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.
Purchased used in 06/2014. My first ABS application was braking on ice, maybe sometime in Jan. 2015. ABS system did function as it should, but brake pedal would not recover to normal distance from the floor. Trying to pump brake pedal would help, but still went to the floor after resting for minute or two. For about a year after the first ABS application, the pedal would recover somewhat if the engine was turned off and extreme pressure on the brake pedal was applied.
I removed the rear brake assemblies, and found the brake shoes were like new. I made sure the phony brake adjustment was clean and operative. I then bled the brakes again for the umteenth time with no help, and pushing on the E brake adjustment on the backing plate did not help either. The only thing that helps is engaging the E brake to the third click, just making sure the car moves in Drive gear without applying any increase to the gas pedal. This causes the E brake alarm to ring constantly, which drives me nuts, but helps braking when needed. I see Ford Fusion had the same ABS issues, and I believe a recall was ordered on the Fusion but I did not see a recall on the Focus for the ABS pump issue.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Purchased used in 06/2014. My first ABS application was braking on ice, maybe sometime in Jan. 2015. ABS system did function as it should, but brake pedal would not recover to normal distance from the floor. Trying to pump brake pedal would help, but still went to the floor after resting for minute or two. For about a year after the first ABS application, the pedal would recover somewhat if the engine was turned off and extreme pressure on the brake pedal was applied.
I removed the rear brake assemblies, and found the brake shoes were like new. I made sure the phony brake adjustment was clean and operative. I then bled the brakes again for the umteenth time with no help, and pushing on the E brake adjustment on the backing plate did not help either. The only thing that helps is engaging the E brake to the third click, just making sure the car moves in Drive gear without applying any increase to the gas pedal. This causes the E brake alarm to ring constantly, which drives me nuts, but helps braking when needed. I see Ford Fusion had the same ABS issues, and I believe a recall was ordered on the Fusion but I did not see a recall on the Focus for the ABS pump issue.
- Joe S., Brighton, CO, US