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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

What owners actually said

250 reports
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

45,000 miles · May 10, 2012
Electrical System

SAME EXPERIENCE! A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CON…

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SAME EXPERIENCE! A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY STARTING AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457968

28,000 miles · Apr 20, 2012
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO EMIT LOUD NOISES WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT STABILIZERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO EMIT LOUD NOISES WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT STABILIZERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

NHTSA ODI #10455837

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2012
Structure

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 DOOR HANDLES DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THEM BREAKING. I TALKED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND HE SAYS HE HAS REPLACED OVER 10 OTHER 2007/08/09 FOCUS EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. NONE HOWEVER WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND OF COURSE BOTH OF MY BROKE AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE COST WAS 142.00/PER THIS IS A HUG…

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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 DOOR HANDLES DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THEM BREAKING. I TALKED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND HE SAYS HE HAS REPLACED OVER 10 OTHER 2007/08/09 FOCUS EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. NONE HOWEVER WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND OF COURSE BOTH OF MY BROKE AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE COST WAS 142.00/PER THIS IS A HUGE DESIGN FLAW AS WELL AS COSTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450493

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2012
Electrical System

DRIVERS SIDE, PASSENGER DOOR CANNOT BE UNLOCK BY ANY MEANS. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE A CHILD WAS IN A SAFETY CHILD-SEAT AND COULD NOT BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE DOOR. THE UNLOCK BUTTONS ON THE DRIVERS DOOR HAD NO EFFECT, THE UNLOCK BUTTONS ON THE KEY BOB HAD NO EFFECT AND THE MANUAL LOCK/ UNLOCK BUTTON CAN NOT BE MOVE FROM THE LOC…

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DRIVERS SIDE, PASSENGER DOOR CANNOT BE UNLOCK BY ANY MEANS. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE A CHILD WAS IN A SAFETY CHILD-SEAT AND COULD NOT BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE DOOR. THE UNLOCK BUTTONS ON THE DRIVERS DOOR HAD NO EFFECT, THE UNLOCK BUTTONS ON THE KEY BOB HAD NO EFFECT AND THE MANUAL LOCK/ UNLOCK BUTTON CAN NOT BE MOVE FROM THE LOCK POSITION. THE DOOR REMAINS LOCKED UNTIL REPAIRS CAN BE MADE. A QUICK WEB SEARCH SHOWS THAT THEIR IS NO SHORTAGE OF FOCUS OWNERS HAVING EXPERIENCE THIS SAME SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF THE CAR HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE CHILD HAD TO BE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED? I FEEL THAT EVEN ALLOWING VEHICLES TO BE MANUFACTURED THAT DOES NOT HAVE FOOL PROOF MANUAL LOCK RELEASES FOR EACH DOOR IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND A GROSSLY NEGLIGENT THREAT TO EVERYONE EACH TIME THEY ARE IN A VEHICLE. IS IT REALLY THAT MUCH OF A STRETCH TO IMAGINE A VEHICLE INVOLVE IN AN ACCIDENT AND LOSING ELECTRICAL POWER AND NONE OF THE DOORS COULD BE UNLOCKED? SO, MY COMPLAINT IS NOT THAT SOMETHING BROKE OR FAILED TO WORK, BUT THAT ITS FAILURE COULD UNNECESSARILY CAUSE SUCH AN EMINENT UNNECESSARY THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447685

96,000 miles · Jan 24, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED AND THE REAR DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED AND THE REAR DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPLACE ANY OF THE DOOR LATCHES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #10445120

74,100 miles · Jan 22, 2012
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesStructure

RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCKED. CANNOT BE OPENED. CANNOT BE UNLOCKED ELECTRONICALLY NOR MANUALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444790

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2012
SuspensionVisibilityWheels

FORD DEALER HAD FIXED FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WILL NOT FIX REAR WHEEL BEARINGS UNDER WARRANTY. CAR MAKES A ROARING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. I THINK THE REAR PARTS ON THE CAR HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $490 TO FIX. ALSO I PAID $25 FROM THE FORD DEALER FOR WIPERS THAT KEEP SCRAPING THE WI…

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FORD DEALER HAD FIXED FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WILL NOT FIX REAR WHEEL BEARINGS UNDER WARRANTY. CAR MAKES A ROARING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. I THINK THE REAR PARTS ON THE CAR HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $490 TO FIX. ALSO I PAID $25 FROM THE FORD DEALER FOR WIPERS THAT KEEP SCRAPING THE WINDSHIELD AND GIVE ME POOR VISIBILITY. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10444596

50,000 miles · Dec 30, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY STARTING AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10441718

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2011
Electrical SystemStructure

THE BACK DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DOOR IS UNLOCKED BUT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10441690

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