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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,633 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 wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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2008 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #14

Jan 312020

Focus

  • 120,000 miles

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

Going through rear tires. Causing it to act like rear wheel drive vehicle on wet pavement. Had an alignment dine about 1 month ago and had good tires on it, they are now bald. Also back end slides when hitting even small bumps. First time was about 2 years ago, got it aligned and new tires was fine tile about 2 months ago. Got decent tires and an alignment its already doing itvagain.

- Jefferson City, TN, USA

problem #13

Jan 152016

Focus

  • 95,000 miles
I have replaced the tires on this vehicle 5 times in 6 years. The car was purchased in 2010, only 2 years old, and the first set of tires was replaced in 2011. Each time the tires are replaced it's because there is abnormal wear on the inside of the tires; so much damage, the steel radial from tires is sticking out. I was told I needed new sway bar links; replaced those as well, but have since put another new set of tires on this car. When I replaced these tires, I also had to replace 3 lug nuts which were broken as well. I have researched this problem; many others are experiencing this same issue. Two mechanics have tried to figure out what is causing the tires to wear prematurely and unevenly, and I still have no answer. My tires which are supposed to be good for 45,000 miles or more, depending on what I buy, and no matter what brand I buy, none have lasted 20,000 miles. The only option I have is to replace my tires approximately once a year which is unacceptable. I refuse to spend money replacing parts trying to fix the problem by "process of elimination" because no one seems to know what the root cause of the problem is. The premature, uneven tire wear is simply a "symptom" of a defect that no one seems to be able to identify. The first thing you will notice is the vibration; which continues to get worse even after alignments and tire rotations. Also, the low tire pressure light will go on because the tires lose air since they are wearing prematurely and unevenly. Once this starts happening, you may as well start saving for a new set of tires; unless Ford comes clean and admits the defect and does a recall; but don't hold your breath. On this form, there is a question that says "when did this happen?" I had to choose a year so I just picked one; it has happened in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

- Mason, IL, USA

problem #12

Feb 012012

Focus

  • 15,000 miles
My. 2008 Ford, Focus has factory installed sunshine shield on all windows. It has become impossible to see through the back windshield, especially at night, the installed shade had become foggy! my car eats tires which have to be replaced approximately every 2.5years. The heater/air-conditioner fan has shorted out 3 times, thankfully, no fire has been started! all of these complaints occur on stationary or moving vehicle. The only complaint that has been taken to the shop is the tire complaint. No problem was identified.

- Globe, AZ, USA

problem #11

Dec 012009

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles

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

The car suspension is easily unaligned and causes the car to go through tires at an alarmingly above average rate. 30,000+ mile tires do not make it 20,000 without severe damage and wear. After owning the car and taking it to many different shops the results are always the same that my cars suspension is not correct. I have had to replace 5 sets of sway bar links and at least 8+ sets of tires in the 100,000 miles I have drove the car. I have receipts for 90% of my purchases for repairs, parts, and service that all relate back to the cars suspension not functioning properly and wearing abnormally.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #10

Nov 012013

Focus 4-cyl

  • 17,000 miles
I have had the vehicle since it first hit the car lot with 15 miles on it. Since purchase, I have changed the wheel bearings 9 times! this is scary as the bearings can break apart and cause my vehicle to lose control. I have had enough! now, the bearing is bad again, just changed in April 2014.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #9

May 022014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
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. At impact my car spun 180 degrees sliding backwards into a deep ditch, on right side of road, rolling onto drivers side then back onto all four wheels. The airbags never deployed as I was tossed around inside car hitting my head, neck and left shoulder area causing injury. I did have my lap and shoulder belt on and in the correct position.

- New Middletown, OH, USA

problem #8

Apr 142010

Focus

  • miles

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

I experience premature tire wear on my Focus. I have had this issue for several years. I have taken it to a Ford dealer numerous times to get it fixed but they tell me nothing is wrong. The car also handles horribly in wet or wintery weather regardless of the type or condition of the tires. I feel unsafe driving this car in these conditions. I have done research on this issue and have found that this is an alarmingly common complaint with Ford Focus owners. Body style years of roughly 2007-2010. It is a dangerous issue and needs to be addressed for all Ford Focus owners with the same issues before someone gets seriously hurt or dies.(myself included.)

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #7

Jan 242014

Focus 4-cyl

  • 70,866 miles
I bought this car for my daughter at loving Lincoln Mercury in lufkin Texas. While test driving the car I noticed 1) that the brakes were making a light grinding noise while coming to a stop. 2) the low tire pressure indicator light was on. The salesman assured me they would take care of the problem before I bought it. When we picked it up they said they looked at all the brakes and they were ok. Also, the tire pressure light was no longer on, so I went ahead and bought the car. Now, just a few days after taking possession of the car the low tire pressure light is on again. The tires were made in china. The brand name of the tires is "goodride". I have read online that the chinese valve stems were recalled during certain years. I will have the dealer alerted and get a tire store to check the tires and valve stems.

- Lufkin, TX, USA

problem #6

May 252013

Focus 4-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
I am having major issues with starting my vehicle. I will turn the key and nothing happens. I have to forcefully turn my steering wheel back and forth before my vehicle will start. This is happening with both keys that I own. Also I'm on my third set of tires as they are wearing on the inside very quickly. I've had alignment after alignment done and nothing is fixing the issue. This is my second Focus and this 2008 compared to my 2000 is a piece of junk. I shouldn't be having so many issues with this vehicle.

- Webster, MA, USA

problem #5

Sep 242009

Focus

  • 20,000 miles
I just hit the 100,000 mile mark on my 2008 Focus, I bought the car new, after a little over a year at 20,000 miles I had to replace my tires, my car was shaking really bad and making alot of road noise. Then at 84,000 miles I had to put on my 4th set of tires. My miles are all highway miles, I rotate every 6000 miles, they always tell me the alignment is within factory settings. Then at 98000 miles my car started doing it again, they said my rear tires are bad, they blamed it on a bad trailing arm and they had to reset my chanber toes in the rear end, again, they said my alignment is fine. All of this was done at the Ford dealership that I originally purchased the car. So now at 100,000 miles, I am getting ready to put on my 5th set of tires. This is insane. I'm afraid at some point somebody is going to have a tire blowout or something and somebody is going to get hurt. Please help to fix this problem.

- Dewitt, IA, USA

problem #4

Mar 012010

Focus 4-cyl

  • 35,000 miles

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

The vehicle has had the rear wheels misaligned since new purchase. Dealership has never omitted the problem is with the vehicle and continues to insist it is a tire issue. The misaligned wheel causes multiple flat spotting and excessive wear on tires, which leads to heavy vibration and noise at highway speeds. There is a class action lawsuit in California resulting from this problem.

- Bunker Hill, WV, USA

problem #3

Oct 122011

Focus 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
At 60,000 miles the car started chewing up tires and still is. The first set it did this to were worn to the wire under the rubber before it was noticed. It has chewed up two more sets since then all in under 10,000 miles and the tires are rated for approx. 50,000 miles.

- Millboro, VA, USA

problem #2

Apr 012011

Focus 4-cyl

  • miles
Ford dealer had fixed front wheel bearings under warranty, but will not fix rear wheel bearings under warranty. Car makes a roaring noise while driving. I think the rear parts on the car have been recalled, but the dealer wants to charge me $490 to fix. Also I paid $25 from the Ford dealer for wipers that keep scraping the windshield and give me poor visibility.

- Greenbelt, MD, USA

problem #1

Feb 142010

Focus

  • 36,000 miles
I have a 2008 Ford Focus, I have replace the tires on it 3 times already due to wear there is only 37,000 miles on my car. I have been given the run around from the Ford dealer there is a serious issue with the suspension on these cars and its goning to cause serious accident or even death when these cars start to fail expecially at highway speeds. I am on my fourth set of tires and they will soon need to be replaced. I am also hearing a squeaking noise coming from the right rear wheel well. I believe it is also the suspension.

- Queen Creek, AZ, USA

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