The 2008 Ford Focus's elevated safety profile includes 2 recall campaigns and 249 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

Recalls

249

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

08E0500002008-11-08

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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 WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

View at NHTSA

07V5410002007-21-11

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.

THIS CONDITION MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER AIR BAG FROM PROPERLY DEPLOYING AND REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2008 Ford Focus has accumulated 249 NHTSA complaints over 1 years, with electrical system leading the pack. Know what to look for before you buy.

01Electrical System36

02Structure24

03Air Bags21

04Power Train15

05Latches/locks/linkages14

249 total across 1 model years (2008–2008)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Ford Focus Fuel Economy

28mpg combined

24city

33-35hwy

$1,550/yr

At 28 MPG combined, the 2008 Ford Focus delivers consistent fuel economy whether you pick from 2 different setups. Budget accordingly.

By Trim

Focus - Automatic 4-spd

28mpg

2.0L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

24 city33 hwy~$1,550/yr-1/10 Poor

Focus - Manual 5-spd

28mpg

2.0L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

24 city35 hwy~$1,550/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2008 Ford Focus

34States

26%in top 3

If you're near Florida, you're in luck: 12% of listings are there. But with 34 states represented, there's likely one near you too.

FLFlorida

18412%

MIMichigan

1198%

TXTexas

1006%

CACalifornia

946%

PAPennsylvania

906%

ILIllinois

735%

WAWashington

614%

OHOhio

543%

MOMissouri

503%

NCNorth Carolina

483%

DCWashington DC

473%

DEDelaware

463%

INIndiana

403%

AZArizona

403%

OROregon

393%

MNMinnesota

342%

COColorado

312%

GAGeorgia

292%

OKOklahoma

292%

NYNew York

252%

VAVirginia

242%

WIWisconsin

242%

UTUtah

221%

TNTennessee

221%

MD21

NJ21

KY21

MA18

NH16

ID14

NV13

NE11

IA9

NM9

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2008.

2008 Ford Focus: Questions Buyers Ask

Pricing, reliability, and ownership answers

Is the 2008 Ford Focus a good car to buy?

Here's the short version on the 2008 Ford Focus. There are 2 recalls to verify before purchase. Dig into the safety overview and pricing trends for recall-by-recall detail.

Are there recalls on the 2008 Ford Focus?

Yes, 2 recalls on record. The good news: recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Check the safety report for specifics, and always run the VIN before buying.

What's the gas mileage of the 2008 Ford Focus?

EPA rates the 2008 Ford Focus at 28 MPG combined across the board. Check the fuel economy section for the city/highway breakdown.

What are common problems with the 2008 Ford Focus?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM problems top the list with 249 total complaints filed. Not every car is affected, but it's worth asking about and inspecting. Full details in the known issues section.

How does the 2008 compare to other Ford Focus years?

Each Ford Focus model year has different pricing, recall counts, and owner satisfaction patterns. Compare all available years on the Ford Focus overview page.