VehicleVerdict

2008 Ford Focus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2008 Ford Focus is among the quieter years of the Focus on NHTSA's books: 336 complaints (70% below the model's median year), 2 recalls, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 23 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (57), body & structure (42), and tires & wheels (35), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

336

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

25

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

23

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Focus years?

Focus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted5,152 complaints1999: 15 complaints2000: 5,152 complaints2001: 2,361 complaints2002: 1,198 complaints2003: 1,224 complaints2004: 499 complaints2005: 599 complaints2006: 270 complaints2007: 524 complaints2008: 336 complaints2009: 323 complaints2010: 409 complaints2011: 157 complaints2012: 4,967 complaints2013: 2,913 complaints2014: 3,614 complaints2015: 1,313 complaints2016: 1,560 complaints2017: 1,165 complaints2018: 1,105 complaints
Focus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Focus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Ford Focus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5717%
Body & Structure4213%
Tires & Wheels3510%
Airbags278%
Latches & Locks257%
Transmission237%
Suspension237%
Engine216%
Other196%
Speed Control144%
Brakes134%
Steering124%
Visibility & Wipers93%
Seat Belts82%
Fuel System41%
Seats31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2008 Ford Focus have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

07V541000AirbagsNovember 21, 2007 · 45 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 8, 2013

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 2, 2014 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 2, 2014 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING A FORD FOCUS 2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH IN TRAFFIC AND DROVE DIRECTLY INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT BREAKING. THE OTHER VEHICLE, A LEXUS SEDAN WAS STOPPED. THE FORD FOCUS WAS UP TO DATE ON ALL SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND AIRBAGS WERE SET ON. IN SPITE OF THIS, NO AIRBAGS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 8, 2017 · crash

“KEY LOCKS FOR FRONT DOORS AND DOOR LATCHES WON'T OPEN DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP, OF COURSE IT ISN'T COVERED. IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY LOCK YOUR DOOR WITH YOUR CHILD IN IT ON A HOT DAY, YOU CAN'T GET THEM OUT IN TIME. SHOULDN'T THE LOCKS AND LATCHES WORK FOR AT LEAST 100K MILES? HAVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · June 1, 2011

2008 Ford Focus — common questions

Is the 2008 Ford Focus reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 336 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Focus year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2008 Focus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (57 complaints), body & structure (42 complaints), tires & wheels (35 complaints).

Does the 2008 Ford Focus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Ford Focus. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Ford Focus under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Focus years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Focus years to avoid are 2000, 2012, 2014, 2013, 2001, 2016, 2015, 2017, 2018. The cleanest record among Focus years belongs to 1999.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.