Model year guide

2008 Ford Focus

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Ford Focus is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 300 on record.

2008 Ford Focus at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints250
Combined28 mpg
Typical price$4,250

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2008 Ford Focus recalls 2

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #08E050000 · 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #07V541000 · 21/11/2007

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE YOUR DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2008 Ford Focus common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 250 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

2008 Ford Focus safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2008 Ford Focus 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2008 Ford Focus MPG & running costs

Combined28 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway34 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,200

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2008 Ford Focus worth?

Low
$2,300
Typical price
$4,250
High
$6,200

From 299 comparable 2008 Ford Focus listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Ford Focus costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,600
Total$13,600
Per mile$0.18

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($4,250) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,631), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2008 Ford Focus trims & engines on record

Trims
SE · SES · S · SE/SEL/SES · S/SE
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 132 hp

2008 Ford Focus vehicles on record

2008 Ford Focus SE1FAHP35N08W263706 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SE1FAHP33N98W279146 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SES1FAHP35N18W132249 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SE1FAHP35N68W221282 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SE1FAHP35N78W110689 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SE1FAHP35N18W103429 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus S1FAHP34N08W183131 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SE1FAHP35N98W236133 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SES1FAHP35NX8W221298 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus S1FAHP32NX8W233875 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SE1FAHP33N28W122980 2008 Ford Focus SE1FAHP35N78W236082 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SE1FAHP35N18W288307 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SES1FAHP35N68W129797 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SE1FAHP35N28W284556 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SE1FAHP35N78W115116 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus S1FAHP32N78W170797 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SES1FAHP35N78W214048 2008 Ford Focus SES1FAHP35N38W174454 2008 Ford Focus SE1FAHP35N38W266275 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SE1FAHP35N98W165810 2008 Ford Focus SES1FAHP35N78W155339 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus S1FAHP32N38W186754 2008 Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus SES1FAHP35N68W137799

Other Ford Focus model years

2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

2008 Ford Focus — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Ford Focus have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2008 Ford Focus. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Focus?

Based on 250 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, service brakes, electrical system.

What is the 2008 Ford Focus safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2008 Ford Focus crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 5★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Ford Focus get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Ford Focus at about 28 mpg combined (24 city / 34 highway).

How much is a 2008 Ford Focus worth?

Comparable 2008 Ford Focus listings run roughly $2,300–$6,200, typically around $4,250 (from 299 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.