FORD: ONE SOME 2008-2010 FOCUS VEHICLES THERE MAY BE AN INOPERABLE SPEED CONTROL.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Ford Focus cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2008 Ford Focus have filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 70,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Focus | 35 |
| 2006 Focus | 20 |
| 2007 Focus | 16 |
| 2008 Focus (this page) | 9 |
| 2009 Focus | 18 |
| 2010 Focus | 32 |
| 2011 Focus | 4 |
| 2012 Focus | 53 |
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 9 cruise control complaints filed for the 2008 Ford Focus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford focus. The contact stated that while at traveling at unknown speeds, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own, and crashed into a tree. The contact sustained lacerations to the face. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000. Updated 02/11/14*lj
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford focus. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder, shut off and then restarted, as it began to function normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the throttle body failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2008 Ford Focus?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2008 Ford Focus?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 64,000 and 88,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 64,000; a quarter make it past 88,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Ford/Focus.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.