Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchased a 2008 Ford Focus from my father (now deceased). The airbag warning light has been on. When I had the OBD read, it came back with code # B2294 indicating a fault in a control module. My research makes me believe this vehicle should be included in NHTSA# 07V541000 (Ford # 07C19); however, both NHTSA and Ford say it isn't. I would like to find out why this particular vehicle was excluded and is there something I can do at this point to have it included.
I was driving a Ford Focus 2008 at approximately 15-20 MPH in traffic and drove directly into the back of another vehicle without breaking. The other vehicle, a Lexus sedan was stopped. The Ford Focus was up to date on all safety inspections and airbags were set on. In spite of this, no airbags deployed and I sustained a head injury from the collision.
My vehicle was in a head on collision in which the air bags failed to deploy on the driver side and passenger side, which in turn caused significant injury to both parties occupying the vehicle at the time of the accident.
I was in an accident where I rear ended a truck on the highway going approximately 50 MPH. There was an accident to the right of me on the highway shoulder and I looked to my right as I saw a guy get out of his car. I swerved and looked forward. It was at that time that I saw a truck completely stopped in front of me. I hit the truck and did complete damage to my car. I am concerned because there was extreme damage to my vehicle and my driver's airbag did not deploy. I had no passengers in the car, no other airbag deployed. My state police trooper who was on the scene said to file a complaint because my airbags most definitely should have deployed. I suffered some injuries and I am looking into this matter further. I just hope in the mean time this doesn't happen to someone else as it could be fatal for them.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. While driving 45 MPH, the consumers son lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail and rolled once. The vehicle came to rest in a creek. The air bags failed to deploy. The contacts son suffered injuries to the lower back and ankle. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 17,000. Updated 6/4/09 the consumer stated this was not the first accident where the air bags did not deploy. Updated 06/09/09. The consumer received a letter from Ford stating the impact was not severe enough to warrant air bad deployment. Updated 06/02/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. While driving 55 MPH, the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the driver's side air bag module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact spoke with lithia Ford of klamath falls (2833 washburn way, klamath falls, or 97603) who stated that there was no TSB or recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V541000 (air bags). The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
Bbought the car from private party and brought it to a shop to be looked over the bad a mancanic tool scan the car passenger air bags are not responding to the computer don't know how many other cars have this issue but its not even pulling a airbag indicator light also it failed a test the mancanic ran it said passenger air bag not responding and in the event of a car accident all air bags May not go off this is a huge safety concern and also for the safety of my passengers and my self. Air bag light still come on when the car runs a equipment check. And goes away after the check is done.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. The contact stated as she was driving someone rear ended her vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt did not hugged her tight enough. The contact hit her head on the steering wheel and was driven to the hospital because she received a cut above her eye and had to have stitches. There is a police report if needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for repair. The contact stated she informed the dealer but had not called the Ford manufacturer. The failure mileage was 25,000. Updated 03/18/10 updated 05/05/10.
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.
I was rear ended while stopped at a red light in my 2008 Ford Focus. It was a very high speed impact (est. 60-70 MPH) that threw me into the car in front of me. My car was totaled and the air bags never deployed. I had a certified mechanic record the computer and look at the damages. He stated that the air bags should have deployed from the damages to the front sensor as well as the side impact sensor. I am still dealing with my injuries a year and a half later. Two vertebrae in my back were crushed.
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace your driver air bag module free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Airbag complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Ford Focus, 10% of the model year's 250 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford Focus airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-541 (inflator module, Nov 21, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Focus airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 0 fires and 14 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.