Vehicles / Ford / Focus / 2008

2008 Ford Focus

250 federal complaints (336 component records) · 1 recall campaigns on file · 1 federal investigation · 17 service bulletins · 1 Canadian recall
See all 20 model years of the Ford Focus →
Engine
2.0L 4-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
FWD
EPA economy
24 city / 33 hwy
Federal complaints
250
Recall campaigns
1
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Electrical system
57
Body & structure
42
Air bags
27
Latches & locks
25
Suspension
23
Power train
23
Tires
21
Engine & cooling
21
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 18 complaints01 years old: 21 complaints2 years old: 31 complaints3 years old: 22 complaints4 years old: 17 complaints5 years old: 21 complaints56 years old: 28 complaints7 years old: 12 complaints8 years old: 28 complaints9 years old: 17 complaints10 years old: 5 complaints1011 years old: 9 complaints12 years old: 9 complaints13 years old: 2 complaints14 years old: 2 complaints15 years old: 2 complaints1516 years old: 1 complaints17 years old: 2 complaints18 years old: 1 complaints19 years old: 0 complaints20+ years old: 0 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 248 of 250 complaints with a usable failure date.

Odometer when the failure occurred

0,000 - 20,000 miles: 23 complaints020,000 - 40,000 miles: 38 complaints40,000 - 60,000 miles: 24 complaints40k60,000 - 80,000 miles: 33 complaints80,000 - 100,000 miles: 24 complaints80k100,000 - 120,000 miles: 16 complaints120,000 - 140,000 miles: 15 complaints120k140,000 - 160,000 miles: 8 complaints160,000 - 180,000 miles: 4 complaints160k180,000 - 200,000 miles: 2 complaints200,000+ miles: 8 complaints200k+
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 195 of 250 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Electrical system

57 complaint records
"I HAVE TO PUSH THE KEY IN REALLY HARD BEFORE THE ENGINE WILL TURN OVER...I JUST HOPE IT DONT LEAVE ME STRANDED ONE DAY......."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →

Body & structure

42 complaint records1 crash report
"HAVE PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER DOOR AND BOTH REAR DOORS. DOOR WON'T LATCH AT TIMES AND POWER DOOR LOCK WON'T LOCK AT TIMES AND SOMETIMES WON'T UNLOCK OR BOTH...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse body & structure parts in the directory →

Air bags

27 complaint records18 crash reports
"Airbag light came on. The vehicle has 123,000 on it. It just recently came on the dash while driving. I see there is no recall for airbag light indicator...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
PE08060
opened Oct 2008
closed Apr 2009TiresTIRE VALVE CRACKING
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...

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
07V541000Air BagsCERTAIN 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.Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2007373
2007-11-26
Airbag3Certain vehicles may contain an incorrectly assembled driver's airbag module. The airbag may not deploy properly during a frontal crash, which could increase the driver's risk of injury.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
SSM 54601
Feb 2026
Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code.
SSM 52476
Apr 2024
EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery.
SSM 47009
Jan 2018
EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE).
SSM 46332
Jan 2017
EquipmentREPLACING THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SYNC/NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH EITHER AN AFTERMARKET SYNC/NAVIGATION KIT OR MODIFYING ORIGINAL SYNC/NAVIGATION PARTS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FEATURES IS NOT RECOMMENDED NOR SUPPORTED ON ANY FORD, MERCURY OR LINCOLN VEHICLE.
SSM 46132
Oct 2016
Service BrakesSOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED.
Show 12 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
SSM 46085
Sep 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingThe Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns.
ASI-44649
Jul 2014
EquipmentFORD: A JOB AID WAS DEVELOPED AND NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE PTU INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL FLUID LEAKAGE FOR ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. *PE
AS-21769
Mar 2011
Electrical SystemFORD: IF THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER, SURGE, OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WILL OVERRIDE ACCELERATION. *RM
SB-21510
Sep 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlFORD: ONE SOME 2008-2010 FOCUS VEHICLES THERE MAY BE AN INOPERABLE SPEED CONTROL. *RM
TB-21399
Jul 2010
TiresFORD: PREMATURE FRONT/REAR TIRE WEAR AND/OR VEHICLE DRIFT ON WET OR SNOW COVERED ROADS. IF PERFORMING AN ALIGNMENT, RECORD ALL ALIGN-MENT ANGLES PRIOR TO ANY ADJUSTMENTS, AND ENTER IN WARRANTY CLAIM IF APPLICABLE. *PE
TSB-08-22-2
Feb 2009
Fuel SystemFORD: VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0456 (VERY SMALL EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED; VERY SMALL LEAK 0.020" (0.51 MM) DIAMETER). *PE
TSB-08-9-3
Oct 2008
Power TrainFORD: MIL ON DTC P0128/ DELAYED 3-4 UPSHIFT/IMPROVED HILL HOLD. BUILT ON OR BEFORE 4/18/08. VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A DELAYED 3-4 UPSHIFT/MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP. *PE
TSB-0819-9
Sep 2008
SteeringFORD: SOME VEHICLES BUILT ON OR AFTER 10/3/05 MAY EXPERIENCE A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF THE POWER STEERING (P/S) SYSTEM LEAKING AND/OR SYSTEM NOISY. *PE
08-5-8
Mar 2008
Power Train4R27E TRANSAXLE NO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR--BUILT ON OR BEFORE 1/29/08. *NJ
07T08-S1
Jan 2008
Visibility2008 FOCUS DEFROSTER PERFORMANCE UPGRADE PRIOR TO SALE - PARTS UPDATE. *NJ
SI-20010
Oct 2007
EquipmentFORD: SOME MULTIPLES VEHICLES REPLACEMENTS MAY REQUIRE REVISED AS BUILT DATA. THE NEW LEVEL SJB SERVICE PART INTRODUCED BETWEEN 10/07 AND 02/08 WILL REQUIRE ENTRY OF AS BUILT DATA. *PE
SI-20014
Oct 2007
TiresFORD: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SLIGHT TIRE SHAKE OR VIBRATION CAUSED BY TEMPORARY TIRE FLAT SPOTTING. IF TIRE SHAKE/VIBRATION IS EVIDENT AT PRE DELIVERY OR VERY LOW MILEAGE DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR 10-15 MILES PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING ANY REPAIRS. *PE

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
  2. Walk the body slowly in daylight.Panel gaps, rust at the rockers and wheel arches, and cracked trim are this vehicle's structure complaints. Open and close the liftgate or trunk and look at the latch area.
  3. Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Ford Focus →