Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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. …
2008 Ford Focus does not accelerate properly or stalls randomly. On multiple occasions I was in traffic on both city streets and highways and nearly got hit more than once. I had the PCM replaced by a certified Ford mechanic in 11/14, it had a two year warranty. In 1/16 it began doing the same thing. It had to be replaced in 4/16. After replacing the PCM at a Ford dealership the second time my car stalled out on me the next day. The PCM code was the same at each location (code p00607). Both PCM's were purchased from Ford brand new. I am now being told by the Ford dealership that the following code (p0320) was obtained. They indicated the following work needs to be done in the amount of $575.00: the cost of the repairs include: tune up is $260.00 this includes spark plugs ,spark plug boots, and 2 ignition coils and the labor to install them. …
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. …
Tl* 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, [phone]) 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.
Yes lately over the past couple months I'll put my key into the ignition and go to start my car nothing happens at all no click no noise no lights come on. So I will then proceed to turn the car key back to the starting position then try to start my car again and yes nothing happens again not a peep. So then I have to proceed to turn my key back pull my key out stick my key back into the ignition kind then as the two times previously turn to start my car and it actually starts except it takes like 2 second hesitation before it actually turns over my ignition is never been tampered with my car only has 40,000 miles on it so I'm kind of curious as to why this is happening because I see somebody else had the same problem
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
Tl* 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.
My. 2008 Ford, Focus has factory installed sunshine shield on all windows. It has become impossible to see through the back windshield, especially at night, the installed shade had become foggy! My car eats tires which have to be replaced approximately every 2.5years. The heater/air-conditioner fan has shorted out 3 times, thankfully, no fire has been started! All of these complaints occur on stationary or moving vehicle. The only complaint that has been taken to the shop is the tire complaint. No problem was identified.
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.
While driving on the beltway the car stalls and shuts off and will not restart. This has happened several times and once a truck just missed me trying to coast to the emergency lane. It has been to two shops that say nothing is wrong. Today I had it towed to the dealership and I found the other complaint here on this site while looking for recalls. This is an extremely dangerous failure and these ignitions missing a screw should be recalled before someone is injured or killed.
Electrical complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Ford Focus, 23% of the model year's 250 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford Focus electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2008 Ford Focus, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Focus electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
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.