2008 Ford Focus Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 10%of 250 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,488miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2008 Ford Focus, 10% of the 250 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,488 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10618892, filed 2014-08, 92,314 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10358531, filed 2010-09, 49,500 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10649375, filed 2014-10, 95,000 miles“I been locked in my car 2x. I have a Ford Focus 2008. Where the door latches dust builds up to were I cant get out. I went to dealership they never seen this in 18 yrs. I have to spray computer cleaner/brake cleaner which I shouldn't have to.”
NHTSA complaint #10325544, filed 2010-04, 23,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10397190, filed 2011-04, 9,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 2 | 0% |
| 2015 | 8 | 1% |
| 2014 | 47 | 2% |
| 2013 | 53 | 3% |
| 2012 | 134 | 4% |
| 2011 | 17 | 15% |
| 2010 | 31 | 11% |
| 2009 | 18 | 8% |
| 2008 | 25 | 10% |
| 2007 | 30 | 8% |
| 2006 | 14 | 7% |
| 2005 | 50 | 11% |
| 2004 | 28 | 7% |
| 2003 | 82 | 8% |
| 2002 | 45 | 5% |
| 2001 | 66 | 4% |
| 2000 | 201 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2008 Ford Focus
57 complaintsBody and structure
41 complaintsAir bags
26 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