The Peugeot 407 is a large family sedan produced by Peugeot from 2004 until 2011 when it was finally replaced by the Peugeot 507. The 407 did manage to leave a mark through its lifespan, particularly as many believed it was one of the best cars from its respective class which slots between your average economy “cheap” sedans and the much more expensive and advanced executive car market.
In this article, we are going to list the common problems with Peugeot 407 and tell you what to look out for. These include problems with the power steering system, electrical problems, suspension issues, engine issues, and transmission problems.
Maintenance-wise, the 407 never really asked too much which is partly why it was fairly successful. One of the gripes of owning an expensive large luxury sedan is often associated with running costs which truly become apparent once the car is out of warranty.
The Peugeot 407 managed to avoid some of these high costs due to relying on parts that are used throughout the brand’s catalog, but not too much to make it obvious. All in all, the Peugeot 407 is now a relatively popular used sedan, but its age is slowly starting to take its toll as initial models are now almost 20 years old.
Power Steering Problems
The power steering system on the 407 is known to experience a wide variety of issues such as locking itself in place or completely failing. The most common power steering system problems include the steering wheel being stiff or the steering wheel becoming way too hot to touch. Peugeot calls this system the “EPAS” system.
If you do come across these problems, the best thing you can do is replace the aforementioned EPAS system and everything should be fine. These are not the type of issues you should ignore and thankfully they don’t happen multiple times during a car’s lifespan.
Electrical Problems
Some might say that experiencing electrical problems with older Peugeot models is part of the fun, but that is simply not true as some are the exact opposite, incredibly annoying. For example, the wipers are prone to failure due to an electrical issue with the windshield wiper motors which are known to degrade rapidly.
The electric blind on the sunroof is prone to failing and refusing to either open or close. The side indicator warning light can also come on and it tends to point to certain sensor or wiring issues. Lastly, older models can experience problems with the central door locking, exterior lights failing, or problems with the audio system.
Suspension Issues
The Peugeot 407 isn’t free of suspension-related systems as well. The front wheel bearings are particularly noteworthy as they can fail a few times during the lifespan of the car. These will have to be replaced and the easiest way to tell is if you hear mechanical noises from your front wheels while driving.
The upper front suspension joints are prone to increased levels of friction which can cause them to creak. This is due to a lack of lubrication and should be dealt with immediately if you don’t want any serious problems to take place. The suspension strings can cause uneven tire wear on a bunch of these, but that is mostly due to improper long-term maintenance.
Engine Issues
The 1.6L HDi diesel engine in the 407 is known to experience certain turbocharger problems which tend to be accompanied by strange whistling noises. This typically points to a leak somewhere in the system, probably due to cracks in the intake pipe. Even though this can be repaired with industrial glue, it is best to replace it for the sake of the long term.
The EGR valve can also fail and it tends to cause your car to become sluggish, decreases your fuel efficiency, and also increased fuel odor in and around the car. To resolve the issue, the EGR valve will need to be replaced.
Transmission Issues
To top it all off, we are also going to list certain equipment-related issues as well. The 407 is available either with a manual or an automatic transmission, both of which can sometimes fail. The manual suffers from clutch-related problems due to loose wires. If the pedal becomes stiff, it is likely going to fail and is going to need replacing.
The automatic gearbox can cause the car to switch into limp mode. As it turns out, this problem typically leads to solenoid valves.
FAQ Section
Should I Buy A Peugeot 407?
If you are interested in a fairly large, comfortable, but not overly expensive family sedan, the 407 is right up your alley. It is a car that offers more than enough space for a family, but can also be used for business purposes. It may be too big for some in the city, but it feels right at home on the highway, no matter your preferences.
The downsides are that it isn’t as posh as some German executive sedans are and that the design does not scream authenticity all that much. Lastly, the Peugeot badge was never associated with sedans, to begin with.
Is The Peugeot 407 A Reliable Car?
The Peugeot 407 is indeed a very reliable car there are many people out there who managed to own these for decades without experiencing major issues. The HDi diesel models can last hundreds of thousands of miles without any problems if kept in proper shape.
All in all, the world is filled with abused Peugeot models which haven’t been looked out for properly. This often gives Peugeot a bad reputation in the reliability segment, but that is not exactly the case as Peugeot does make reliable cars (as seen with the newest Peugeot models).
Why Did Peugeot Discontinue The Peugeot 407?
Peugeot never really discontinued its large sedan, but rather renamed it into the Peugeot 507 which was succeeded by the Peugeot 508 which is still available for purchase. Peugeots naming structure is a bit different compared to most other brands as Peugeot likes to introduce new models with completely new names.