The Peugeot 308 is a small French family hatchback that was first introduced for the 2007 model year and has since spawned three different generations. The 308 traces its roots back to the 1960s 304 which started it all. Later came the 305, the 306, the 307, and now it’s the 308. The very latest model came out in 2021 and is now one of Peugeot’s most popular small family cars.
In this article, we are going to go over all the common problems with Peugeot 308 and tell you what you need to pay attention to while buying one used. The most common problems with the 308 include problems with the engine, the transmission, the electrics, the DPF, and the turbocharger.
In order to keep the 308 in its best possible condition, you need to maintain it whenever needed which is why you should only consider buying examples with good service records. Moreover, try to find one that hasn’t been abused and one that does not come with too many miles on the clock.
All in all, Peugeot has improved the 308 over the years which means that it is now a fairly reliable car all things considered.
Engine Problems
Peugeot 308 engine problems include problems with overheating where the cooling system needs timely refills and inspections. You will be able to tell when the engine temperatures start climbing, so be sure to get ahead of it all by doing these proactively. Other engine issues include either problem with the oil sensor or potential high oil consumption with higher mileage models.
The cooling fan can stay on for a while after turning off the engine which does have its roots in the initial cooling problems we discussed. Sometimes the car can suffer from a lack of power which is usually due to the mass airflow sensor or the car’s cruise control parameters needing a reset.
Transmission Issues
The most common Peugeot 308 transmission issue is one where the car refuses to shift into gear or is stuck in gear. The reason why this happens is due to worn-out selector arms that are attached to the gearbox, but some also believe that this is due to a lack of transmission oil. As such, be sure to always keep an eye on the car’s transmission oil levels.
Other potential transmission issues include problems with the clutch which tends to emit screeching noises while engaged. This could very well be associated with worn-out clutch plates which will have to be replaced in order to solve the issue.
Electrical Issues
Peugeot models are no strangers to electrical issues which is true of the 308 as well. These tend to include problems with the ECU which can block the car from starting up. The Peugeot Emission Filter (PEF) system tasked with keeping the car’s emissions down can also cause problems and thus prompt its associated warning light on the dashboard.
The A/C can stop working due to compressor failures or due to it simply needing to be re-flushed. The interior volumetric monitoring system can cause the alarm to sound off without any reason and a full-diagnostic inspection should be able to point this issue out as soon as it takes place.
DPF Issues
These issues are only associated with Peugeot 308 diesel models which come equipped with the diesel particulate filter which can fail and cause the car’s emissions to grow. The reason why this happens is due to the DPF cracking caused by a spacer in the exhaust valve. These are common with the 2016-2018 308 models which were recalled by Peugeot to fix the issue.
The problem here is that these recalls happened long ago and if you come across any DPF cracks in the future, you will have to pay for a new DPF system which can cost a lot of money.
Turbocharger Issues
If you notice any blue/black smoke coming from the exhaust followed by a severe lack of power or whistling noises, your 308 turbocharger is the reason why. Moreover, these issues can also often be accompanied by EGR issues which can raise the repair bill exponentially.
Replacing these two systems can sometimes cost more than what the car is worth, so be sure to keep an eye out for these if you are in the market for a used 308.
FAQ Section
Is the Peugeot 308 a good buy?
The newest 2021 Peugeot 308 is now a really well-made, fairly luxurious, technologically-advanced, and good-looking car which makes it everything the original 308 was not. As such, I’d say that the new 308 is indeed a really good buy as Peugeot has really made strides in the past few years.
The second generation (2013-2020) model is also a fairly big upgrade over the 1st generation of the 308. All in all, if you want a relatively spacious, but compact family hatchback that can do city driving and highway driving without any issues, the Peugeot 308 is a really good choice.
Does the Peugeot 308 come in EV form?
The 308 is not currently available with a fully electric powertrain, but Peugeot is soon going to launch the new e-308 which should borrow its powertrain from the popular Stellantis group. This means that the e-308 should have at least a 50kWh battery, but chances are that the battery capacity is actually going to be closer to 75kWh which would make the e-308 even more competitive.
All in all, Peugeot promised to electrify its entire lineup starting with 2023 so most next-gen Peugeot electric cars are likely going to be based on a newer EV platform, not the one we all know from the current Stellantis offering.
Is the Peugeot 308 a luxury car?
The Peugeot 308 is not a luxury car, but it does have quite a few luxury features. For starters, the interior in the new 308 is leaps and bounds over the first generation of the 308 and many deem it to be at the very top of the affordable hatchback segment.
It also comes with all the technology and safety features akin to cars that cost a lot more money and are typically badged with German premium automaker offerings.
