2008 Ford Focus Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 57about this part
- Share
- 23%of 250 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Ford Focus, 23% of the 250 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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”
NHTSA complaint #11165300, filed 2019-01, 119,000 miles“My ignition switch is getting stuck and it is not allowing me to turn on the car. It is hard to turn on my vehicle. The catalytic converter is marking on my check engine light, it isn't allowing my vehicles motor to vent out.”
NHTSA complaint #11389930, filed 2021-01, 265,767 miles“When I put key in ignition most times it doesnt catch and car doesnt turn on. I have to push harder to crank car on or take key out several times and keep trying until it catches. Sometimes when I pull key out part of ignition switch pulls out a little and car vegins to chime until I push ignition switch back in. I know there was a similar recall until the 2005 model, this issue was never fixes from all the research ive done on this issue”
NHTSA complaint #11271150, filed 2019-10, 10,000 miles“My Focus door locks do not work. Not only will the electric system not lock and/or unlock the doors but it is physically impossible to lock them manually. So the car wherever it is is always unlocked. My mechanic said that parts are back ordered for months out as this is a common issue with the Focus. This is a serious safety concern when it comes to theft but more importantly predators.”
NHTSA complaint #10759309, filed 2015-08, 130,000 miles“Traveled 1152 miles from north carolina to wisconsin. Car had problems when the key was turned to start the engine each time I would stop. When I reached my destination I was unable to restart the engine. I turned the key and could roll down the windows and turn on the radio, with the key removed from the ignition switch.”
NHTSA complaint #10593556, filed 2014-05, 125,620 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing…
- 10039053Mar 1, 2011Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 49 | 6% |
| 2017 | 36 | 4% |
| 2016 | 82 | 7% |
| 2015 | 64 | 6% |
| 2014 | 245 | 9% |
| 2013 | 276 | 13% |
| 2012 | 352 | 9% |
| 2011 | 25 | 22% |
| 2010 | 43 | 15% |
| 2009 | 45 | 20% |
| 2008 | 57 | 23% |
| 2007 | 85 | 22% |
| 2006 | 47 | 23% |
| 2005 | 113 | 26% |
| 2004 | 183 | 47% |
| 2003 | 522 | 53% |
| 2002 | 277 | 30% |
| 2001 | 496 | 28% |
| 2000 | 1,343 | 36% |
| 1999 | 2 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2008 Ford Focus
41 complaintsAir bags
26 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 27, 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