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CarComplaints.com Notes: Even though the first model year of a major redesign should typically be avoided, Ford did a good job & the 2008 Ford Focus doesn't appear to have any major defects.

That said, the following model years of this 2nd generation Focus (2009-2011) do appear to be slightly better.

2.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,757 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Ford Focus body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2008 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #13

Oct 172017

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. While driving 10 mph, the rear passenger door opened independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #12

Mar 242017

Focus

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the rear driver side door latch failed without warning. As a result, the contact stated that the door had to be secured with a rope. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Carlisle, PA, USA

problem #11

Jan 122015

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
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

- Belle Plaine, MN, USA

problem #10

Oct 012015

Focus

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Shelbyville, KY, USA

problem #9

Aug 022014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 92,314 miles
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.

- Ft. Oglethorpe, GA, USA

problem #8

Jul 312008

Focus 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Door latches continue to have problems. We have had them repaired by dealer twice now and the rear door latches are broken again now for the third time! this is a serious safety concern since rear passengers cannot quickly or safely exit vehicle in case of emergency!

- Rixeyville, VA, USA

problem #7

Jan 222013

Focus 4-cyl

  • 212,023 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The right rear door is locked shut and cannot be opened. This is not the result of any accident or occurance. The door cannot be opened from the inside or the outside or with the key or remote operator. If anyone is trapped inside the vehicle or if ingress is needed in an emergency, this door is inoperable. There is a mechanical or electrical failure which makes the door unusable.

- Williamsport, PA, USA

problem #6

Jun 012008

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
I bought my car in April 2008 by June the doors were hard to open. At that time I lubricate them, that seem to help for a short time. Then the back doors would not close opening as I was driving. My car was still under warranty. I went to meredith Ford in Plymouth nh. I was told it was cosmetic and they did'N work because I lived on a dirt road.which I did not. I told them some one was going to fall out of my car I was told by the service manager I better have good insurance. I still have a rope holding by back doors closed. And I was never treated so badly before in my life.

- Dorchester, NH, USA

problem #5

Jul 012011

Focus 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
My car has had issues with the doors for quite awhile. Its always been annoying, but its never really seemed like such a big deal to me. Today, hot summer day, I went shopping with my boyfriend, he said I'm going to go get your car I will be back, as 30 minutes pass he is finally back to tell me that my door will not unlock. The key would not unluck the door. I have had problems with the back doors just being stuck on lock for days at a time but it always eventually fixes itself, which is why I have never reported it before. But today I had to pay 30 dollars for a locksmith to come out and unlock my door. I am not very happy because I am a poor college kid who could really use that money on something else. As I research this online I see more than enough complaints about the very same thing happening to people with the same car that I have. It could have been very dangerous if for some reason there was a kid in the car that we could not get out. It infuriates me that no one will do anything about this. I think it is only fair that this problem be investigated and if necessary the cars be on recall to get fixed for free. Thank you.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #4

Jul 122012

Focus

  • 60,000 miles
The front drivers side and rear passenger side doors cannot be opened from outside the car. The rear handle seems to pull normally but the mechanism does not work. The door can be opened from inside the car. The front driver side door handle pulls out loosely. When I tried to open the door 3 days ago something broke inside the door. The door can be opened from inside the car. The rear driver's side window mechanism failed right after I bought the car. The motor will go down but the window will not. I can pull it down by putting one hand on either side of the glass (after operating the button that would normally open the window) the window can be closed using the button.

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #3

Nov 232011

Focus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The back driver's door will not open. Door is unlocked but cannot be opened from the inside or outside of the car.

- Little Falls, NY, USA

problem #2

Jan 012011

Focus

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the rear doors would not open. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 74,000 and current mileage was 80,000.

- West Middlesex, PA, USA

problem #1

Sep 252010

Focus

  • 49,500 miles
I have a 2008 Ford Focus that the warranty has expired. The issue is the back passenger door will not open from inside or out causing a serious safety issue. I called the dealer and they want to charge me money just to look at it.. I don't think a door opening should be viewed in this way. There has been no accident. It just stopped opening. I loved my Focus until the initial warranty expired. Please help me.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

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