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.
2.0
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,533 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.
Ignition cylinder fails, leaving drivers stranded. Ford Focus online forums are plastered with numerous complaints about the focus ignition lock cylinder failure, and there are youtube videos showing how to repair it with tape or rigging a bypass push button ignition switch, but FORD should be fixing these issues so people are not stranded. Issue does not happen when driving, and only happens when key is off, and attempting to crank the car. Several people have complained about 500 dollar repairs that only last a few months before issue returns, and ford is very aware, but there are no recalls for the defect. I suppose a car that wont start is not considered dangerous, in itself, but the "hacks and fixes" for the issue can potentially be, and I think this deserves extreme scrutiny, as it affects several ford year models. drivers can suddenly be stranded miles from home and stuck with expensive repair costs that can render them without any transportation at all with no means of resolution.
My ignition switch is getting stuck and it is not allowing me to turn on the car. It is hard to turn on my vehicle. The catalytic converter is marking on my check engine light, it isn't allowing my vehicles motor to vent out.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. The contact experienced difficulty inserting the key into the ignition in order to start the vehicle. The cylinder in the ignition was replaced, but the failure recurred. The ignition switch was replaced, but the failure recurred a third time. The ignition was repaired by an independent mechanic who installed a piece of cardboard in order to start the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 104,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the key failed to turn in the ignition switch. Initially, the key had to be pushed down for it to turn and start the vehicle. Currently, the contact had to unlock the steering wheel and wiggle it until the key turned and started the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but no failure code was found. The contact called first Ford (located at 292 william S canning blvd, fall river, MA 02721, (508) 730-1000) and was informed to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired due to the diagnostic and repair fees. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,845.
When I put key in ignition most times it doesnt catch and car doesnt turn on. I have to push harder to crank car on or take key out several times and keep trying until it catches. Sometimes when I pull key out part of ignition switch pulls out a little and car vegins to chime until I push ignition switch back in. I know there was a similar recall until the 2005 model, this issue was never fixes from all the research ive done on this issue
- Sinton, TX, USA
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Car tries to drive itself when my foot is on the brake ( stationary) & the malfunction almost caused a accident in the city.lights have malfunctioned since purchase. No backseat lights working.car isles randomly and will not stop until stitch to neutral and then it gives me control to drive again.please look into this issue
The ingniition switch went out for a second time. I replaced it once but decided to put a start button on my car. I can't afford to pay for an another ingniition switch. They should have been a recall on it.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. While attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer stated that they would make a note of the failure, but nothing could be done at this time. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Our car in 2017 while driving on road suddenly stopped with all the dashboard lights on. Car got stuck and we could not start engine in next few mins. After few mins everything back to normal. We started driving again. And did not have that problem again for a while. Fast forward to October 2018 it has done it 3 times now where the lights come on while driving and it dies no power at all I have to put in park and turn off. It then normally starts right up again. This stops in the middle of traffic in busy streets never know when it is going to happen. Took car to local shop. They said serious problem bit where they could not diagnose. Next went to Ford dealer. Same issue happened in front of them. They told me it could be ignition as it was off a little but that it would not start so that would not be the problem with it dying while driving. But again same problem. We called them again and this time they had similar experience while driving car back to shop. But after going there they could not reproduce problem. So they said to take car back but advised to be careful while driving as car might stop anytime
Vehicle stationary. Upon inserting the key into the ignition, the engine does not start. This occurs with several turns of the ignition. Once the key is strongly inserted or wiggles around the engine starts. Recently diagnosed as a faulty ignition cylinder. It happens daily!
Our car in Feb 2017 while driving on road suddenly stopped with all the dashboard lights on. Car got stuck and we could not start engine in next few mins. After few mins everything back to normal. We started driving again. Same problem again. Took car to local shop. They said serious problem bit where they could not diagnose. Next went to invergrove Ford dealer. Same issue happened in front of them. They did something. Gave car back. But again same problem. We called them again and this time they had similar experience while driving car back to shop. But after going there they could not reproduce problem. So they said to take car back but advised to be careful while driving as car might stop anytime
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. After inserting the key into the ignition and turning the switch, the engine would not start. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. While attempting to start the vehicle, the engine would not immediately start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact indicated that the ignition switch was previously replaced in 2012 for the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 163,000.
Have problems with passenger door and both rear doors. Door won't latch at times and power door lock won't lock at times and sometimes won't unlock or both.
Switch to start vehicle is "sticking" when it works or not starting after 15+ attempts. Very annoying & perhaps dangerous when attempting to start the car. The pop feature, I believe, is not allowing the vehicle to start or remove the key. Car less than 80K miles. Otherwise, love the car. Car hasnt been fixed or repaired yet, looking for re-calls bc seems to be a common situation.
Our 2008 Ford Focus has become increasingly harder to crank. We have been have to apply pressure while turning the key and now it won't start at all. I am now stranded at work until I can get someone to come pick me up. I have been told it is a pin inside the ignition that wears down until it can no longer make contact with the part inside to get car to crank. I believe Ford really needs to look into this because I have seen many people having this issue on this and other websites.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. While the vehicle was parked, it failed to start while the key was in the on position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 94,437. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. When the ignition key was turned to the on position, the vehicle hesitated to start without warning. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was able to start after more than fifteen attempts. The contact also stated that the failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 10/19/16 the consumer stated the ignition switch was hard to turn, when attempting to start the vehicle. Updated 10/24/16.
We have spent over 700$ trying to fix a ignition problem. Never received a recall. This is awful. It isn't fun getting caught in hot weather stuck, not being able to start your car.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Augusta, GA, USA