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2008 Ford Focus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Ford Focus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 864.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

199 reports with mileage · 51 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports0 fire reports18 injury reports

Structure complaints

41 reports
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106,000 miles · Sep 6, 2016
Structure

IN JULY OF 2015 THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR OF MY CAR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. IN JULY AND AUGUST OF 2016 MY DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE AS WELL AS THE BACK DOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I'M DISABLED AND I HAVE TO LEAVE MY DOORS UNLOCKED SO THAT I CAN CRAWL INTO THE BACK SEAT AND OPEN MY DRIVERS DOOR WITH MY CANE TO …

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IN JULY OF 2015 THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR OF MY CAR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. IN JULY AND AUGUST OF 2016 MY DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE AS WELL AS THE BACK DOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I'M DISABLED AND I HAVE TO LEAVE MY DOORS UNLOCKED SO THAT I CAN CRAWL INTO THE BACK SEAT AND OPEN MY DRIVERS DOOR WITH MY CANE TO GET IN.

NHTSA ODI #10903808

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2016
Structure

THE TAKATA RECALL-BOTH OF MY DOOR LATCH ARE NOT WORKING ON MY FORD FOCU 2008

NHTSA ODI #10897469

18,671 miles · Aug 17, 2016
Structure

TAKATA RECALL ONE DAY WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR ON DRIVERSIDE AND MY DOORHANDLE BROKE FROM OUTSIDE, CAN OPEN IT FROM INSIDE BUT NOT OUTSIDE TOOK IT TO LOCAL DEALER THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME 200-300 DOLLARS TO FIX I DONT HAVE THAT KINDA MONEY SO I GET IN PASSINGER SIDE AND ROLL WINDOW DOWN SO I CAN REACH IN DRIVERS DOOR TO OPE…

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TAKATA RECALL ONE DAY WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR ON DRIVERSIDE AND MY DOORHANDLE BROKE FROM OUTSIDE, CAN OPEN IT FROM INSIDE BUT NOT OUTSIDE TOOK IT TO LOCAL DEALER THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME 200-300 DOLLARS TO FIX I DONT HAVE THAT KINDA MONEY SO I GET IN PASSINGER SIDE AND ROLL WINDOW DOWN SO I CAN REACH IN DRIVERS DOOR TO OPEN DOOR ITS A HASSLE

NHTSA ODI #10896530

100,000 miles · Aug 7, 2016
Structure

THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN TWICE ON MY CAR, I CAN UNLOCK THE CAR BUT CANNOT OPEN THE CAR, CURRENTLY BOTH DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN ON THE CAR AND THE ONLY ACCESS INSIDE THE CAR IS THROUGH THE TRUNK, THE PART /LABOR TO FIX THE DOOR IS ABOUT $400 AND THE PART ONLY LASTS ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE IT BREAKS AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME T…

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THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN TWICE ON MY CAR, I CAN UNLOCK THE CAR BUT CANNOT OPEN THE CAR, CURRENTLY BOTH DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN ON THE CAR AND THE ONLY ACCESS INSIDE THE CAR IS THROUGH THE TRUNK, THE PART /LABOR TO FIX THE DOOR IS ABOUT $400 AND THE PART ONLY LASTS ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE IT BREAKS AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE I HAD STEPPED OUT OF MY CAR WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING TO GET MY MAIL, WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN! THERE WERE TWO EMT'S ACROSS THE STREET AND THEY CALLED THE DEPUTY SHERIFF TO HELP ME GET ACCESS TO THE CAR. THEY SAID IT WAS LUCKY THAT I HAD NOT HAD AN INFANT OR SMALL CHILD IN THE CAR. THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TO KEEP MY WINDOW ROLLED DOWN OR CRAWL THROUGH THE TRUNK UNTIL I CAN GET IT FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #10893798

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2016
Structure

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE 4 DOOR HANDLES THAT HAVE BROKEN TWICE AND HAVE 3 BROKEN DOOR HANDLES RIGHT NOW, INCLUDING THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS $400 PER DOOR. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE DOOR HANDLES AND PAY FOR THE COST OF REPAIR ON THE BROKEN DOORS I HAVE NOW. IF I HAD A…

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TAKATA RECALL I HAVE 4 DOOR HANDLES THAT HAVE BROKEN TWICE AND HAVE 3 BROKEN DOOR HANDLES RIGHT NOW, INCLUDING THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS $400 PER DOOR. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE DOOR HANDLES AND PAY FOR THE COST OF REPAIR ON THE BROKEN DOORS I HAVE NOW. IF I HAD A MEDICAL EMERGENCY WHILE DRIVING, NO ONE COULD OPEN MY DOOR TO HELP!

NHTSA ODI #10865759

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2016
Electrical SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10821969

50,000 miles · Dec 1, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS RUSTING AT THE BOTTOM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10807769

101,000 miles · Feb 4, 2015
Structure

THE VEHICLE HAS FLAWED LATCHING MECHANISMS. WITHIN 6 MONTHS, 3 OUT OF MY 4 DOORS FAILED TO CLOSE. THEY STILL WILL NOT CLOSE. I WAS TAKING A TURN, WHEN MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED. I EVENTUALLY GOT IT TO CLOSE, HOWEVER AFTER SEVERAL USES, IT WILL NOT LATCH SHUT. NEITHER WILL THE REAR DRIVER DOOR. THE DRIVER DOOR HAD THE SAME PR…

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THE VEHICLE HAS FLAWED LATCHING MECHANISMS. WITHIN 6 MONTHS, 3 OUT OF MY 4 DOORS FAILED TO CLOSE. THEY STILL WILL NOT CLOSE. I WAS TAKING A TURN, WHEN MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED. I EVENTUALLY GOT IT TO CLOSE, HOWEVER AFTER SEVERAL USES, IT WILL NOT LATCH SHUT. NEITHER WILL THE REAR DRIVER DOOR. THE DRIVER DOOR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT I HAD IT FIXED. BOTH BACK DOORS ARE CURRENTLY DUCT TAPED SHUT DUE TO HIGH PRICE OF PARTS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH A FOCUS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. IF A DOOR OPENS WHILE DRIVING, SOMEONE WILL GET SERIOUSLY HURT IN A COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10681339

100,000 miles · Oct 29, 2014
Structure

DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR NO LONGER OPENS FROM OUTSIDE. IN ORDER TO ENTER CAR, MUST EITHER ENTER THROUGH PASSENGER SEAT, OR LEAVE THE DRIVER'S WINDOW DOWN SO I CAN REACH IN AND OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR FROM THE INSIDE.THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WOULD BE UNABLE TO REMOVE …

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DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR NO LONGER OPENS FROM OUTSIDE. IN ORDER TO ENTER CAR, MUST EITHER ENTER THROUGH PASSENGER SEAT, OR LEAVE THE DRIVER'S WINDOW DOWN SO I CAN REACH IN AND OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR FROM THE INSIDE.THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WOULD BE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE DRIVER FROM THE VEHICLE, SINCE ALL OF THE CAR'S DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK THEMSELVES! I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE ON THIS WEBSITE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651141

92,314 miles · Aug 5, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

MY FATHER IS DISABLED. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, HE HAS BEEN LOCKED INSIDE HIS CAR DUE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR NOT OPENING FROM THE INSIDE. HE HAS STRUGGLED TO CRAWL OUT OF THE PASSENGER'S DOOR. HE ALSO HELPS TO TAKE CARE OF HIS 91 YEAR OLD MOTHER. I PRAY THAT THEY WILL BOTH BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. …

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MY FATHER IS DISABLED. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, HE HAS BEEN LOCKED INSIDE HIS CAR DUE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR NOT OPENING FROM THE INSIDE. HE HAS STRUGGLED TO CRAWL OUT OF THE PASSENGER'S DOOR. HE ALSO HELPS TO TAKE CARE OF HIS 91 YEAR OLD MOTHER. I PRAY THAT THEY WILL BOTH BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE A CHILD WAS IN THE CAR IN THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER? HIS VEHICLE IS A 2008 FORD FOCUS S/SE/SES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10618892

Official recalls

1

07V541000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Nov 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking

Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve

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 SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO