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EnginePart report

2008 Ford Focus Engine Problems

Complaints
14about this part
Share
6%of 250 total for the year
Median mileage
83,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Ford Focus, 6% of the 250 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“I have an 2008 Ford Focus se I bought in 2016 and have had problems with passenger seat belt not locking in place, doors not locking/unlocking passenger side, and the biggest problem I have experienced twice is the engine revvening up and making strange noises like it is going to blow up the car does not increase with speed but engine revs and when braking the rev will speed up then decrease to break. Please recall before I get into an accident!!!!!”

NHTSA complaint #11024677, filed 2017-09, 66,000 miles

“The ignition switch,when I turn the key to the on position it sometimes sticks in this position and sticks it does this every other time when I turn on the vehicle it feels the key is going to get stuck in the starting position it don't spring back the way it should.”

NHTSA complaint #10610186, filed 2014-07, 80,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10733066, filed 2015-07, 122,056 miles

“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?! …”

NHTSA complaint #10936773, filed 2016-12, 83,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201823228%
201723026%
201623420%
201517317%
201444217%
201334416%
201247513%
201133%
20104215%
2009167%
2008146%
200762%
200621%
2005112%
2004133%
2003182%
2002162%
2001322%
2000160%

Other parts of the 2008 Ford Focus

Electrical system
57 complaints
Body and structure
41 complaints
Air bags
26 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
25 complaints
Suspension
23 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
23 complaints
Other or unknown
18 complaints
Tires
18 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Wheels
14 complaints
Brakes
13 complaints
Steering
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