2008 Ford FOCUS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
250 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
61,640 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 199 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 52 of 250 complaints (20.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 8.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 6.0% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 4.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 3.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 52 |
| Structure:Body | 27 |
| Air Bags | 23 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 19 |
| Suspension | 19 |
| Power Train | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
| Tires | 15 |
Electrical System: 52; Structure:Body: 27; Air Bags: 23; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 19; Suspension: 19; Power Train: 18; Unknown Or Other: 18; Tires: 15
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 31 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 43 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 42 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 30 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 35 |
| 150,000 and above | 18 |
Under 25,000: 31; 25,000 to 49,999: 43; 50,000 to 74,999: 42; 75,000 to 99,999: 30; 100,000 to 149,999: 35; 150,000 and above: 18
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (43). 51 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2010 | 23 |
| 2011 | 26 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2014 | 36 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 29 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2007: 1; 2008: 9; 2009: 13; 2010: 23; 2011: 26; 2012: 19; 2013: 19; 2014: 36; 2015: 14; 2016: 29; 2017: 19; 2018: 10; 2019: 12; 2020: 7; 2021: 4; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10211644 · 2007-12-04 (December 4, 2007)
2008 FORD FOCUS WITH SEAT BELT SAFETY DEFECT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SHOULDER STRAP AND LAP BELT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED FOR HEIGHT ON THE TWO DOOR MODEL. CONSUMER BELIEVES THESE WOULD BE UNSAFE IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. *KB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10211644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10216930 · 2008-02-04 (February 4, 2008)
WENT OFF ROAD IN GRASS TO AVOID A HEAD ON CRASH WHEN MERGING BACK ON TO ASPHALT TIE ROD SEPARATED FROM RACK AND PINION CAUSING CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL CRASHING IN TO A TELEPHONE POLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,090 miles reported. Look up ODI 10216930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218952 · 2008-02-23 (February 23, 2008)
THE TRANSMISSIONS SHIFT POINTS ARE NOT CALIBRATED CORRECTLY. THE SHIFT POINTS ARE OFF. STARTING FROM A STOP THE VEHICLES FIRST SHIFT IS 3000RPM. WHILE UNDER NORMAL ACCELERATION FROM THAT POINT THE RPM'S CAN GO AS HIGH AS 3500 BEFORE THE SECOND SHIFT. ONCE IN SECOND GEAR, DEPENDING ON THE ENGINE LOAD THE RPM'S CAN GO AS HIGH AS 4000. AS I MENTIONED,ENGINE LOAD. ON A SLIGHT DOWNGRADE THE TRANS SHIFTS NORMAL WITH LOWER RPM AT ALL SHIFT POINTS. ON A SLIGHT UPGRADE SHIFT POINTS ARE HIGHER. DRIVE DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A STEADY SPEED. THE FIRST SHIFT S…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10218952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10221643 · 2008-03-19 (March 19, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED, THE WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE MOTOR WAS STILL MAKING NOISE, BUT NO MOVEMENT OCCURRED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE WIPERS, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10221643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10223217 · 2008-04-03 (April 3, 2008)
FAULTY WINDSHIELD ON 2008 FORD FOCUS SES 4DR SEDAN BLURRY AT BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD SERVICE MGR SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE TILL FORD RECALLS CONDENSATION INSIDE THE WINDSHIELD TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT THEY REPLACED WINDSHIELD WATER LEAKING IN ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES NOT SEALED CORRECTLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10223217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10229381 · 2008-05-31 (May 31, 2008)
REAR AUTOMATIC WINDOW WILL NOT OPERATE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10229898 · 2008-06-04 (June 4, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE, JACK, AND/OR LUG WRENCH AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLES DO NOT COME WITH SPARE TIRES, JACKS OR LUG WRENCHES. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE A JACK, SPARE TIRE, AND WRENCH, BUT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT DESIGN A SPARE TIRE OR JACK FOR THE TWO DOOR FORD FOCUS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ UPDATED
Owner-reported narrative. 104 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232530 · 2008-06-27 (June 27, 2008)
I WAS MERGING INTO THE CENTER LANE WHEN A CAR FROM THE RIGHT SIDE WAS DRIVING IN MY LINE. I MOVE BACK IN MY LANE AND THE CAR STARTED FISH TALING AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL. I HIT THE GUARD RAIL TWICE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY MY SPEED WAS 55-60 MPH. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BECAUSE THE WALL OF THE FIREWALL AND ENGINE WAS DAMAGED. THIS WAS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. HELP!
Owner-reported narrative. 6,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232530 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V541000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2007-11-21 (November 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗