DOOR LATCHES CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS. WE HAVE HAD THEM REPAIRED BY DEALER TWICE NOW AND THE REAR DOOR LATCHES ARE BROKEN AGAIN NOW FOR THE THIRD TIME! THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN SINCE REAR PASSENGERS CANNOT QUICKLY OR SAFELY EXIT VEHICLE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY! *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Focus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Structure complaints
41 reportsI 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
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 RE…
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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.
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 …
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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.
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…
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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
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 REPRESE…
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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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS WERE FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
THE RIGHT REAR DOOR IS LOCKED SHUT AND CANNOT BE OPENED. THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF ANY ACCIDENT OR OCCURANCE. THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OR WITH THE KEY OR REMOTE OPERATOR. IF ANYONE IS TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE OR IF INGRESS IS NEEDED IN AN EMERGENCY, THIS DOOR IS INOPERABLE. THERE IS A MECH…
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THE RIGHT REAR DOOR IS LOCKED SHUT AND CANNOT BE OPENED. THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF ANY ACCIDENT OR OCCURANCE. THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OR WITH THE KEY OR REMOTE OPERATOR. IF ANYONE IS TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE OR IF INGRESS IS NEEDED IN AN EMERGENCY, THIS DOOR IS INOPERABLE. THERE IS A MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHICH MAKES THE DOOR UNUSABLE. *TR
THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE WE HAVE HAD SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LEAK DUE TO A FAULTY SPLASH GUARD. WE HAVE HAD IT SERVICED BY FORD SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE ISSUE HAS COME BACK AGAIN, AND WE ARE NO LONGER IN WARRANTY. I HAVE 3 COMPLAINTS THAT COME WITH THIS ISSUE, 1 I AM VERY CONCERNED…
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THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE WE HAVE HAD SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LEAK DUE TO A FAULTY SPLASH GUARD. WE HAVE HAD IT SERVICED BY FORD SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE ISSUE HAS COME BACK AGAIN, AND WE ARE NO LONGER IN WARRANTY. I HAVE 3 COMPLAINTS THAT COME WITH THIS ISSUE, 1 I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH RUSTING OUT, 2 EVEN WITH DEFROSTERS ON HIGH, IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDOWS BECAUSE OF THE MOISTURE IN THE CAR (EVEN AFTER DOING WHAT WE CAN TO SOAK UP THE MOISTURE) AND 3 I HAVE SOME CONCERNS THAT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WILL BECOME AN ISSUE IE. THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER IS ALMOST ALWAYS WET. AT THIS POINT WE ARE NOT DEALING WITH MOLD CONCERNS, BUT WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE MOLD CLEAN FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR BEFORE. I AM WRITING YOU, BECAUSE THIS IS AN ISSUE FORD KNOWS ABOUT, AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT AT SOME POINT SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT, AND I FEEL AS THOUGH FORD IS NO LONGER CONCERNING THEMSELVES WITH THIS ISSUE, AND ARE NOT CONCERNED WITH CORRECTING THEIR ISSUE. *TR
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN APRIL 2008 BY JUNE THE DOORS WERE HARD TO OPEN. AT THAT TIME I LUBRICATE THEM, THAT SEEM TO HELP FOR A SHORT TIME. THEN THE BACK DOORS WOULD NOT CLOSE OPENING AS I WAS DRIVING. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WENT TO MEREDITH FORD IN PLYMOUTH NH. I WAS TOLD IT WAS COSMETIC AND THEY DID'N WORK BECAUSE I LIVE…
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I BOUGHT MY CAR IN APRIL 2008 BY JUNE THE DOORS WERE HARD TO OPEN. AT THAT TIME I LUBRICATE THEM, THAT SEEM TO HELP FOR A SHORT TIME. THEN THE BACK DOORS WOULD NOT CLOSE OPENING AS I WAS DRIVING. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WENT TO MEREDITH FORD IN PLYMOUTH NH. I WAS TOLD IT WAS COSMETIC AND THEY DID'N WORK BECAUSE I LIVED ON A DIRT ROAD.WHICH I DID NOT. I TOLD THEM SOME ONE WAS GOING TO FALL OUT OF MY CAR I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER I BETTER HAVE GOOD INSURANCE. I STILL HAVE A ROPE HOLDING BY BACK DOORS CLOSED. AND I WAS NEVER TREATED SO BADLY BEFORE IN MY LIFE. *TR
Official recalls
107V541000 · 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
1PE08060 · 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
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