2008 Ford Focus engine problems

Filed Mar 20, 2024 · Engine, Suspension · 159,625 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak and a corroded subframe. The contact was informed that the subframe was significantly thin due to corrosion and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,625. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Jan 25, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 265,767 miles · TX

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.

Filed Jan 25, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · 256,756 miles · TX

The gas pedal goes with gas and decelerates on its own. Brake booster does not function correctly. The motor shakes and looses horsepower.

Filed Aug 14, 2018 · Body, Engine · 50,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford focus. While driving various low speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, but a failure code could not be located. In the process, the mechanic discovered that the subframe was severely corroded and deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was contacted and provided the contact with case number: 15332352. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also spoke with an unknown dealer who stated that they could not assist with repairing the subframe. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Sep 20, 2017 · Engine, Seat belts · 66,000 miles · MI

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!!!!!

Filed Dec 21, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 83,000 miles · TX

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?! Had I known the 2008 ford focus sucked this bad, I never would have bought it!

Filed Dec 14, 2016 · Engine · 200,000 miles · CT

The spark plugs keep blowing out of the engine head. So far, 3 out of 4 have come out. Some more than once after repairing with a helicoil.

Filed Jul 29, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · MO

2008 ford focus se automatic transmission began hard downshifting at about 30,000 miles. Dealership stated it needed"flashing". Left it one day picked it up shifted fine. Had new battery installed approximately 2 years ago, bad shifting started again. Dealership maintains out of warranty. Car now has 58,000 miles on it and bad transmission. Engine flogs at slow speeds ever since purchased. No relief in sight. Warmer it gets outside, worse transmission behaves. These things happen all over town, the car is not choosey!!

Filed May 12, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 108,000 miles · WI

2008 ford focus does not accelerate properly or stalls randomly. On multiple occasions I was in traffic on both city streets and highways and nearly got hit more than once. I had the PCM replaced by a certified ford mechanic in 11/14, it had a two year warranty. In 1/16 it began doing the same thing. It had to be replaced in 4/16. After replacing the PCM at a ford dealership the second time my car stalled out on me the next day. The PCM code was the same at each location (code p00607). Both PCM's were purchased from ford brand new. I am now being told by the ford dealership that the following code (p0320) was obtained. They indicated the following work needs to be done in the amount of $575.00: the cost of the repairs include: tune up is $260.00 this includes spark plugs ,spark plug boots, and 2 ignition coils and the labor to install them. The cost to replaced the valve cover gasket that is leaking oil into the spark plug valleys is $315.00 this includes the parts and labor. (spark plug valleys #3 and #4 have oil in them.) my concern is that this was never a PCM issue; however, it is something else feeding misinformation to the PCM to send inaccurate codes to the entire system. The probability of three PCM's being faulty in 1 year is not likely. This vehicle has stalled in traffic on more than one occasion and is a risk to others and myself on the roads. I have grave concerns regarding the reliability and safety of the 2008 ford focus se. Ford needs to investigate and correct this safety issue.

Filed Jul 9, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 122,056 miles · MD

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.