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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.

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

14 reports
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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

61,000 miles · Jan 7, 2019
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

MY FORD FOCUS ONLY HAS 61,000 MILES AND TRANSMISSION IS JUMPING HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING AND GOING IN REVERSE SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING BURNING. FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES I WILL BE CALLING FORD THIS IS RIDICULOUS I HAVE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF CANCER AND IN THE HOSPITAL AND DONT HAVE A INCOM…

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MY FORD FOCUS ONLY HAS 61,000 MILES AND TRANSMISSION IS JUMPING HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING AND GOING IN REVERSE SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING BURNING. FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES I WILL BE CALLING FORD THIS IS RIDICULOUS I HAVE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF CANCER AND IN THE HOSPITAL AND DONT HAVE A INCOME AND NOW I DONT NO WHAT I SHOULD DO FORD NEEDS TO FIX IT

NHTSA ODI #11164974

60,000 miles · Oct 9, 2015
SteeringSuspensionVehicle Speed Control

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, ALS…

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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 .

NHTSA ODI #10781183

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…

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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

70,000 miles · Feb 2, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

THE CAR HESITATES AND STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP (ESPECIALLY ON A HILL). SOMETIMES THE "WRENCH" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INDICATING (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MALFUNCTION). WHEN THE WRENCH" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON IT DOES NOT STORE A CODE. WHEN IT STALLS IT ALWAYS WILL START BACK UP AND DRIVE FINE (UNLESS I AM ON A HILL) …

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THE CAR HESITATES AND STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP (ESPECIALLY ON A HILL). SOMETIMES THE "WRENCH" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INDICATING (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MALFUNCTION). WHEN THE WRENCH" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON IT DOES NOT STORE A CODE. WHEN IT STALLS IT ALWAYS WILL START BACK UP AND DRIVE FINE (UNLESS I AM ON A HILL) THIS HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN MOVING AND ACCELERATING. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP HOME MODE" THERE WAS A LINE OF CARS BEHIND ME AND NO PLACE TO PULL OVER. I WAS MOVING ABOUT 10 MPH. WHEN I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND DROVE HOME WITH NO PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. THE CAR RUNS PERFECT IN ALL OTHER INSTANCES. I AM SURE THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL PROBLEM. FORD HAS ADMITTED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE ON OTHER MODELS OF FORD CARS MY 2008 FORD FOCUS HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680693

79,800 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10595576

74,000 miles · Dec 27, 2013
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10557440

41,000 miles · Nov 20, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

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 COM…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10553132

100,000 miles · Aug 30, 2013
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

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. …

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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!

NHTSA ODI #10538172

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

2008 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS PULLING INTO HIS PARKING SPACE, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD. HE IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE, WHICH CAUSED THE OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE TO BE THROWN FORWARD. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT …

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2008 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS PULLING INTO HIS PARKING SPACE, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD. HE IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE, WHICH CAUSED THE OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE TO BE THROWN FORWARD. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WAS ONE OF THE FOUR TIMES, THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI #10502991

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