2008 Ford Focus problems and complaints

Owners have filed 250 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Ford Focus. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (57), Structure (41), Air Bags (26).

Key takeaways

  • 250 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 21 involve a crash, 0 a fire, 20 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5723%
Structure4116%
Air Bags2610%
Latches/Locks/Linkages2510%
Suspension239%
Power Train239%
Tires198%
Unknown Or Other187%
Vehicle Speed Control146%
Engine146%
Wheels146%
Service Brakes135%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2008 Ford Focus 4-DR. w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated
2008 Ford Focus 2-DR. Hatchback w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Air Bags,unknown Or Other,fuel/Propulsion System - filed 2026-06-09

N/a

Service Brakes - filed 2025-09-25

The brakes went to the floor and the whole car locked up. When I pressed the brakes to slow down it felt like something on the brakes just fell apart. I was in a car accident because of this I hit another car no no

Unknown Or Other - filed 2025-08-12

Starter has always been difficult but now key stuck in ignition and won't start either

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More for the 2008 Ford Focus

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.