Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The vehicle does not exceed 50 MPH. The car would stall and jump under the hood. The car does not accelerate up hill. The car also shakes continuously and roars loudly when 40-50 MPH is reached. The wrench light comes on when driving but the wrench light also goes away when you restart the car. I took the car to mechanics who stated they could not service when wrench light is off. When I did take it to the mechanic when the wrench light was on the mechanic plugged up a system and informed me that it must just be a sensor. I avoid highways because the car does not accelerate after 40-50mph. I am concerned for my safety when operating the vehicle. I do not feel safe. I rely on my vehicle and am disappointed, afraid and uncertain what to do.
While driving down the road my throttle control/transmission light just pops on an I lose a great amount of power and acceleration. I've owned the car for about a month now an had the sensor on the throttle body which seemed to help for about 2 days then the light popped back on. It does this a lot will drive fine for about 25-30 minus at about 50-55 MPH the light pops on with about 30mph worth of power.I pull over turn the car off and on it turns the light out an all power is restored. I've looked online and everyone seems to point to the throttle body going bad. The car is in perfect shape and has a fresh all around tune up.
The mileage on the vehicle was at 83,000 miles, at the time the issues began. When the car attempted to accelerate from a stopped position, the 1-2 gears started slipping, check engine and wrench light appeared. Took it to a mechanic, diagnostics test stated that it was a "shift solenoid d closed" had my mechanic replace it, it still did not work. I spent 400 bucks to replace the d solenoid, and the car is still in the same condition! I have seen countless complaints on this issue online, why hasn't there been a recall?! Had I known the 2008 Ford Focus sucked this bad, I never would have bought it!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. After the vehicle was parked on a slight incline, it erroneously rolled forward and made contact with a parked vehicle. There was no physical damage to either of the vehicles. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Tri star motors (151 walnut st, kittanning, pa) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the failure previously occurred in 2015 and the shift cable was adjusted. The failure mileage was 60,000.
My Ford Focus only has 61,000 miles and transmission is jumping having trouble shifting and going in reverse smells like something burning. Ford needs to do a recall numerous people are having the same issues I will be calling Ford this is ridiculous I have two different types of cancer and in the hospital and dont have a income and now I dont no what I should do Ford needs to fix it
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
Transmission began to sputter on the highway. This was the 4th or 5th time the car had this problem. After getting off the highway car struggled to shift into gear. The car would free rev and kick/shake into gear.
I own a 2008 Ford Focus. In 2010 my car would jerk badly when I would press on the brakes. I took it in to Ford and they said the problem was my transmission. Luckily I still had warranty and they gave me a new one. When I got my car back from the repair shop I still noticed some jerkiness to it and told them. I was told to keep driving it and it would go away, it never did. 6 mo.later I notice the car getting worse. The gas pedal is hesitant and the gears hesitate to shift. Especially when I drive uphill and turn a corner. It also takes a long time to go up to speed. I took it for service again and they said nothing was wrong with it. Note: they did not test drive my car. How can a doctor diagnose a patient if he doesn't give him a check up? I was very disappointed and they had the nerve to charge me $200. If I have a new transmission why is this happening? …
I purchased my Ford back in May of 2014, it had 60,000 mile at the time of purchase. The car passed all inspections. I did purchased an extended warranty. For the past week I noticed the car felt as if it was idling high and not accelerating properly, on and off. On October 23, 2014, while driving at 20-25 miles per hour, the car began to shake and it felt as if it was going to be loosing power, the car never shut off, it reduced in speed and would not accelerate, soon after the wrench sign appeared. I turned off the car and restarted it, the wrench sign was gone and the car drove as it had prior to the light appearing. I took the Ford into my local Ford dealership and they diagnosed the issue as being the throttle body and needs to be replaced. I was told that my warranty does not cover the throttle body and was quoted $840.00 for parts and labor.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford edge. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into drive. The contact mentioned that he was able to shift into the reverse position and the service engine, traction and transmission light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed. The failure occurred on two separate occasions. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was not able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 98,500.
Transmission complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Ford Focus, 9% of the model year's 250 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford Focus transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 6% 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.