MYRModel Year Report

2008 Ford Focus

▲ Better than typical
2008 Ford Focus
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
250
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

1999: 11 complaints 1999 2000: 3,686 complaints 2001: 1,761 complaints 2002: 939 complaints 2002 2003: 977 complaints 2004: 387 complaints 2005: 441 complaints 2005 2006: 205 complaints 2007: 391 complaints 2008: 250 complaints 2008 250 2009: 229 complaints 2010: 287 complaints 2011: 113 complaints 2011 2012: 3,766 complaints 2013: 2,111 complaints 2014: 2,601 complaints 2014 2015: 1,019 complaints 2016: 1,181 complaints 2017: 896 complaints 2017 2018: 833 complaints
1999: 11 complaints 1999 2000: 3,686 complaints 2001: 1,761 complaints 2001 2002: 939 complaints 2003: 977 complaints 2003 2004: 387 complaints 2005: 441 complaints 2005 2006: 205 complaints 2007: 391 complaints 2008: 250 complaints 2008 250 2009: 229 complaints 2010: 287 complaints 2011: 113 complaints 2011 2012: 3,766 complaints 2013: 2,111 complaints 2013 2014: 2,601 complaints 2015: 1,019 complaints 2015 2016: 1,181 complaints 2017: 896 complaints 2017 2018: 833 complaints
1999: 11 complaints 1999 2000: 3,686 complaints 2000 2001: 1,761 complaints 2001 2002: 939 complaints 2002 2003: 977 complaints 2003 2004: 387 complaints 2004 2005: 441 complaints 2005 2006: 205 complaints 2006 2007: 391 complaints 2007 2008: 250 complaints 2008 250 2009: 229 complaints 2009 2010: 287 complaints 2010 2011: 113 complaints 2011 2012: 3,766 complaints 2012 2013: 2,111 complaints 2013 2014: 2,601 complaints 2014 2015: 1,019 complaints 2015 2016: 1,181 complaints 2016 2017: 896 complaints 2017 2018: 833 complaints 2018

2008: 250 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199911
20003,686
20011,761
2002939
2003977
2004387
2005441
2006205
2007391
2008250
2009229
2010287
2011113
20123,766
20132,111
20142,601
20151,019
20161,181
2017896
2018833

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

23% · 57 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and instrument cluster/panel.

Structure

17% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving nw on SR626 about 45 MPH when a white car pulled from stop sign striking my car in the pass side, hitting rear tire and body just in front of tire as I was swerving left to miss car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-05-13

Air bags

11% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My son rear ended another vehicle at about 35 MPH air bags didn't deploy other vehicle was stopped

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-10-06

The airbags did not deploy when the car rear ended another vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-06-13

My vehicle was in a head on collision in which the air bags failed to deploy on the driver side and passenger side, which in turn caused significant injury to both parties occupying the vehicle at the time of the accident.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-04-06

Latches/locks/linkages

10% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing latch.

Suspension

9% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing rear and subframe/mounting bracket.

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-03-20

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2007-11-20Air bags07V541000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2008-10-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-04-09 Tire valve cracking
  3. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Ford Focus — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 57 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 42 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 27 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07V541000 · Air bags
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Ford Focus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Ford Focus is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Focus?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Focus have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.