Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. While attempting to close the front driver side door, the door failed to latch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the latch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 10/05/16 updated 12/06/2017
Locks freeze up. This is a 2008 Ford Focus 4 door. 6 months after purchased brand new the back doors would not open from the inside or outside. Repaired at dealer. Approximately 6 months later started freezing up again and before I could get it in to get repaired the front doors did this as well. I had gotten out of the vehicle and locked the doors then none of the doors would open up, had to climb through trunk. All four doors repaired. 6 months later doors locked up again. Sometimes they would work and sometimes they would not. Eventually the back doors would not open at all. This happened when I had a child in an infant seat in the back seat and had to roll down the windows to get child out of the back seat. This was fixed. This has happened one more time three of the doors. They where repaired and at this time I now have a back door that will no longer open. …
I went shopping with my niece last year around this time and I locked my car the 2008 2 door Ford Focus ses, I had come out with it pouring rain and I got locked out of the car only instead of the keys being inside the vehicle it just wasn't working. I ran back into wal-mart thinking it was the keypads battery but nope soon to find out it was working fine but the car didn't want to unlock, so I had to contact my boyfriend to come grab my niece until the locksmith got to me. He clicked the inside unlock button many many times and still coupling get in, we tried using the actual key itself still wouldn't work so I had to use the metal rod that's normally used for unlocking the car to climb from the trunk and get the latch threw the seats to climb all the way threw the car so about 5 hours later I finally got into my car and opened the passenger door first and ever since my outside …
Concerning a '08 Focus, 4 door se. Car is approximately 18months old and has covered 38,000 approx.. Rear passenger door failed to open. When using power locks, the door button would fail to move. On a couple of occasions (lucky) the door could be opened. Then the same happened to the other rear door. So now both rear doors were inoperable. Car was taken to the local montana Ford dealership where the problem was explained. Car was kept in shop for four days whilst bits were ordered, and problem rectified. Was charged $100 and told this wasn't covered by the warranty (although a rental car was provided for this period). In hindsight I should have checked both doors, as later I found out that the other door hadn't been fixed. Car now has to go into shop for further rectification. …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the door latches were sticking which made unable to be opened. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and they replaced the door latches but that did not remedy the issue. The contact had continuously taken the vehicle to the dealer to have the latches replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the latches and they informed the contact to lubricate the latches but that has not remedied the issue. The manufacturer also informed the contact that the gravel road can also cause the door latches to fail. The contact stated if a child is left inside the vehicle it's impossible to get in the vehicle and the only option is to break the window. The contact stated this is a safety issue and the manufacturer needs to do something about it. Updated 10/21/10. Updated 10/25/10
Tl contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. The contact stated the doors latches began sticking making unable to be opened. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer who replaced the door latch but that did not correct the failure. The contact had continuously taken the vehicle to the dealer to have the latch replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the latch and was informed to lubricate the latches, but that has not remedied the failure. The manufacturer also informed the contact that since the road was made of gravel it could also have caused the latches to fail. The contact stated that if a child was left inside the vehicle it would be impossible to get to get inside the vehicle and the only option was to break the window. The contact stated that the failure was a safety concern. Updated 10/25/10
Car door locks on 2008 Ford Focus se will not unlock with electronic power button, key fob remote, door key, pulling up on plunger or attempting to open door with handle or any combination of the above. Doors lock automatically at 5 MPH so it is impossible to avoid locking and then passengers must crawl out of another door. So far no one has been trapped, but I have handicapped friends and a pregnant daughter, what happens when they cannot get out. It seems to be temperature related and mechanical - the first time it was fixed under warranty, but now I am having to pay for the repairs even though recurring and dealer refuses to acknowledge any problem with the locks that intermittently lock and then unlock when the temperature drops at night - it is as if I need to camp out at the dealer until it happens.
The back passenger door latch failed resulting in the door not remaining closed. The door had to be held shut with a belt so that it could be safely driven. Thank god that no one was in the back seat as they might have been hurt if the door flew open while driving. The amato Ford dealer did a diagnostic test (for what we are not sure as it is a manual door no electronic locks or windows) that cost 113 dollars and then told us it would cost 385 dollars to fix. This is clearly a safety issue and Ford should fix this before someone is killed. I have been a loyal Ford customer but never again will I purchase a Ford vehicle if they care this little for their customers safety.
My father is disabled. On multiple occasions, he has been locked inside his car due to the driver's side door not opening from the inside. He has struggled to crawl out of the passenger's door. He also helps to take care of his 91 year old mother. I pray that they will both be able to get out of the car when this happens. What if this happened while a child was in the car in the heat of the summer? His vehicle is a 2008 Ford Focus s/se/ses.
I have a 2008 Ford Focus that the warranty has expired. The issue is the back passenger door will not open from inside or out causing a serious safety issue. I called the dealer and they want to charge me money just to look at it.. I don't think a door opening should be viewed in this way. There has been no accident. It just stopped opening. I loved my Focus until the initial warranty expired. Please help me.
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 2008 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the locks & latches of the 2008 Ford Focus, 10% of the model year's 250 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford Focus door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches 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 door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 25% 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.