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.
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
Suspension, Jun 10, 2014
I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2008 FORD FOCUS AND MOST COMPARE TO MINE. THE SUSPENSION ON THESE VEHICLES ARE TERRIBLE. THE CAR WILL VIBRATE, RUMBLE AND RUIN TIRES. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH ONLY 6,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE DONE MULTIPLE ALIGNMENTS, ROTATIONS AND BALANCES TO TRY AND FIX THE PROBLEM WITH NO LUCK. I AM ON MY SECOND PAIR OF TIRES AND THEY ARE WEARING DOWN FAST. THERE IS ALSO A "CLUNKING" NOISE WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THAT I ASSUME IS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE AS ME, IT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT ON THE VEHICLE. IF I CONTINUE TO GET THE "RUN AROUND" FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THEM AGAIN. I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING AND CARELESSNESS FORD SHARES FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP FOR THEIR FAILURE TO CREATE A RELIABLE VEHICLE LIKE THE 2008 FORD FOCUS. *TR
Engine, Jun 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS ON ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,203 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,400.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 2, 2014
I HAVE AN 08 FORD FOCUS S THAT HAS JUST UNDER 80,000 MILES AND THE CAR IS HORRENDOUS RECENTLY IT WON'T ACCELERATE IN LOW GEAR. YOU CAN PUT THE PEDAL DOWN BUT THE ENGINE RPMS GO UP BUT WON'T ACCELERATE UNTIL YOU SLIGHTLY LET THE PEDAL GO AND IT WILL JOLT FORWARD AND ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST CASE FROM WHAT IM HEARING AND WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON FORDS TRANSMISSIONS BEING FAULTY AND OR DEFECTIVE. *TR
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
Air bags, Structure, Wheels, May 13, 2014, crash
I WAS DRIVING NW ON SR626 ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN A WHITE CAR PULLED FROM STOP SIGN STRIKING MY CAR IN THE PASS SIDE, HITTING REAR TIRE AND BODY JUST IN FRONT OF TIRE AS I WAS SWERVING LEFT TO MISS CAR. AT IMPACT MY CAR SPUN 180 DEGREES SLIDING BACKWARDS INTO A DEEP DITCH, ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD, ROLLING ONTO DRIVERS SIDE THEN BACK ONTO ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AS I WAS TOSSED AROUND INSIDE CAR HITTING MY HEAD, NECK AND LEFT SHOULDER AREA CAUSING INJURY. I DID HAVE MY LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ON AND IN THE CORRECT POSITION. *TR
Service brakes, May 2, 2014
BOUGHT THIS CAR 4 YEARS AGO WITH 18,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE 41,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ABS HYDRAULIC PUMP IS LEAKING. COST TO REPAIR IS A THOUSAND. NOT A HAPPY CAMPER. *TR
Suspension, Wheels, Apr 17, 2014
I EXPERIENCE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR ON MY FOCUS. I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES TO GET IT FIXED BUT THEY TELL ME NOTHING IS WRONG. THE CAR ALSO HANDLES HORRIBLY IN WET OR WINTERY WEATHER REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OR CONDITION OF THE TIRES. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR IN THESE CONDITIONS. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS AN ALARMINGLY COMMON COMPLAINT WITH FORD FOCUS OWNERS. BODY STYLE YEARS OF ROUGHLY 2007-2010. IT IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FOR ALL FORD FOCUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR DIES.(MYSELF INCLUDED.) *TT
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 16, 2014
THROTTLE STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS. SOMETIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES AT SLOW SPEEDS. MOST OFTEN IN WARMER WEATHER. *TT
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 8, 2014
DRIVER DOOR LATCH REINFORCEMENT. 2001-PRESENT ? MANY FAILURES THIN POT-METAL PIECE THAT OPERATES DOOR LATCH FAILS POSSIBLY HINDERING EMERGENCY WORKERS FROM ACCESSING OCCUPANT. *TR
Structure, Mar 27, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE BUT THE DOOR WAS JAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED AND INCLUDED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Visibility, Structure, Mar 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A LOUD POPPING NOISE OCCURRED AS THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED WHEN THE DEFECT OCCURRED. AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED RUSTING AND CORROSION LOCATED WHERE THE SUNROOF WAS POSITIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Power train, Feb 7, 2014
MY WIFE WAS CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY SHE GAVE GAS TO MOVE AND THE TRANSMISSION BAND BROKE ALMOST GOT HIT. THERE'S A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUSES TRANSMISSIONS AND SHOULD DEMAND A RECALL. CAR ONLY HAS 77000 MILES TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BREAK WHEN GIVEN GAS. NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Wheels, Jan 25, 2014
I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER AT LOVING LINCOLN MERCURY IN LUFKIN TEXAS. WHILE TEST DRIVING THE CAR I NOTICED 1) THAT THE BRAKES WERE MAKING A LIGHT GRINDING NOISE WHILE COMING TO A STOP. 2) THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. THE SALESMAN ASSURED ME THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. WHEN WE PICKED IT UP THEY SAID THEY LOOKED AT ALL THE BRAKES AND THEY WERE OK. ALSO, THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON, SO I WENT AHEAD AND BOUGHT THE CAR. NOW, JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER TAKING POSSESSION OF THE CAR THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. THE TIRES WERE MADE IN CHINA. THE BRAND NAME OF THE TIRES IS "GOODRIDE". I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THE CHINESE VALVE STEMS WERE RECALLED DURING CERTAIN YEARS. I WILL HAVE THE DEALER ALERTED AND GET A TIRE STORE TO CHECK THE TIRES AND VALVE STEMS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 27, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE FACE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 02/11/14*LJ
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 9, 2013
THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR LATCH FAILED RESULTING IN THE DOOR NOT REMAINING CLOSED. THE DOOR HAD TO BE HELD SHUT WITH A BELT SO THAT IT COULD BE SAFELY DRIVEN. THANK GOD THAT NO ONE WAS IN THE BACK SEAT AS THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN HURT IF THE DOOR FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THE AMATO FORD DEALER DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST (FOR WHAT WE ARE NOT SURE AS IT IS A MANUAL DOOR NO ELECTRONIC LOCKS OR WINDOWS) THAT COST 113 DOLLARS AND THEN TOLD US IT WOULD COST 385 DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD SHOULD FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER BUT NEVER AGAIN WILL I PURCHASE A FORD VEHICLE IF THEY CARE THIS LITTLE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Nov 20, 2013
I HAVE A FORD FOCUS 2008 AND MILEAGE OF 41,000 I DROVE THE CAR TO WORK THE CAR ABRUPTLY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR IS BRAND NEW WHEN I PURCHASED AND NEVER USE MUCH. I WENT TO FORD SERVICE CENTER AND CHECK IT OUT AND SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS THROTTLE BODY AND RESET. WHY SERVICE AREA OF THIS FORD COMPANY CHARGING ME IN THE AMOUNT OF $730.00 DOLLARS. THIS CAR IS A RECALL AND VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE TO GOING TO WORK, PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SAFETY HERE. FORD COMPANY PAY ATTENTION MY ISSUES. AT LEAST TO FIX THE ISSUES THROTTLE BODY FOR FREE FOR ANY FORD COMPANY SERVICES. *TR
Structure, Oct 5, 2013
THIS DATE MARKS FIVE TIMES THAT DOOR LATCHES / LOCKS HAVE QUIT WORKING. CURRENTLY THE LOCKS WILL NOT WORK AND THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE PROBLEM FOUR TIMES UNDER WARRANTY. NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THE RECURRING PROBLEM. THEIR REPRESENTATIVE STATED THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM FROM RURAL ROAD DUST CAUSING LATCH / LOCK FAILURE, THAT MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT HELP COVER ANOTHER LATCH REPLACEMENT. *TR
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
Tires, Sep 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS EQUIPPED WITH A SET OF UNIROYAL TIGERPAW TIRES, SIZE 205/50/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 17, 2013
FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING NEARLY EMPTY AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WAS ON. I PLACED 3.6 GALLONS OF FUEL INTO THE TANK, AND THE GAUGE SHOWED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL WAS A SLIGHT BIT UNDER 1/2 TANK. VEHICLE HAS A 12 GALLON GAS TANK; FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING AN INACCURATE LEVEL. *TR
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