Peugeot 208: Common Problems and Solutions (2024)

AC Grinding

Problem:

A few seconds after turning on the aircon unit, you can hear a grinding noise.

Models affected:

Solution:

In some cases, this is down to a lack of oil. Try filling up your oil levels first. If that doesn't change the sound, then this is probably going to be a faulty aircon compressor. Buy a replacement from our parts list and swap it over.

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Part you need

Aircon Compressor

Part required

Aircon Compressor

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Bonnet latch problems

Problem:

On some of the 208's on the market, there has been a failure with the bonnet catch, which results in the bonnet not opening or closing properly. This is caused by the latch not being secured correctly.

Models affected:

Solution:

This problem was subject to a recall, so take the car to a Peugeot dealer, who will fix it free of charge.

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Touch screen failure

Problem:

Many other Peugeot 208 owners have come across problems with the touch screen not working, as it should on this car.

Models affected:

Solution:

The only way to resolve this issue, is to take it to a Peugeot dealer and have them update the software.

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Reduced braking performance

Problem:

If you have noticed that you are having a problem with the brakes, and are having to push harder on the brake pedal, this could be due to there being air in the braking system. There is a chance that the brakes were not bled properly at manufacture.

Models affected:

Solution:

This problem was subject to a recall, which means that you can take it to a Peugeot dealer, who will fix the issue free of charge.

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Display screen problem

Problem:

It has been known on the 208, for the display screen to show the Peugeot loading screen, which means you can't play music or see your speed (MPG). This is due to a software fault.

Models affected:

Solution:

You will need to take your car into a Peugeot garage, where they should do the software upgrade for free.

Gearbox problems

Problem:

You may have noticed that your car is having trouble engaging into reverse gear. This is a common problem on these cars. This is caused by a lack of synchromesh.

Models affected:

Solution:

This problem should ease off once the car has done a few more miles, but it won't go completely as it seems to be a Peugeot design's flaw. Lifting your foot off the clutch and re-engaging sometimes helps.

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Erratic Brake Efficiency

Problem:

The brake power on your 208 is erratic. Sometimes it works correctly, while at other times, the braking distance is much longer.

Models affected:

Solution:

There's a good chance that your brake vacuum pump is faulty. This was a common enough issue on 208s built between 2013 and 2017 that Peugeot announced a recall. In most cases where you have erratic brake efficiency, the material that attaches the brake vacuum pump to the timing belt has become detached. This will need to be replaced, and in some cases, you will also have to replace the vacuum pump itself and the timing belt, which you can have delivered if you order from us.

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Faulty Steering Alignment

Problem:

The steering wheel is not consistent with the direction being travelled in.

Models affected:

Solution:

In most cases, this will be a simple matter of the steering geometry being incorrectly calibrated. This was a factory error affecting 208s built between 2019 and 2020, so in most cases, Peugeot will repair it for free. However, if they don't, or you'd rather do the work yourself, then it's a relatively simple matter of adjusting the alignment. However, if the car has been driven a lot of miles, you may also find that the front tyres are more worn than they should, and you should order some today from us and then replace them when they get delivered.

Difficulty level

Part you need

Tyres

Part required

Tyres

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Rear Wheel Arch Vibrates

Problem:

When in motion, the front wheel arch vibrates excessively.

Models affected:

Solution:

This is a simple fix. It's caused by the front wheel arch trim not conforming to the right specifications. You can solve this problem yourself by simply adding an extra screw to the bottom of the arch. If you don't want to do this yourself, a Peugeot dealer may offer to do it for free.

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Reading these common Peugeot 208 problemsshould help you find out what is wrong with your Peugeot 208– or just what to look out for in the future. We’ll also give suggestionson what to do if your Peugeot 208 does have one of theseissues.

Peugeot 208: Common Problems and Solutions (2024)

FAQs

What is the common fault with the Peugeot 208? ›

Bonnet latch problems

On some of the 208's on the market, there has been a failure with the bonnet catch, which results in the bonnet not opening or closing properly. This is caused by the latch not being secured correctly.

Find Out More ›

Are Peugeot 208 expensive to fix? ›

The 208 isn't too pricey to service, even at a main dealer, and once it hits three years old it'll qualify for Peugeot's fixed price servicing, which starts at £115 for the most basic service. And if your 208 does go wrong, parts aren't too expensive, so it should be reasonably cheap to repair.

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Is the Peugeot 208 engine reliable? ›

Is a used Peugeot 208 hatchback reliable? Peugeot as a manufacturer finished a fairly disappointing 21st place out of 32 in the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey. Its score was 90.5%.

How many miles does a Peugeot 208 last? ›

What is Peugeot 208 lifespan? The estimated lifespan of a Peugeot 208 is 134,000mi, before reaching the life expectancy upper limit. Fuel type is a major factor when looking into a vehicles lifespan/life expectancy.

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How long do Peugeot engines last? ›

Peugeot engines have always been dependable. As long as you take good care of the engine, you can expect it to last above the 100,000 miles mark. Carefully looked after and routinely-serviced Peugeot engines can easily extend across the 150K mile mark, and well over the 15-year expected lifespan.

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Is A Peugeot 208 A Good car? ›

Is the Peugeot 208 a good car? Yes – in fact, the 208 is one of the best small cars out there, standing out for ride comfort, interior quality and refinement. How much is a Peugeot 208 in the UK? As a cash purchase, the 208 will set you back less than an Audi A1 or VW Polo but slightly more than a Skoda Fabia.

Is Peugeot A Good car to buy? ›

Now, everything is much different, and Peugeot – under the Stellantis umbrella – is strong and producing better cars than ever before. Owning a used Peugeot today is the same as owning a used Volkswagen – it's dependable, stylish, well-built and very reliable.

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Does Peugeot 208 hold value? ›

The Peugeot 208 1.0 VTi Access is one of the country's best depreciating models and when stacked up against the competition, it beats it on value, running costs, fuel economy and above all style.

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How often should a Peugeot 208 be serviced? ›

Servicing your Peugeot 208

Importantly, having regular services stops small issues compounding into large, costly repairs, and prolong the life of your Peugeot. For all drivers, we recommend an annual Full Service every 12 months or 12,000 miles, as the perfect form of annual maintenance.

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Does a Peugeot 208 have a timing belt or chain? ›

Maintenance advice and tips for Peugeot 208

In general, you need to change the timing belt kit of your 208 every five years or every 74.500 miles.

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Do Peugeot use BMW engines? ›

The two groups started an engine cooperation deal in December 2004 and make a 1.6-litre petrol engine for the Peugeot 207 and BMW's Mini Cooper and Cooper S cars. The 1.4-litre engine will be made at a PSA plant in Douvrin, northwest France, and production is planned to reach 1 million units per year.

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What car is equivalent to a Peugeot 208? ›

Alternatives to Peugeot 208: Renault Clio

The basic trim level Renault Clio is named the Expression and comes in at £11,145 on-the-road (208 is priced at £11,695). Whilst the saving might be clear for some, the year-on-year fuel economy is likely to save you thousands in the long run.

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How many miles can a Peugeot 208 do on a full tank? ›

Specs Overview

Power (bhp)	80 bhp
Acceleration 0-60 mph	11.8 secs
Miles per tank	682 miles
Insurance group get an insurance quote?	10
Road tax	£20 per year

1 more row

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Is a Peugeot 208 fuel efficient? ›

If you don't want to switch over to hybrid power but still want a fuel-efficient Peugeot, the 208 model is a great small option. Diesel engines can achieve up to 73.6mpg, while petrol options can achieve up to 56.7mpg. There's also a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes.

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Where is the Peugeot 208 made? ›

In November 2011, the initial 208 models were three-door hatchbacks produced at Peugeot's new plant in Trnava, Slovakia. As five-door hatchbacks became available in June 2012, production also started at Peugeot's French plants located in Mulhouse and Poissy.