2008 Ford Focus Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 10%of 250 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,475miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Ford Focus, 10% of the 250 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,475 miles. 17 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10968458, filed 2017-03, 80,000 miles“My car spun and hit a guard rail on the back bumper. This then pushed the car across the road where the front end hit the side of a mountain. I hit my head on the driver side of the car during the impact and was knocked unconscious and had to be taken to the hospital. My front air bag and my side curtain airbag did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10659895, filed 2014-11, 97,000 miles“I was merging into the center lane when a car from the right side was driving in my line. I move back in my lane and the car started fish taling and went out of control. I hit the guard rail twice and the air bags did not deploy my speed was 55-60 MPH. The car was totaled because the wall of the firewall and engine was damaged. This was a 2008 Ford Focus. Help!”
NHTSA complaint #10232530, filed 2008-06, 6,300 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10652692, filed 2014-11, 150,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11191087, filed 2019-03, 156,000 milesRelated recalls
- 07V541000Nov 21, 2007Certain vehicles fail to conform to the requirements specified in federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the driver air…Covers: Ford Focus 2008, Expedition 2008, F-250 2008 +1 more
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 9 | 1% |
| 2017 | 15 | 2% |
| 2016 | 15 | 1% |
| 2015 | 18 | 2% |
| 2014 | 32 | 1% |
| 2013 | 26 | 1% |
| 2012 | 55 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 5% |
| 2010 | 12 | 4% |
| 2009 | 22 | 10% |
| 2008 | 26 | 10% |
| 2007 | 118 | 30% |
| 2006 | 40 | 20% |
| 2005 | 51 | 12% |
| 2004 | 24 | 6% |
| 2003 | 46 | 5% |
| 2002 | 72 | 8% |
| 2001 | 147 | 8% |
| 2000 | 191 | 5% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2008 Ford Focus
57 complaintsBody and structure
41 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
25 complaintsSuspension
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsTires
18 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsWheels
14 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology