOVE 60MPH. I HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THEY CHECKED FOR CODES AND THERE WERE NONE. THE SHOP FOREMAN DROVE THE VEHICLE THEN REQUESTED WE DRIVE ANOTHER TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WAS PRESENT. WE DROVE ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT SEEMED TO PERFORM THE SAME. I MENTIONED TO HIM, IF THIS IS A NORMAL OPERATION MAYBE THE COMPUTERS PROGRAM IS WRONG. MAYBE THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REFLASHED. HE CLAIMED FORD WOULD NOT PUT OUT A PRODUCT LIKE THAT. EXAMPLE: WE HAD SNOW A COUPLE OF DAY AGO AND YOU NATURALLY HAD TO WATCH YOUR SPEED. I DROVE AROUND AT 30MPH WITH THE RPM'S AT 3,000. *TR
Steering, Feb 4, 2008, crash
WENT OFF ROAD IN GRASS TO AVOID A HEAD ON CRASH WHEN MERGING BACK ON TO ASPHALT TIE ROD SEPARATED FROM RACK AND PINION CAUSING CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL CRASHING IN TO A TELEPHONE POLE. *TR
Seat belts, Dec 4, 2007
2008 FORD FOCUS WITH SEAT BELT SAFETY DEFECT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SHOULDER STRAP AND LAP BELT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED FOR HEIGHT ON THE TWO DOOR MODEL. CONSUMER BELIEVES THESE WOULD BE UNSAFE IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. *KB