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.
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/05/16*LJ UPDATED 12/06/2017*JS
Structure, Aug 7, 2016
THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN TWICE ON MY CAR, I CAN UNLOCK THE CAR BUT CANNOT OPEN THE CAR, CURRENTLY BOTH DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN ON THE CAR AND THE ONLY ACCESS INSIDE THE CAR IS THROUGH THE TRUNK, THE PART /LABOR TO FIX THE DOOR IS ABOUT $400 AND THE PART ONLY LASTS ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE IT BREAKS AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE I HAD STEPPED OUT OF MY CAR WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING TO GET MY MAIL, WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN! THERE WERE TWO EMT'S ACROSS THE STREET AND THEY CALLED THE DEPUTY SHERIFF TO HELP ME GET ACCESS TO THE CAR. THEY SAID IT WAS LUCKY THAT I HAD NOT HAD AN INFANT OR SMALL CHILD IN THE CAR. THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TO KEEP MY WINDOW ROLLED DOWN OR CRAWL THROUGH THE TRUNK UNTIL I CAN GET IT FIXED.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2016
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT SHIFTS HARD INTO GEARS AND THEN IT DOESN'T WANT TO STAY IN 4TH GEAR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT DOWN SHIFTS AND THEN WANTS TO RUN 3,000 OR HIGHER RPMS WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY.
Power train, Engine, Jul 29, 2016
2008 FORD FOCUS SE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN HARD DOWNSHIFTING AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP STATED IT NEEDED"FLASHING". LEFT IT ONE DAY PICKED IT UP SHIFTED FINE. HAD NEW BATTERY INSTALLED APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO, BAD SHIFTING STARTED AGAIN. DEALERSHIP MAINTAINS OUT OF WARRANTY. CAR NOW HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT AND BAD TRANSMISSION. ENGINE FLOGS AT SLOW SPEEDS EVER SINCE PURCHASED. NO RELIEF IN SIGHT. WARMER IT GETS OUTSIDE, WORSE TRANSMISSION BEHAVES. THESE THINGS HAPPEN ALL OVER TOWN, THE CAR IS NOT CHOOSEY!!
Electrical system, Jul 6, 2016
I HAD TO PUSH THE KEY IN REALLY HARD TO START THE CAR. WELL, AFTER DOING THAT SO MANY TIMES IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED WORKING.
Electrical system, Jun 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, May 19, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE 4 DOOR HANDLES THAT HAVE BROKEN TWICE AND HAVE 3 BROKEN DOOR HANDLES RIGHT NOW, INCLUDING THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS $400 PER DOOR. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE DOOR HANDLES AND PAY FOR THE COST OF REPAIR ON THE BROKEN DOORS I HAVE NOW. IF I HAD A MEDICAL EMERGENCY WHILE DRIVING, NO ONE COULD OPEN MY DOOR TO HELP!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 12, 2016
2008 FORD FOCUS DOES NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY OR STALLS RANDOMLY. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON BOTH CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS AND NEARLY GOT HIT MORE THAN ONCE. I HAD THE PCM REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED FORD MECHANIC IN 11/14, IT HAD A TWO YEAR WARRANTY. IN 1/16 IT BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 4/16. AFTER REPLACING THE PCM AT A FORD DEALERSHIP THE SECOND TIME MY CAR STALLED OUT ON ME THE NEXT DAY. THE PCM CODE WAS THE SAME AT EACH LOCATION (CODE P00607). BOTH PCM'S WERE PURCHASED FROM FORD BRAND NEW. I AM NOW BEING TOLD BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THE FOLLOWING CODE (P0320) WAS OBTAINED. THEY INDICATED THE FOLLOWING WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE AMOUNT OF $575.00: THE COST OF THE REPAIRS INCLUDE: TUNE UP IS $260.00 THIS INCLUDES SPARK PLUGS ,SPARK PLUG BOOTS, AND 2 IGNITION COILS AND THE LABOR TO INSTALL THEM. THE COST TO REPLACED THE VALVE COVER GASKET THAT IS LEAKING OIL INTO THE SPARK PLUG VALLEYS IS $315.00 THIS INCLUDES THE PARTS AND LABOR. (SPARK PLUG VALLEYS #3 AND #4 HAVE OIL IN THEM.) MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS WAS NEVER A PCM ISSUE; HOWEVER, IT IS SOMETHING ELSE FEEDING MISINFORMATION TO THE PCM TO SEND INACCURATE CODES TO THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. THE PROBABILITY OF THREE PCM'S BEING FAULTY IN 1 YEAR IS NOT LIKELY. THIS VEHICLE HAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND IS A RISK TO OTHERS AND MYSELF ON THE ROADS. I HAVE GRAVE CONCERNS REGARDING THE RELIABILITY AND SAFETY OF THE 2008 FORD FOCUS SE. FORD NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE AND CORRECT THIS SAFETY ISSUE.
Electrical system, Mar 29, 2016
I HAVE TO PUSH THE KEY IN REALLY HARD BEFORE THE ENGINE WILL TURN OVER...I JUST HOPE IT DONT LEAVE ME STRANDED ONE DAY....
Electrical system, Mar 25, 2016
YES LATELY OVER THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS I'LL PUT MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND GO TO START MY CAR NOTHING HAPPENS AT ALL NO CLICK NO NOISE NO LIGHTS COME ON. SO I WILL THEN PROCEED TO TURN THE CAR KEY BACK TO THE STARTING POSITION THEN TRY TO START MY CAR AGAIN AND YES NOTHING HAPPENS AGAIN NOT A PEEP. SO THEN I HAVE TO PROCEED TO TURN MY KEY BACK PULL MY KEY OUT STICK MY KEY BACK INTO THE IGNITION KIND THEN AS THE TWO TIMES PREVIOUSLY TURN TO START MY CAR AND IT ACTUALLY STARTS EXCEPT IT TAKES LIKE 2 SECOND HESITATION BEFORE IT ACTUALLY TURNS OVER MY IGNITION IS NEVER BEEN TAMPERED WITH MY CAR ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT SO I'M KIND OF CURIOUS AS TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING BECAUSE I SEE SOMEBODY ELSE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM
Other or unspecified, Mar 23, 2016
THE KEY HAS TO BE PUSHED IN EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN ON THE ENGINE. IT TAKES SOMETIMES UP TO 5 MINUTES REPEATEDLY TURNING THE KEY FOR IT TO ENGAGE.
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.
Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2015
2008 FORD FOCUS - 2 DR DRIVER DOOR ONLY KEYED ENTRY POINT... LOCKED CAR CAME BACK ...DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN WITH KEY .CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AFTER THE 1ST TIME JUST LEFT UNLOCKED. TOOK CAR FOR OIL CHANGE FORGOT TO TELL THEM DON'T LOCK AND OF COURSE THEY LOCKED WHEN DONE.HAD TO CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TO GET IT UNLOCKED. THIS IS REALLY UNSAFE IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS.
Structure, Dec 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS RUSTING AT THE BOTTOM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Steering, Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Oct 9, 2015
THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLES SUSPENSION SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE I HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES ON IT 4X THE REAR SUSPENSION CUPS THE TIRES AND MAKES IT BOUNCE I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ALIGNMENTS AND I BOUGHT IT A 52.000 MILES N FOR THE LAST 4 YRS I HAVE BOUGHT MANY TYPES OF TIRES AND THIS CAR HAS RUINED THEM ALL, ALSO STRUT REPLACEMENT AND TIE RODS AND I JUST GOT A NEW RACKON PINION FOR THE STEERING WAS AFFECTED AND THE FLUID LEAKED OUT AND I HIGHWAY DRIVE, IT WOULD NOT PERFORM OVER 65MPH WITHOUT SHAKING TERRIBLY I SEE MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR AND THIS SUPENSION PROBLEM AND STEERING AND IDOL JERKS ME FORWARD AND FEELS LIKE ITS GOING TO STAHL, THE MOTER MOUNTS AN TRANI MOUNTS ARE ALWAYS LOOSE OR NEED TO BE REPLACED, AN THE AC WENT ON IT AN BECAUSE IT'S BEHIND THE DASHBOARD THE HOUSING UNIT FOR THE EVAPORATOR IT COST 1000 TO REPLACE BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO GET TOO, THE INTERMITTEN FAN DOES NOT COME ON AT ALL IT NEVER CYCLES SO IT SMELLS LIKE BURNT ENGINE COMING IN THRU THE VENTS THAT MAKES ME SICK, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE AFTER I TOOK IT BACK AFTER 2MONS THEY WANTED TO KEEP IT AND RE-DO THE WHOLE ENGINE AND TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT , THATS WHEN I SHOULD OF REPORTED IT AS A LEMON, IS FORD GOING TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE HAS A MAJOR BLOW-OUT AN FLIP THE CAR AN DIE THIS SHOULD BE A AUTOMATIC RECALL FOR SAFETY THIS CAR IS SO UNSAFE, THE FRAME IS ALL WRONG AND THE REAR IS NOT ALIGNED FROM THE FACTORY THIS IS AN IN HOUSE PROBLEM .
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2015
THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS BEGAN TO SEIZE UP OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT A YEAR. NOW ONLY ONE DOOR WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK USING THE ELECTRONIC LOCKING SYSTEM. THE DOORS CAN BE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED MANUALLY BY PULLING AND PUSHING ON THE PLASTIC MANUAL DOOR LOCKS.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 12, 2015
CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND I COULD NOT GET IT STARTED. STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION TO GET THE CAR STARTED. HAVE TO KEEP THE KEY PUSHED IN, STRAIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET IT STARTED AND SOMETIMES WOULD TAKE 10 TIMES. NOT A GOOD THING IN TRAFFIC. TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A MISSING SCREW IN AN ENCLOSED CRIMPED AREA OF THE HOUSING FOR THE IGNITION WHICH I WAS THEN TOLD THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE EXCEPT FOR AN ASSEMBLY ERROR. WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO WAY IT COULD HAVE FALLEN OUT. WE HAVE A STICK SHIFT SO IT IS VERY EASY TO STALL IT WHILE IN TRAFFIC IF NOT PAYING ATTENTION. WE ALMOST GOT HIT BECAUSE WE COULD NOT GET IT STARTED. THIS PROBLEM STARTING IT HAS GONE ON FOR SOME TIME, BUT IT HAD CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. WAS TOLD THIS ONE SCREW HOLDS THE HOUSING IN PLACE SO THE KEY WORKS PROPERLY.
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
Power train, May 14, 2015
TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SPUTTER ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS THE 4TH OR 5TH TIME THE CAR HAD THIS PROBLEM. AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY CAR STRUGGLED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE CAR WOULD FREE REV AND KICK/SHAKE INTO GEAR.
Suspension, Wheels, Apr 27, 2015
THE CAR SUSPENSION IS EASILY UNALIGNED AND CAUSES THE CAR TO GO THROUGH TIRES AT AN ALARMINGLY ABOVE AVERAGE RATE. 30,000+ MILE TIRES DO NOT MAKE IT 20,000 WITHOUT SEVERE DAMAGE AND WEAR. AFTER OWNING THE CAR AND TAKING IT TO MANY DIFFERENT SHOPS THE RESULTS ARE ALWAYS THE SAME THAT MY CARS SUSPENSION IS NOT CORRECT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 5 SETS OF SWAY BAR LINKS AND AT LEAST 8+ SETS OF TIRES IN THE 100,000 MILES I HAVE DROVE THE CAR. I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR 90% OF MY PURCHASES FOR REPAIRS, PARTS, AND SERVICE THAT ALL RELATE BACK TO THE CARS SUSPENSION NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND WEARING ABNORMALLY. *TR