← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Engine complaints

14 reports
Clear category filter
265,767 miles · Jan 25, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

MY IGNITION SWITCH IS GETTING STUCK AND IT IS NOT ALLOWING ME TO TURN ON THE CAR. IT IS HARD TO TURN ON MY VEHICLE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS MARKING ON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, IT ISN'T ALLOWING MY VEHICLES MOTOR TO VENT OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11389930

256,756 miles · Jan 25, 2021
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

THE GAS PEDAL GOES WITH GAS AND DECELERATES ON ITS OWN. BRAKE BOOSTER DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE MOTOR SHAKES AND LOOSES HORSEPOWER.

NHTSA ODI #11389917

50,000 miles · Aug 14, 2018
EngineStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. IN THE PROCESS, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND DEEMED …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. IN THE PROCESS, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 15332352. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO SPOKE WITH AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRING THE SUBFRAME. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11119906

66,000 miles · Sep 20, 2017
EngineSeat BeltsUnknown Or Other

I HAVE AN 2008 FORD FOCUS SE I BOUGHT IN 2016 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER SEAT BELT NOT LOCKING IN PLACE, DOORS NOT LOCKING/UNLOCKING PASSENGER SIDE, AND THE BIGGEST PROBLEM I HAVE EXPERIENCED TWICE IS THE ENGINE REVVENING UP AND MAKING STRANGE NOISES LIKE IT IS GOING TO BLOW UP THE CAR DOES NOT INCREASE WITH SPEED BUT …

Read full complaint

I HAVE AN 2008 FORD FOCUS SE I BOUGHT IN 2016 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER SEAT BELT NOT LOCKING IN PLACE, DOORS NOT LOCKING/UNLOCKING PASSENGER SIDE, AND THE BIGGEST PROBLEM I HAVE EXPERIENCED TWICE IS THE ENGINE REVVENING UP AND MAKING STRANGE NOISES LIKE IT IS GOING TO BLOW UP THE CAR DOES NOT INCREASE WITH SPEED BUT ENGINE REVS AND WHEN BRAKING THE REV WILL SPEED UP THEN DECREASE TO BREAK. PLEASE RECALL BEFORE I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11024677

83,000 miles · Dec 21, 2016
EnginePower Train

THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS AT 83,000 MILES, AT THE TIME THE ISSUES BEGAN. WHEN THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE 1-2 GEARS STARTED SLIPPING, CHECK ENGINE AND WRENCH LIGHT APPEARED. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, DIAGNOSTICS TEST STATED THAT IT WAS A "SHIFT SOLENOID D CLOSED" HAD MY MECHANIC REPLACE IT, I…

Read full complaint

THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS AT 83,000 MILES, AT THE TIME THE ISSUES BEGAN. WHEN THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE 1-2 GEARS STARTED SLIPPING, CHECK ENGINE AND WRENCH LIGHT APPEARED. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, DIAGNOSTICS TEST STATED THAT IT WAS A "SHIFT SOLENOID D CLOSED" HAD MY MECHANIC REPLACE IT, IT STILL DID NOT WORK. I SPENT 400 BUCKS TO REPLACE THE D SOLENOID, AND THE CAR IS STILL IN THE SAME CONDITION! I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE ONLINE, WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL?! HAD I KNOWN THE 2008 FORD FOCUS SUCKED THIS BAD, I NEVER WOULD HAVE BOUGHT IT!

NHTSA ODI #10936773

200,000 miles · Dec 14, 2016
Engine

THE SPARK PLUGS KEEP BLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD. SO FAR, 3 OUT OF 4 HAVE COME OUT. SOME MORE THAN ONCE AFTER REPAIRING WITH A HELICOIL.

NHTSA ODI #10935355

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2016
EnginePower Train

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 …

Read full complaint

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!!

NHTSA ODI #10891514

108,000 miles · May 12, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

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 …

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10864695

122,056 miles · Jul 9, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

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 WHI…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10733066

99,794 miles · Mar 19, 2015
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE DOES NOT EXCEED 50 MPH. THE CAR WOULD STALL AND JUMP UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE UP HILL. THE CAR ALSO SHAKES CONTINUOUSLY AND ROARS LOUDLY WHEN 40-50 MPH IS REACHED. THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON WHEN DRIVING BUT THE WRENCH LIGHT ALSO GOES AWAY WHEN YOU RESTART THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANICS WHO ST…

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE DOES NOT EXCEED 50 MPH. THE CAR WOULD STALL AND JUMP UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE UP HILL. THE CAR ALSO SHAKES CONTINUOUSLY AND ROARS LOUDLY WHEN 40-50 MPH IS REACHED. THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON WHEN DRIVING BUT THE WRENCH LIGHT ALSO GOES AWAY WHEN YOU RESTART THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANICS WHO STATED THEY COULD NOT SERVICE WHEN WRENCH LIGHT IS OFF. WHEN I DID TAKE IT TO THE MECHANIC WHEN THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS ON THE MECHANIC PLUGGED UP A SYSTEM AND INFORMED ME THAT IT MUST JUST BE A SENSOR. I AVOID HIGHWAYS BECAUSE THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE AFTER 40-50MPH. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE. I RELY ON MY VEHICLE AND AM DISAPPOINTED, AFRAID AND UNCERTAIN WHAT TO DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10695499

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