The Peugeot Traveller is a mid-size Peugeot van that was first introduced back in 2016 and is still in production. The Traveller shares its underpinnings with the Citroen Spacetourer, the Toyota ProAce Verso, and the Vauxhall Vivaro. In this article, we are going to mention the most common problems with Peugeot Traveller and tell you what to look out for when buying one used.
One of the more dangerous Peugeot Traveller problems is associated with the brakes which can stop working and thus cause you to end up in an accident. Other issues include the car being either sluggish or not wanting to start up at all. Heater-related problems are common on quite a few Peugeot models as is the case with the Peugeot Traveller.
Lastly, we also need to talk about electrical issues which are numerous and potentially really dangerous. The Peugeot Traveller was recalled more than 40 times which is not all that common for a single model. All cars get recalled, but the Traveller seems to be experiencing a couple of recalls every year since it came out.
Either way, most customer feedback points toward the Traveller being fairly reliable if kept in good condition over time. It is not all that expensive to maintain either as is usually the thing with most modern Peugeot models.
Problems With The Brakes
As far as recalls are concerned, a few are as dangerous as the ones associated with faulty brakes. It is said that the braking system on the Traveller can fail and thus lead to a complete loss of braking power and increase the chances of ending up in an accident. The latest brake-related recall took place in the summer of 2022, but the Traveller in general has had quite a few brake-related recalls.
As such, it’s always a good idea to pay close attention to the brakes if you are in the market for a used Peugeot Traveller. Doing a general pre-purchase inspection is beneficial for all used car purchases, especially those that have been recalled 40 times and counting.
Not Wanting To Start Problems
The Peugeot Traveller is known to experience problems with not wanting to start up which can lead to relatively expensive repairs as there are quite a few issues that can cause this. Diagnosing the correct cause can be tiresome which is why diagnosing these is best through a dealership. For starters, the battery and its associated systems can fail and the easiest way to tell is if the car has no electric power at all.
Other problems are related to either a faulty key fob, if so, just try and start the car manually. The starter motor is also a potential cause which is why inspecting it is a good idea as well. Other eventual culprits are clogged fuel filters, a defective alternator, a faulty fuel pump, a blown fuse, problems with wiring harnesses, or rodent-induced damage.
Now it’s time to dwell deeper into heater-related issues which can also be due to several reasons. The most common cause is either lack of coolant or a clogged heater core. To solve these, you need to timely refill and re-flush the coolant as it is necessary to both heat and cool the heater. A clogged heater core can be either cleaned or it will have to be replaced if it is excessively corroded or damaged.
The water pump and the thermostat can also fail due to clogging and general wear and tear, so it’s a good idea to check these as well. Overall, heater systems tend to be an issue on many Peugeot models and the Traveller is pretty much the same.
Electrical Problems
Electrical problems and French cars are a match made in heaven, but some electrical issues on the Traveller are really dangerous. First of all, some wiring in the rear window area can overheat or short circuit and can lead to a fire. This was once a reason why some of these were recalled. The ESP is prone to issues, and, no surprise, it can also lead to a fire.
Other electrical issues are problems with the infotainment system, A/C problems, and problems with the power locks. Thankfully, these aren’t too expensive or difficult to repair but can repeat themselves over and over again.
FAQ Section
Is the Peugeot Traveller safe?
The Peugeot Traveller is a 5-star safety-rated car which means that safety is not an issue with the Traveller. It has class-leading child occupant protection results with 91% while adult occupant protection is pretty much the same. Pedestrian safety is not all that good with a 64% safety rating which is not near the top of the category.
It also comes with all the necessary active safety systems such as blind spot assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot assist, automatic braking, and everything else you’d expect from a 21st-century car.
Is the Peugeot Traveller an MPV or a van?
Depending on where you look, you’ll find that some people deem the Traveller to be a van while others believe it is an MPV. There are actually two Traveller models globally, the normal/smaller one and the Traveller XL which is a van. In reality, the Traveller is a van as it does not share an MPV design language.
An MPV or a multi-purpose vehicle is tailored towards family use more while a van is more tailored towards the business side of things. Sure, there are people who use vans to transport families, but not nearly in the same amount. On the other hand, MPVs are often regarded as people carriers which is often the usage scenario with the Traveller.
Does the Peugeot Traveller come in electric form?
Yes, the Peugeot Traveller is indeed one of a very few fully electric vans while the other ones are the aforementioned cars that share the same platform as the Traveller. The thing is that Stellantis, a company that owns Vauxhall, Peugeot, and Citreon, and has a contract in place to supply Toyota ProAce Verso electrical powertrains, uses the same platform on which all of these are built.
