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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.

8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,700
Average Mileage:
86,600 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. rebuild transmission (5 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
  3. replace transmission (1 reports)
2008 Ford Focus transmission problems

transmission problem

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2008 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #8

Dec 062017

Focus 1.6L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,419 miles

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

click to see larger images

transmission failure

It's a very good car, I brought this second hand end of Dec 2017. I found transmission error issue since I purchased. While driving I get transmission failure & engine failure on the dash & also check engine light appears.

As my car is not under warranty the previous owner had stopped taking it to the local dealer Saud Bahwan, but approached them with this issue.They asked me to leave the car with them for 3 to 4 working days just to analyze the issue! I need suggestion how to overcome this issue & what is fix for it. My contact number is 99774826.

- Asif A., Seeb, Oman

problem #7

Nov 022017

Focus SE 2.0L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

this vehicle was not good for me, I had to repair the brackets, the transmission, the safety locks sometimes got stuck, and in general the small ford transmissions are not good.

- jessibeltran, Tijuana, Mexico

problem #6

Aug 182015

Focus SES 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

I PURCHASED THE 2008 FORD SES IN AUG 2009--FINISHED PAYING FOR IT IN MAR 2015. In May of this year the ignition switched went bad and had to be replaced, in August, this month, the reverse gear stopped working we took the car to Ford dealership their diagnosis was that the transmission exploded that it was full of scrap metal and the metal was also in the cooling system of the transmission.

In order to fix the problem it would cost us $5000+ to replace the transmission with a Ford Motor Company rebuilt transmission and cooling system. What's up Ford Motor Company...you build cars so they have catastrophic issues right after you finish paying for them. This is very lame since I always did periodic maintenance changing oil, and checking all fluids into the car.

Where does a 73 year old woman goes to find $5000+ to cover for this mess. I need an explanation from Ford and possibly some kind of compensation. This should not happen to a car that is not even 8 years old. This is 2015 you can build cars that don't break!!. Now I have no car and no money to buy a car. Wake up Ford because I will flood the internet with this story. Make good!!

- r_schrei, C, NC, US

problem #5

Jun 082015

Focus ES 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles

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

Poor excuse for a transmission that has only 69000 miles on it. What's up Ford?

Update from Jun 9, 2015: One more reason to give the foreign auto makers another buyer!

- Tommy H., Longview, TX, US

problem #4

Feb 182014

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,009 miles

This is the first "F"ound "O"n "R"ound "D"ead vehicle I have ever owned... worst mistake of my life. I bought this piece of sh*t a year ago and it broke down before I even hit the year mark!!!!! First, my car would jump forward when I put it in reverse and drive gear, then my gear slowly but surely started giving out. My rpm would raise but my speedometer would go lower. I can turn my car off and it would go back to normal which I have never had happen, even when my transmission went out in my K1500. So what could it possibly be... any ideas?

- Brandee L., Schertz, TX, US

problem #3

Jan 102013

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

We have regularly maintained this vehicle, and at 95,000 miles it hardly seems as though a transmission should go. I drive quite a bit and loved the gas mileage. so taking care of it is a priority. but a new car!?! So is there a recall or is this just a roller skate made without any care or pride? we also needed a new alternator, the mechanic was also surprised that we had this problem and needed the trans rebuilt.

- carol howard, Holly, MI, US

problem #2

May 242011

Focus 1.5L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,069 miles

I'm the Owner of a Ford Focus 2008 holding VIN:WF04XXWPD47U40004 origin country FORD ESPANA,VALENCIA, I bought the car from the agent in my country Egypt (Egyptian American Automotive EAA) My Car condition as follows: Kilometers 50,000 KM in three years (approximate 1400Km/month, while average rate in my country Egypt 4000 - 5000 Km/month) Periodic Maintenance was done and evidence documents available for the 5000Km, 10000Km, 20000Km, 30000Km, 40000Km & 50000Km

Description of the complaint case: Maintenance for 50,000 Km was done in April 2011, then by third week of May 2011 I found a transmission failure & Engine failure massages on screen. Immediately; I called the service centre and asked shall I drive the car to your services centre with such messages appearing, they said “yes”. I was surprised when the agent service centre informed me that the gear box may need to be replaced!, or that may be partial replacement (gear box control system) need replacement

My concerns that: During last maintenance visit, which as far as I understand it should be a full check up for the vehicle should take place; I didn’t receive any sort of indication that it’s expected that there are some sort of defects in a critical part of the vehicle. Other point is, how come in such little usage of kilometers a FORD car is defected in such critical part. The most important issue here, I bought this brand because it’s FORD and no doubt about its reputation and products durability across years! Currently the car is in the maintenance centre since Monday 30th 2011. And waiting final decision. What I need to know from FORD manufacturer is:

Q1:Is less than 50,000KM considered the life span for such a critical part like the gear box unit or even a component and when fixed; is this will happen every 50000KM??! Q2:Isn't this part critical enough to be checked during the periodic maintenance which is taking place every 10000km??! what is the program of periodic maintenance then?!!!

Notes for your consideration: All documents of evidence are available upon request My Vehicle was subject to A/C compressor replacement (during warranty), which clearly seems that there was a some sort of problems in 2008 production line Also, like 2 or 3 times a month the vehicle front cover lock is not working and I have to always visit the maintenance centre for fixing. I Really need to receive your justification for the situation, and to verify whether my chioce was correct decision!!!!!

Update from Sep 5, 2011: although my car conditions as per previously descriped, Ford didn't do anything to save reputation thank Ford for paying 2000 USD for fixing a manufacurer problem in your focus!!!!

Mahmoud Abou Bakr Account Manager mahmoud.bakry@alkancit.com

- Mahmoud A., Cairo, Cairo, Egypt

problem #1

May 282010

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

This is a well maintained vehicle used for deliveries in our business. The transmission failed completely and the dealer hit us for almost $ 2000.00. We were surprised when they told us we needed a new transmission , but they did a rebuild. Now , five weeks later it failed again and they want us to pay the same for another rebuild in the transmission but say it may be another part. You didn't see a potential problem on the rebuild? What no warranty on your work. I said no way. They' re bringing in the ford rep. I better not have to pay a dime on a drive train everyone else says is warrantied for 100,000 miles. The car has less than 65,000 miles and is an '08. I'm now leasing a car for the business at $55/day for over a week already and no answer.

- ghulk80, New Tripoli, PA, US

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