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.
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.
What owners actually said
250 reportsI JUST HIT THE 100,000 MILE MARK ON MY 2008 FOCUS, I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, AFTER A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AT 20,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES, MY CAR WAS SHAKING REALLY BAD AND MAKING ALOT OF ROAD NOISE. THEN AT 84,000 MILES I HAD TO PUT ON MY 4TH SET OF TIRES. MY MILES ARE ALL HIGHWAY MILES, I ROTATE EVERY 6000 MILES, THEY AL…
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I JUST HIT THE 100,000 MILE MARK ON MY 2008 FOCUS, I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, AFTER A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AT 20,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES, MY CAR WAS SHAKING REALLY BAD AND MAKING ALOT OF ROAD NOISE. THEN AT 84,000 MILES I HAD TO PUT ON MY 4TH SET OF TIRES. MY MILES ARE ALL HIGHWAY MILES, I ROTATE EVERY 6000 MILES, THEY ALWAYS TELL ME THE ALIGNMENT IS WITHIN FACTORY SETTINGS. THEN AT 98000 MILES MY CAR STARTED DOING IT AGAIN, THEY SAID MY REAR TIRES ARE BAD, THEY BLAMED IT ON A BAD TRAILING ARM AND THEY HAD TO RESET MY CHANBER TOES IN THE REAR END, AGAIN, THEY SAID MY ALIGNMENT IS FINE. ALL OF THIS WAS DONE AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE CAR. SO NOW AT 100,000 MILES, I AM GETTING READY TO PUT ON MY 5TH SET OF TIRES. THIS IS INSANE. I'M AFRAID AT SOME POINT SOMEBODY IS GOING TO HAVE A TIRE BLOWOUT OR SOMETHING AND SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET HURT. PLEASE HELP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION AT TIMES WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY JIGGLE THE IGNITION KEY FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SECONDARY KEY FOR THE IGNITION HAD TO BE USED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION AT TIMES WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY JIGGLE THE IGNITION KEY FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SECONDARY KEY FOR THE IGNITION HAD TO BE USED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,0000.
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE REAR WHEELS MISALIGNED SINCE NEW PURCHASE. DEALERSHIP HAS NEVER OMITTED THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUES TO INSIST IT IS A TIRE ISSUE. THE MISALIGNED WHEEL CAUSES MULTIPLE FLAT SPOTTING AND EXCESSIVE WEAR ON TIRES, WHICH LEADS TO HEAVY VIBRATION AND NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE IS A CLAS…
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THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE REAR WHEELS MISALIGNED SINCE NEW PURCHASE. DEALERSHIP HAS NEVER OMITTED THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUES TO INSIST IT IS A TIRE ISSUE. THE MISALIGNED WHEEL CAUSES MULTIPLE FLAT SPOTTING AND EXCESSIVE WEAR ON TIRES, WHICH LEADS TO HEAVY VIBRATION AND NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA RESULTING FROM THIS PROBLEM. *TR
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.
ON THIRD SET OF TIRES RATED FOR 75K TO 80K BECAUSE OF MANUFACTURE DEFECT. CAR IS IN SHOP HAVING ANOTHER FRONT & REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE AFTER PURCHASING NEW TIRES AGAIN. SHOP SAYS THEY RECOMMEND INSTALLING AFTER MARKET CAMBERS THAT WILL HOPEFULLY HELP THE DEFECT IN DESIGN AT A COST TO ME FOR $510.00. I'VE GONE ON-LINE AND TH…
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ON THIRD SET OF TIRES RATED FOR 75K TO 80K BECAUSE OF MANUFACTURE DEFECT. CAR IS IN SHOP HAVING ANOTHER FRONT & REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE AFTER PURCHASING NEW TIRES AGAIN. SHOP SAYS THEY RECOMMEND INSTALLING AFTER MARKET CAMBERS THAT WILL HOPEFULLY HELP THE DEFECT IN DESIGN AT A COST TO ME FOR $510.00. I'VE GONE ON-LINE AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SAFETY ISSUE. THE TIRES WEAR OUT REGARDLESS OF THE LENGTH OF WARRANTY USUALLY WITHIN 6K TO 30K MILES. THE TIRES WEAR OUT ON THE INSIDE CAUSING CUPPING EVEN WITH REGULAR TIRE ROTATIONS EVERY 6K MILES. I SPOKE WITH FORD AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEIR IS A PROBLEM. THE ON-LINE FORUMS REGARDING THIS ISSUE OTHER FORD OWNERS HAVE STATED THEY ALSO CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. *TR
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
MANUAL DOOR LATCHES ON 4-DOOR, KEY ENTRY. USE OF KEY TO GAIN ENTRY ON BOTH FRONT DOORS BEGAN A GRADUAL FAILURE. HAD TO WORK THE KEY, APPLY PRESSURE TO THE DOORS, ETC, UNTIL BOTH LOCKS FAILED TO OPEN WITH KEY. TWICE HAD PUT CHILDREN IN THE CAR, ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED DOORS, THEN UNABLE TO OPEN DOORS WITH KEYS. FORD SAYS IT ISN'T COV…
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MANUAL DOOR LATCHES ON 4-DOOR, KEY ENTRY. USE OF KEY TO GAIN ENTRY ON BOTH FRONT DOORS BEGAN A GRADUAL FAILURE. HAD TO WORK THE KEY, APPLY PRESSURE TO THE DOORS, ETC, UNTIL BOTH LOCKS FAILED TO OPEN WITH KEY. TWICE HAD PUT CHILDREN IN THE CAR, ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED DOORS, THEN UNABLE TO OPEN DOORS WITH KEYS. FORD SAYS IT ISN'T COVERED BY WARRANTY, ALTHOUGHT THE PROBLEMS FIRST STARTED APPEARING WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS, HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE UNLOCKED. EVENTUALLY HAD AN AUTO BODY MAN DISASSMBLE THE DOORS, LUBE THE LATHES, AND THE WORK AGAIN, ALTHOUGHT THEY ARE STARTING TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AGAIN. NEW LATCHES ARE $120 TO $160 EACH IF YOU CAN FIND THEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER, SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, AS IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE THROTTLE BOD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER, SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, AS IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,300. UPDATED 1/17/13 *CN
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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