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2008 Ford FocusProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 250 owner complaints about the 2008 Ford Focus, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2008 Ford Focus
75
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years67% below the Focus median · #16 of 19 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints25039 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage83kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 9, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Ford Focus has problems

250 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system570
Structure411
Air bags2617
Latches/locks/linkages250
Power train230
Suspension230
Tires180
Wheels141
Engine140
12 other systems716

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2008 Ford Focus recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 07V-541 · Nov 21, 2007 · 45 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER AIR BAG FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING AND REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

83kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 45 electrical system complaints. 58% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
4under 30k miles26under 100k miles19100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other Focus year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Focus median. How we score

'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2008 Ford Focus safety ratings

2008 Ford Focus 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2008 Ford Focus frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2008 Ford Focus side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2008 Ford Focus, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TIRE VALVE CRACKINGPE08060 · closed Apr 9, 2009
    No recall
In owners' words

What Focus owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

Ignition cylinder fails, leaving drivers stranded. Ford Focus online forums are plastered with numerous complaints about the focus ignition lock cylinder failure, and there are youtube videos showing how to repair it with tape or rigging a bypass push button ignition switch, but FORD should be…
Complaint 11490319 · Oct 21, 2022
MY IGNITION SWITCH IS GETTING STUCK AND IT IS NOT ALLOWING ME TO TURN ON THE CAR. IT IS HARD TO TURN ON MY VEHICLE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS MARKING ON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, IT ISN'T ALLOWING MY VEHICLES MOTOR TO VENT OUT.
Complaint 11389930 · Jan 25, 2021 · 265,767 miles
CONSTITUENT WRITES IN REGARDS TO SWITCH ASY IGNITION FAILURE ON 2008 FORD FOCUS. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS FOR THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY. *JS
Complaint 11323710 · May 6, 2020

Own a 2008 Focus?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.