Reliability and common problems · Peugeot
Peugeot 208 reliability and common problems
5 sourced problems for cars built from 2012, generation by generation — what Peugeot has acknowledged kept apart from what the motoring press reports. Choose the year, fuel and engine size to see the ones for a particular car.
Free · no signup · researched from manufacturer statements and motoring publications
How reliable is the Peugeot 208? What the evidence shows
We don't give the 208 a reliability score — no public source measures breakdowns, warranty claims or repair costs across every model, so a single number would be invented. This is what we can source for cars built from 2012.
- Acknowledged by Peugeot
- 0
- Warranty extensions, goodwill schemes and service actions in our research
- Reported by the press
- 5
- Each by two or more independent publishers
By generation
- 208 Mk2 (P21, incl. e-208) (2019 on)0 acknowledged · 2 reported
- 208 Mk1 (A9) (2012–2019)0 acknowledged · 4 reported
Newer generations have had less time on the road for problems to show, so a short list is not a clean bill of health.
Where these come from: our research is built from manufacturer statements and motoring publications, most of them British. A warranty extension or goodwill scheme described here may have been offered in another country only — ask a dealer here whether it applies to your car.
208 Mk2 (P21, incl. e-208) (2019 on)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
- Reported by 2 publishersHybrid & electric drive
e-208: electrical faults, often the 12V battery
Electrical problems are the main complaint about the e-208 in owner surveys. Warning lights and infotainment glitches come up, and the ordinary 12-volt battery that powers the car's electronics is often the cause. Charging faults and knocking suspension have also been reported.
Applies to: Electric e-208 (2019 on)
Electric versions only.
- Reported by 2 publishersEngine
If it has the PSA 1.6 THP turbo petrol (EP6 'Prince' family): 1.6 THP turbo petrol: misfires from coils and the fuel pump
Misfires and a stuttering engine are a known problem on the 1.6 THP turbo petrol. The usual culprits are the ignition coils (with spark plugs that wear quickly on this engine) and the high-pressure fuel pump, which costs several hundred pounds to replace. Parkers says early engines are more fragile.
Applies to: Peugeot 208 and 308, Peugeot RCZ, and Citroën / DS DS3 with the 1.6 THP turbo petrol (EP6 'Prince' family), built 2012–2021
Picking 1.6 on the engine size covers both the THP turbo and the non-turbo VTi, which share 1,598cc; these reports are about the THP turbo.
208 Mk1 (A9) (2012–2019)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
- Reported by 3 publishersScreen, sat-nav & audio
Touchscreen infotainment freezes or stops working
The 208's touchscreen, which also runs the radio, media and sat-nav, has a reputation for freezing or failing altogether. Turning it off and on, or a software update, sometimes cures it; some owners have needed a whole new unit, which is not cheap.
Applies to: 208 Mk1 (2012–2019) with the touchscreen
Only cars with the touchscreen infotainment are affected; the make, model and year can't tell us the trim.
- Reported by 3 publishersElectrics
Electrical glitches, especially switches and the screen
Electrical faults were the most common complaint about the first 208 in owner surveys, centred on the infotainment system and the switches. Before buying, try every electrical function and check for warning lights on the dashboard.
Applies to: 208 Mk1 (2012–2019)
- Reported by 2 publishersTiming belt / chain
If it has the PSA/BMW 1.6 THP / VTi petrol (EP6 'Prince'): 1.6 petrol ('Prince'): timing chain stretch and oil use
The 1.6 THP turbo and VTi petrol, developed with BMW and also used by MINI, has weak timing chain tensioners, and the chain can stretch and in the worst case fail. Listen for a rattle at idle or from cold, and a stutter when accelerating. Earlier engines can also burn oil, so check the level and the service history.
Applies to: Peugeot, Citroën and DS with the 1.6 THP or VTi petrol (EP6 'Prince' family), mainly engines built before 2014
The engine size alone doesn't tell us whether a 1.6 petrol is the THP turbo or the non-turbo VTi; Parkers puts both in the same 'Prince' engine family.
- Reported by 2 publishersEngine
If it has the PSA 1.6 THP turbo petrol (EP6 'Prince' family): 1.6 THP turbo petrol: misfires from coils and the fuel pump
Misfires and a stuttering engine are a known problem on the 1.6 THP turbo petrol. The usual culprits are the ignition coils (with spark plugs that wear quickly on this engine) and the high-pressure fuel pump, which costs several hundred pounds to replace. Parkers says early engines are more fragile.
Applies to: Peugeot 208 and 308, Peugeot RCZ, and Citroën / DS DS3 with the 1.6 THP turbo petrol (EP6 'Prince' family), built 2012–2021
Picking 1.6 on the engine size covers both the THP turbo and the non-turbo VTi, which share 1,598cc; these reports are about the THP turbo.
These describe the model, not one car. Plenty of cars never have the problems their model is known for. Every problem links to its sources; a reported problem needs two independent publishers before we list it.
Recalls aren't listed here. A franchised dealer can tell you from the VIN whether a recall is open on a particular car.
Common questions
Is the Peugeot 208 reliable?
We don't score reliability: no public source records breakdowns, warranty claims or repair costs across every model, so a single rating would be guesswork. What we hold for Peugeot 208 cars built from 2012: 0 problems Peugeot has acknowledged, through a warranty extension, goodwill scheme or service action, and 5 reported by at least two independent publishers — listed above by generation, each with its sources. Which matter depends on the generation and engine, and on whether the work has been done, which a service history check shows.
What are the most common Peugeot 208 problems?
For cars built from 2012, the problems at least two independent publishers report include: e-208: electrical faults, often the 12V battery; 1.6 THP turbo petrol: misfires from coils and the fuel pump; Touchscreen infotainment freezes or stops working; Electrical glitches, especially switches and the screen; 1.6 petrol ('Prince'): timing chain stretch and oil use. Which apply depends on the generation and engine — they are listed generation by generation above, each with its sources.
Has Peugeot acknowledged problems with the 208?
We haven't found a warranty extension, goodwill scheme or service action in which Peugeot acknowledged a problem on this model. The reported problems above come from the motoring press.
Does every 208 have these problems?
No. These describe the model; many cars never have them, and a well-maintained car is less likely to. Whether a known problem was fixed is what a service history shows: our check returns the manufacturer's dealer records by VIN, and there's no charge if we find nothing.
Has this car had the work done?
A known problem matters far less on a car whose dealer records show it was fixed. A service history check returns the manufacturer's own dealership records for a specific car, found by its VIN — what was done, when and at what mileage — and there's no charge if we find nothing.
Check a car's service history