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2008 Ford Focus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Ford Focus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 864.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

199 reports with mileage · 51 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports0 fire reports18 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

26 reports
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80,000 miles · Mar 25, 2017
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING A FORD FOCUS 2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH IN TRAFFIC AND DROVE DIRECTLY INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT BREAKING. THE OTHER VEHICLE, A LEXUS SEDAN WAS STOPPED. THE FORD FOCUS WAS UP TO DATE ON ALL SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND AIRBAGS WERE SET ON. IN SPITE OF THIS, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I SUSTAINED A HEAD …

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I WAS DRIVING A FORD FOCUS 2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH IN TRAFFIC AND DROVE DIRECTLY INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT BREAKING. THE OTHER VEHICLE, A LEXUS SEDAN WAS STOPPED. THE FORD FOCUS WAS UP TO DATE ON ALL SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND AIRBAGS WERE SET ON. IN SPITE OF THIS, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY FROM THE COLLISION.

NHTSA ODI #10968458

120,000 miles · Dec 21, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR ENDED A TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT TO THE RIGHT OF ME ON THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER AND I LOOKED TO MY RIGHT AS I SAW A GUY GET OUT OF HIS CAR. I SWERVED AND LOOKED FORWARD. IT WAS AT THAT TIME THAT I SAW A TRUCK COMPLETELY STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE …

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I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR ENDED A TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT TO THE RIGHT OF ME ON THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER AND I LOOKED TO MY RIGHT AS I SAW A GUY GET OUT OF HIS CAR. I SWERVED AND LOOKED FORWARD. IT WAS AT THAT TIME THAT I SAW A TRUCK COMPLETELY STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE TRUCK AND DID COMPLETE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THERE WAS EXTREME DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AND MY DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD NO PASSENGERS IN THE CAR, NO OTHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY STATE POLICE TROOPER WHO WAS ON THE SCENE SAID TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE MY AIRBAGS MOST DEFINITELY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED SOME INJURIES AND I AM LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER FURTHER. I JUST HOPE IN THE MEAN TIME THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE AS IT COULD BE FATAL FOR THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667541

97,000 miles · Nov 20, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY CAR SPUN AND HIT A GUARD RAIL ON THE BACK BUMPER. THIS THEN PUSHED THE CAR ACROSS THE ROAD WHERE THE FRONT END HIT THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR DURING THE IMPACT AND WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. MY FRONT AIR BAG AND MY SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY…

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MY CAR SPUN AND HIT A GUARD RAIL ON THE BACK BUMPER. THIS THEN PUSHED THE CAR ACROSS THE ROAD WHERE THE FRONT END HIT THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR DURING THE IMPACT AND WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. MY FRONT AIR BAG AND MY SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659895

57,475 miles · Nov 15, 2014
Air BagsCrash

2008 FORD FOCUS AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED IN CAR CRASH, CAR FLIPPED ONE AND A HALF TIMES AFTER SPINNING OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10655212

150,000 miles · Nov 5, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN MY 2008 FORD FOCUS. IT WAS A VERY HIGH SPEED IMPACT (EST. 60-70 MPH) THAT THREW ME INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC RECORD THE COMPUTER AND LOOK AT THE DAMAGES. HE STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLO…

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I WAS REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN MY 2008 FORD FOCUS. IT WAS A VERY HIGH SPEED IMPACT (EST. 60-70 MPH) THAT THREW ME INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC RECORD THE COMPUTER AND LOOK AT THE DAMAGES. HE STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED FROM THE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT SENSOR AS WELL AS THE SIDE IMPACT SENSOR. I AM STILL DEALING WITH MY INJURIES A YEAR AND A HALF LATER. TWO VERTEBRAE IN MY BACK WERE CRUSHED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652692

60,000 miles · May 13, 2014
Air BagsStructureWheelsCrashInjury

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 O…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10588150

48,000 miles · Dec 5, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING AND BACK PAIN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING AND BACK PAIN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 1/23/13 *CN UPDATED 02/11/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10487434

26,000 miles · May 15, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT CONSTANTLY REMAINED ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED VARIOUS UNKNOWN PARTS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WERE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED, BUT THE PARTS FOR THOSE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT CONSTANTLY REMAINED ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED VARIOUS UNKNOWN PARTS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WERE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED, BUT THE PARTS FOR THOSE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE NEEDED PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10458575

34,000 miles · Nov 22, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS TRAVELING ON INDUSTRIAL BLVD WHEN AN ELDERLY COUPLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. WITH NO TIME TO REACT I HIT THE FRONT END OF THEIR CAR WITH THE FRONT AND SIDE OF MY CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT. AFTER MY HEAD HIT OFF THE WINDSHIELD MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I HAVE A SEVERE CONCUSSION AND SOME INJURY TO…

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I WAS TRAVELING ON INDUSTRIAL BLVD WHEN AN ELDERLY COUPLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. WITH NO TIME TO REACT I HIT THE FRONT END OF THEIR CAR WITH THE FRONT AND SIDE OF MY CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT. AFTER MY HEAD HIT OFF THE WINDSHIELD MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I HAVE A SEVERE CONCUSSION AND SOME INJURY TO MY RIGHT LEG. THE MAIN POINT TO THIS ACCIDENT IS THAT I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT AND MY HEAD STILL STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. AND ONCE AGAIN THE AIRBAG WAS DELAYED ON DEPLOYMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436704

26,899 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE, WHERE THE AIR BAG FUSE WAS REPLACED. RECENTLY, THE FAILURE OCCURRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE, WHERE THE AIR BAG FUSE WAS REPLACED. RECENTLY, THE FAILURE OCCURRED A THE THIRD TIME; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,899.

NHTSA ODI #10413979

Official recalls

1

07V541000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Nov 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER AIR BAG FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING AND REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking

Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve

ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO