2008 Ford Focus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 9%of 250 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Ford Focus, 9% of the 250 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,000 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 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”
NHTSA complaint #11164974, filed 2019-01, 61,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11331286, filed 2020-06, 150,802 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“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10649701, filed 2014-10, 68,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10039053Mar 1, 2011Ford: if there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will override acceleration.
- 10026384Oct 23, 2008Ford: mil on dtc p0128/ delayed 3-4 upshift/improved hill hold. Built on or before 4/18/08. Vehicles may exhibit a delayed 3-4 upshift/malfunction indicator lamp.
- 10024825Mar 1, 20084r27e transaxle no 3rd or 4th gear--built on or before 1/29/08.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 319 | 38% |
| 2017 | 455 | 51% |
| 2016 | 674 | 57% |
| 2015 | 559 | 55% |
| 2014 | 1,576 | 60% |
| 2013 | 1,102 | 52% |
| 2012 | 1,447 | 38% |
| 2011 | 20 | 18% |
| 2010 | 45 | 16% |
| 2009 | 39 | 17% |
| 2008 | 23 | 9% |
| 2007 | 43 | 11% |
| 2006 | 14 | 7% |
| 2005 | 47 | 11% |
| 2004 | 20 | 5% |
| 2003 | 48 | 5% |
| 2002 | 58 | 6% |
| 2001 | 90 | 5% |
| 2000 | 225 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2008 Ford Focus
57 complaintsBody and structure
41 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
25 complaintsSuspension
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 30, 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