2008 Ford Focus Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2008 Ford Focus has a complaint index of 15, ranking 12th out of 14 model years for reported problems, and carries a Good verdict, though that verdict is capped because 2005-2009 complaint records are less complete. NHTSA lists one recall, for airbag module assembly.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 15/100
- #12 of 14 Focus years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 250
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 21
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 20
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 24 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 20 / 0
Top 2008 Ford Focus problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body61 (24%)
- Electrical System57 (23%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires43 (17%)
- Engine33 (13%)
- Airbags26 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain23 (9%)
- Other20 (8%)
- Brakes13 (5%)
- Steering12 (5%)
- Seat Belts8 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during moderate-speed crashes, including guardrail impacts and rear-end collisions.
- A tie rod reportedly separated from the rack and pinion at low mileage, causing loss of steering control.
- Owners reported the driver seat head restraint detaching during a rear-end collision.
- One owner described the vehicle suddenly losing control and crashing into a tree while driving.
- A brake failure was reported where the pedal went to the floor and the brakes appeared to lock up, leading to a collision.
- An owner noted the seat belt shoulder strap and lap belt could not be adjusted for height on the two-door model.
2008 Ford Focus recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 07V541000Nov 21, 2007Airbags45 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
2008 Ford Focus fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Ford Focus reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2008 Focus a complaint index of 15, the 12th highest among 14 model years, and it carries a Good verdict relative to other Focus years.
- Why is the 2008 Focus verdict capped at Good instead of Best?
- The verdict is capped to Good because NHTSA complaint records for the 2005-2009 model years are considered less complete, not because of the complaint index itself.
- Does the 2008 Ford Focus have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 07V541000, for a driver air bag module that may not have been properly assembled.
- What is the most common problem area for the 2008 Ford Focus?
- Structure & Body complaints are the largest category, accounting for 61 of 250 total complaints, or 24 percent.
- How does the 2008 Focus compare to later model years like 2012 or 2013?
- The 2008 Focus has a much lower complaint index (15) than 2012 (100) or 2013 (85), both of which carry Avoid verdicts.