NHTSA has 250 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Ford Focus[1]. The electrical system is the biggest group, with 57 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups owners raised, biggest first.
- Electrical System. 57 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car suddenly losing power and dropping to a rough idle until it is shut off and restarted. Others describe door locks that refuse to release and an ignition key that binds when turned.
- Structure. 41 complaints[5]. Owners describe rear doors that will not open from inside or outside. Some say the dealer wanted payment just to look at it after the warranty ended.
- Air Bags. 26 complaints[6]. This group links to 17 crashes and 14 injuries[6]. Owners describe crashes where the air bags did not deploy, plus a warning light that stayed on and a fuse that was replaced more than once.
- Latches/Locks/Linkages. 25 complaints[7]. Owners describe door latches that stick or fill with dust, leaving people locked in. Some report that replacing the latch did not cure it.
- Power Train. 23 complaints[8].
- Suspension. 23 complaints[9].
- Engine. 21 complaints[10].
- Tires. 18 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 Focus is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (07V541), November 2007. About 45 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD[14], 2 DR FWD[15].
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2008 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3,686 | 11 |
| 2001 | 1,761 | 7 |
| 2002 | 971 | 2 |
| 2003 | 977 | 1 |
| 2004 | 387 | 1 |
| 2005 | 441 | 1 |
| 2006 | 205 | 0 |
| 2007 | 391 | 0 |
| 2008 | 250 | 1 |
| 2009 | 229 | 0 |
| 2010 | 287 | 0 |
| 2011 | 113 | 0 |
| 2012 | 3,803 | 10 |
| 2013 | 2,181 | 14 |
| 2014 | 2,659 | 14 |
| 2015 | 1,034 | 11 |
| 2016 | 1,194 | 11 |
| 2017 | 907 | 10 |
| 2018 | 837 | 7 |
NHTSA's counts for the Focus show 250 complaints and 1 recalls for 2008[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 3 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 15 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2011 (113) and the most are for 2012 (3,803)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2008 Focus?
The 2008 Focus has 250 complaints on file, so it is worth a careful look before buying[1]. Door and lock trouble shows up across the structure and latch groups, and owners describe being unable to get out[5][7]. The air bag group is smaller, but it accounts for 17 of the crashes and 14 of the injuries[6]. Electrical complaints are the largest group[2]. These are unverified owner reports not adjusted for sales, so a pre-purchase check of the doors, locks and warning lights is a sensible step.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Focus?
- Electrical complaints lead the list[2], followed by structure[5] and air bags[6]. See the problems section for what owners describe.
- Has the 2008 Ford Focus been recalled?
- Yes, the by-year data shows a recall on file[3]. The Recalls section lists the details.
- Is the 2008 Ford Focus reliable?
- Owners filed 250 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Those are unverified reports and not adjusted for sales, so read the problems section and the verdict together.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Ford Focus?
- See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
- Is 2008 the best year for the Ford Focus?
- See the by-year comparison on this page. It lists complaints and recalls for each model year[3].
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Ford Focus
Compare all model years of the Ford Focus
Other Ford models from 2008
Similar cars from 2008: compact cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 250 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Ford Focus (21 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 20 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 57 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Focus model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Focus, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 41 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,100). NHTSA vehicle records
- 26 complaints name the air bags component group (17 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,737). NHTSA vehicle records
- 25 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,487). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 07V541, filed November 21, 2007: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Focus, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 35 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FOCUS 2DR COUPE FWD S/SE/SES: length 175 in, width 68 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,586 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FOCUS 4DR SEDAN FWD S/SE/SES: length 175 in, width 68 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,621 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov