Peugeot 308 Problems: 8 Common Faults SA Owners Face

The Peugeot 308 is one of those cars that drives well, looks good, and has two of the most-criticised engines on the SA used market: the 1.6 THP "Prince" petrol (jointly developed with BMW Mini, fitted to T7 / 2008-2013 308s) and the 1.2 PureTech wet-belt (T9 / 2014-2021). Combined, they account for over half of the enquiries we field across our 308 model range. UK reviews paint the 308 as polarising — at 2.5/5 reliability on aggregate, it isn't a disaster, but it is a car where service history is everything. This guide is the eight faults we see most often in SA, with rand pricing and the cost of getting the diagnosis wrong.

1. 1.6 THP Timing Chain Stretch

If you own a T7 308 (2008-2013) with the 1.6 THP or 1.6 VTi, the timing chain is the headline mechanical risk [1][2]. The Prince engine (EP6CDT / EP6DT / N14) is shared with BMW Mini, and Peugeot has revised the chain and tensioner at least four times over the production run to fix it. The fault is now well-documented enough that any used T7 308 buyer should treat the chain as a wear item, not a lifetime part.

Symptoms

• Diesel-like rattle from the passenger-side engine bay on cold start — lasts a few seconds, gets longer with age
• Engine management light with P0016 or P0017 cam-crank correlation codes
• Rough idle, misfire and loss of power
• Difficulty starting hot
• In late-stage failure the chain skips teeth and bends valves — engine destroyed

Causes

• Original chain material too soft and the chain too narrow for the load — premature stretch [3]
• Hydraulic tensioner starved of oil because of long service intervals
• Tensioner bolt that backs off and dumps oil pressure
• Worn guide rails letting the chain whip
• Owners running cheap non-PSA-spec oil or skipping the 10,000-15,000 km change interval the engine actually needs [1][3]

Solution

• Replace the chain, both guides, the tensioner (revised post-2011 part), the sprockets and the VVT solenoids as one job
• Flush the sump and renew the oil-pump pickup at the same time
• Use only PSA B71 2294 5W-30 oil and shorten intervals to 10,000 km
• Listen for cold-start rattle on any used T7 308 before buying — if it lasts more than two seconds, walk away
• For wider chain-vs-belt context see our 1.6 THP Prince timing chain guide

DIY Difficulty & Cost in SA

Specialist job only — engine-out or sub-frame drop with Peugeot timing tools, 10-14 hours labour. Parts: R6,500 - R12,000 for a full revised kit. Workshop fitted: R12,500 - R28,000. If valves are already bent: R55,000 - R90,000 for a head rebuild on top.

Sources

1. Peugeot Forums — 308 1.6 VTi Prince timing chain and revised tensioner threads [1][2]
2. CarChecker Pro — 308 T9 1.6 THP reliability summary [3]
3. JustAnswer — common 308 1.6 THP engine problems Q&A [4]

2. 1.2 PureTech Wet Belt Failure

T9 308s (2014-2021) with the 1.2 PureTech (EB2DT / EB2DTS / EB2ADT) carry the same wet-belt problem as their 208 and 2008 siblings — and Peugeot's 2021 UK campaign JZR covered exactly these engines built between March 2013 and April 2017 [5][6]. The belt runs submerged in engine oil, breaks down chemically over time, and sheds particles into the oil-pump pickup — at which point oil pressure collapses and the engine writes itself off.

Symptoms

• Whining or ticking noise from the cam cover at idle
• Oil-pressure warning light
• Fine black rubbery particles found on the dipstick and inside the oil filler cap
• Sudden total belt failure — usually at start-up — causing valves and pistons to collide
• Catastrophic engine failure with no prior warning in many cases [5]

Causes

• Belt runs submerged in engine oil; short urban trips cause fuel dilution and the resulting mixture chemically attacks the belt rubber
• Shed belt particles clog the oil-pump pickup mesh and starve the engine of pressure [6]
• Original Peugeot service interval was too long (up to 20,000 km / 2 years) — now revised to 100,000 km / 6 years across the affected engines [7]

Solution

• Replace wet belt, water pump, oil-pump pickup strainer, oil and filter as a single job
• Use only PSA B71 2312 spec oil
• SA city cars should shorten to 80,000 km / 5 years intervals
• After belt failure, the engine itself is almost always uneconomic to repair — used replacement EB2 unit is the usual path
• Full breakdown of the engine and replacement intervals on our 1.2 PureTech wet belt guide

DIY Difficulty & Cost in SA

Specialist job — 8-12 hours. Parts: R6,500 - R12,000 OEM kit. Workshop fitted clean: R18,000 - R28,000. After failure: R45,000 - R75,000 for a used engine swap.

Sources

1. Peugeot Forums — PureTech 1.2 timing belt crumbled and cracks threads [5]
2. Honest John — Peugeot 308 SW 1.2 PureTech broken belt forum post [6]
3. Wheelbase Garage — 1.2 PureTech wet timing belt full guide [7]

3. 1.6 THP Carbon Build-Up

The same Prince engine that suffers chain stretch also suffers carbon coking on the intake valves [8][9]. The fuel never washes the back of the intake valves on this direct-injection engine, and PCV oil mist bakes onto the hot valves. By 60,000-100,000 km the deposits choke airflow and the symptoms cascade.

Symptoms

• Misfire on cold start that smooths out as the engine warms
• Hesitation and flat spot under light throttle from 50,000 km onwards
• Engine fault light with P030x cylinder-specific misfire codes
• Rough idle and elevated fuel consumption
• Failed emissions test

Causes

• Direct-injection design — fuel never reaches the back of intake valves [8]
• PCV / breather system vents oil mist into the intake which bakes onto the hot valve
• Stretched timing chain (problem 1) worsens cam timing and increases reversion of combustion gases
• Coil-on-plug units — known weakness on the THP, often only one coil at a time

Solution

• Walnut-blast media-clean the intake valves with the manifold off — chemical sprays do not work once carbon is baked on [9]
• Replace all four coil packs and plugs as a set with NGK or Bosch OE spec
• Avoid short trips; run an upper-cylinder cleaner every 10,000 km
• PSA TSB recommends walnut clean every 80,000-100,000 km on this engine

DIY Difficulty & Cost in SA

Workshop job — 4-6 hours. Parts: R1,500 - R3,500 coils and plugs. Workshop walnut clean: R3,500 - R9,000. Combined with chain work, schedule both at the same job to save labour.

Sources

1. Peugeot Forums — carbon build-up and 1.6 THP mystery threads [8]
2. eTuners — Peugeot/Citroën 1.6 THP intake valves carbon clean [9]
3. JustAnswer — common 308 1.6 THP engine problems [4]

4. BlueHDi DPF / AdBlue Faults

Every diesel 308 sold in SA from 2008 onwards has either a DPF, an Eolys additive tank or a full SCR / AdBlue system — and all of them fail on cars used for short urban trips [10][11]. The 308 SW estate is particularly affected because owners tend to use it as a school-run / shops car.

Symptoms

• "Risk of particle filter blocking" or "AdBlue tank empty — N km to no-start" messages on the dashboard
• Anti-pollution fault light, limp mode (typically 65-80 km/h max)
• Failed regeneration warnings and excessive engine fan running after shutdown
• AdBlue level reads empty even after a fill
• Eolys (FAP) additive low warning on pre-BlueHDi cars

Causes

• Short trips that never let the DPF reach regen temperature (~600 °C) — soot loading exceeds 95% [10]
• Failed AdBlue injector or NOx sensor
• Crystallised AdBlue blocking the dosing line
• Eolys / FAP additive tank empty (pre-BlueHDi) — supposed to be topped up at service but rarely is

Solution

• Force a regen with Diagbox / Lexia plus a 30-minute motorway run at 3,000+ rpm
• If soot is over 100% replace or chemically clean the DPF (ultrasonic)
• Diagnose AdBlue side properly — most "tank empty" messages are an injector or NOx sensor, not actually low fluid
• Top up Eolys / FAP additive at every major service on pre-2014 HDi
• For wider context see our 1.6 HDi DPF and EGR guide

DIY Difficulty & Cost in SA

Forced regen plus motorway run is free if you have a Diagbox-capable specialist. Parts: NOx sensor R6,500 - R12,000. AdBlue injector R3,500 - R8,500. DPF clean R4,500 - R12,000. New DPF R28,000 - R55,000.

Sources

1. Peugeot Forums — risk of particle filter clogging and DPF/AdBlue threads [10]
2. Peugeot Forums — BlueHDi AdBlue thread [11]
3. AutoInsider — Peugeot 308 DPF physical clean problems [12]

5. BSI Electrical Failures

The BSI (Built-in Systems Interface) is the central body computer on every 308, and it sits in the passenger footwell — directly under the path that water takes when the scuttle drains block [13][14]. Once water reaches the BSI, the fault pattern is unmistakable: cascading dash warnings, immobiliser faults, random central locking, and a drained battery in the morning.

Symptoms

• Multiple dashboard warning lights coming on at once for no reason
• Random central-locking, indicator and wiper activity
• No-start / immobiliser fault F527
• Drained battery overnight (parasitic draw)
• Flickering interior lights, dead infotainment, gearbox in limp mode

Causes

• Water ingress under the passenger-side footwell — blocked scuttle drains, pollen filter housing leak [13]
• Cracked solder joints on the internal relays after years of thermal cycling
• Voltage spikes from a failing alternator regulator or a jump-start gone wrong
• Disconnecting the battery while the BSI is awake — corrupts the module

Solution

• Fix the water ingress first — unblock the scuttle drains and reseal the pollen-filter housing
• Pull the BSI, clean the connector pins, dry the unit
• Specialist re-solder of failed relay legs is cheaper than replacement
• Never disconnect the battery without first locking the car and waiting 5 minutes for the BSI to sleep
• For the full reset procedure see our BSI water ingress guide

DIY Difficulty & Cost in SA

Scuttle drain cleaning is DIY easy. BSI removal and repair is specialist. Parts: BSI from breakers R3,500 - R8,500. Specialist BSI re-solder R2,500 - R4,500. New coded BSI R12,000 - R18,000.

Sources

1. Peugeot Forums — 308 CC electrical issues and BSI fault threads [13][14]
2. ECU Testing — common Peugeot ECU faults [15]
3. French Car Forum — 308 multiple faults thread [16]

6. Touchscreen Infotainment Resets

T9 308 owners report the centre touchscreen rebooting every few minutes while driving, dropping CarPlay, glitching the reverse camera, and sometimes going completely black [17][18]. Peugeot has issued multiple TSBs covering firmware reflash, and a refurbished NAC unit is the late-stage cure.

Symptoms

• Screen goes black and reboots every 5-15 minutes while driving
• Touch input ignored — radio and HVAC controls routed through the screen become unusable
• Cluster flicker on T9 "mini i-Cockpit"
• Bluetooth / Apple CarPlay / Mirrorlink drops
• Reverse-camera image stutters or never appears

Causes

• Software / firmware bug — addressed by Peugeot via dealer-only update under TSB [17]
• Failing 12V auxiliary battery causing voltage dips during stop-start [18]
• Loose ribbon connector behind the screen on early T9 units
• Failed NAC / RCC head unit in late-stage failure

Solution

• Hard reset — hold the phone 'piano key' button for 10 seconds, then disconnect the 12V battery for 10 minutes
• Get the latest NAC / RCC firmware loaded at a Peugeot specialist — free in warranty, R900-R1,500 out of warranty
• Check 12V battery health — most resets are voltage-drop related on stop-start cars
• Refurbished NAC unit with VIN coding is much cheaper than a new dealer unit

DIY Difficulty & Cost in SA

Reset is a 10-minute DIY. Firmware reflash is specialist. Battery test is intermediate-DIY. Costs: reset R0. Firmware R900-R1,500. Battery R1,200-R3,000. Refurbished NAC R8,000-R12,000 fitted. New OEM head unit R18,000-R22,000.

Sources

1. Peugeot Forums — touchscreen failure TSB and reset threads [17][18]
2. JustAnswer — 308 Mk2 touchscreen keeps resetting [19]
3. AVForums — Peugeot 308 SW 2014 multimedia screen problem [20]

7. AL4 / EAT6 Auto Gearbox

T7 308s (2008-2013) came with the AL4 4-speed auto — a long-criticised box that needs ATF changes every 60,000 km despite Peugeot calling it sealed for life [21][22]. T9 308s moved to the EAT6 (Aisin TF-71SC) which is mechanically much better, but suffers its own valve-body and mechatronic failures when the fluid is left in too long.

Symptoms

• Harsh thump 1-2 or 2-3 shift, hunting between gears
• "Snow" or "Sport" light flashing on the dash (AL4 pressure-regulation fault)
• Limp mode — gearbox locks in 3rd and reverse only
• Slipping under load and no drive when first selecting D
• EAT6 — shuddering when cold or refusing to upshift past 3rd

Causes

• AL4 pressure-regulator solenoid valve failure (internal leakage) [21]
• Old, burnt ATF never changed (Peugeot originally claimed "sealed for life")
• Worn AL4 valve body and solenoids
• EAT6 — failed mechatronic unit and degraded fluid
• Repeated overheating in stop-start traffic

Solution

• Drop the pan and replace the fluid plus filter with the exact PSA spec (AL4 uses Esso LT 71141 / Total Fluide AT42; EAT6 uses Aisin AW-1)
• Change every 60,000 km regardless of the service book
• AL4 — replace the pressure-regulator solenoid
• EAT6 — the mechatronic unit can sometimes be rebuilt rather than replaced
• For the full EAT6/EAT8 picture see our EAT6 EAT8 transmission guide

DIY Difficulty & Cost in SA

Pan drop fluid service is intermediate-DIY. Solenoid and valve body is specialist. Parts: ATF and filter kit R1,500 - R3,500. Workshop fluid service R3,500 - R6,500. AL4 solenoid kit R8,000 - R14,000. EAT6 valve body or mechatronic R18,000 - R30,000. Full gearbox replacement R55,000-plus.

Sources

1. Peugeot Forums — 308 2009 AL4 transmission issue thread [21]
2. French Car Forum — 308 AL4 rough shift threads [22]
3. JustAnswer — Peugeot 308 gearbox fault Q&A [23]

8. 1.6 THP Oil Consumption & Leaks

The same EP6CDT that suffers chain and carbon issues also burns through oil — owners report a litre per 1,000 km being normal after 100,000 km [24][25]. The cure is to chase three things in order: the PCV valve, the timing-cover and sump-rail seals, then the piston rings.

Symptoms

• Burning over 1 litre of oil every 1,000 km
• Blue smoke on start-up and under hard acceleration
• Wet oil patches on the timing-chain cover, sump rail and turbo oil-feed banjo
• Oil-pressure warning light at idle when hot
• PCV / breather hose collapsed under vacuum

Causes

• Worn piston rings — known weakness of the EP6CDT after 100,000 km
• Failed PCV valve in the cam cover sucking oil straight into the intake
• Turbo oil-seal failure (often runs concurrent with HPFP / timing-chain issues)
• Sump-rail and timing-chain-cover sealant cracking — common at 8-plus years
• Owner using thin 0W-30 when the engine actually calls for 5W-30 (PSA B71 2294)

Solution

• Diagnose in order: replace the PCV valve (cam cover gasket / breather hose) first — fixes most consumption cases [24]
• Reseal the sump rail and timing-chain cover with PSA OE sealant
• Check the turbo oil-feed banjo and screen
• Strip the bottom end for new piston rings only if everything else fails
• Replace the timing chain in the same job — labour is duplicated otherwise

DIY Difficulty & Cost in SA

PCV is DIY-friendly. Sump rail and timing cover reseal is workshop. Ring replacement is engine-out. Costs: PCV R800 - R1,800 fitted. Reseal R3,500 - R6,500. Turbo seals R6,500 - R12,000. Piston rings R28,000 - R35,000.

Sources

1. Peugeot Forums — 308 using lots of oil and excessive oil consumption threads [24][25]
2. French Car Forum — P208 XY 1.6 THP oil consumption thread [26]
3. Honest John — 308 oil consumption forum post [27]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Peugeot 308 reliable in South Africa?

Mixed — UK surveys put aggregate reliability around 2.5/5 [3]. Both headline engines (1.6 THP Prince, 1.2 PureTech wet belt) have well-documented faults that need pre-emptive maintenance. SA cars get a 5-year / 100,000 km factory warranty. Buy with full service history, stick to shorter oil intervals, and the 308 is a perfectly ownable car.

Does the Peugeot 308 have a wet belt?

Yes, on all T9 (2014-2021) 1.2 PureTech models (engine codes EB2DT, EB2DTS, EB2ADT) [5][6]. Older T7 1.6 THP cars have a chain, not a belt — but the chain has its own stretch problem (see Problem 1). The diesel 1.6 HDi and 2.0 HDi use dry belts on a longer 180,000 km / 10-year interval.

How long does a Peugeot 308 timing chain last?

The 1.6 THP Prince chain is now considered a wear item, not a lifetime part [1][2]. Listen for cold-start rattle from 80,000 km onwards and budget R18,000 - R28,000 for a pre-emptive replacement. Skipping this is how engines bend valves.

Is the Peugeot 308 1.6 THP a good engine?

Powerful, smooth, and lightweight — but only if the previous owner serviced it religiously every 10,000 km on PSA-spec oil. The 1.6 THP has more documented faults (timing chain, carbon, HPFP, oil burn, turbo) than almost any other engine of its era. Insist on a full service history before buying.

What is the cheapest Peugeot 308 engine to repair?

The 1.6 VTi naturally aspirated (EP6 non-turbo) is the cheapest to run — no turbo, simpler injection, and parts shared with the 1.6 THP. Avoid the 1.6 THP turbo and the 1.6 BlueHDi if your priority is low running cost.

Should I buy a used Peugeot 308 in South Africa?

Yes, with three checks. First, confirm the timing chain (THP) or wet belt (PureTech) service history — no paperwork, no deal. Second, run a Diagbox / Lexia scan to read live gearbox and fuel-pressure data. Third, drive any automatic for 30 minutes — feel for the AL4 thump or EAT6 cold shudder. Cars with full Peugeot SA service history under 80,000 km are the sweet spot.

How much does it cost to fix a Peugeot 308 1.2 wet belt in SA?

Full clean job at an independent Peugeot specialist: R18,000 - R28,000 including belt, tensioner, idler, oil-pump pickup, water pump and oil. If the engine has already shed material into the oil system, expect R45,000 - R75,000 for a rebuild or used engine swap.

Get Your 308 Back On The Road

Every fault on this list is something we ship parts for every week — chain kits, wet-belt kits, walnut-cleaned intake manifolds, refurbished NAC units, AL4 solenoid kits and everything in between. The 308 rewards owners who catch faults early and use a Peugeot-literate specialist.

Related Peugeot Guides

Sources

1. Peugeot Forums — 308 1.6 VTi Prince timing chain thread
2. Peugeot Forums — Timing chain issues thread
3. CarChecker Pro — Peugeot 308 T9 1.6 THP reliability, problems and costs
4. JustAnswer — Common Peugeot 308 1.6 THP engine problems Q&A
5. Peugeot Forums — PureTech 1.2 timing belt crumbled thread
6. Honest John — Peugeot 308 SW 1.2 PureTech belt broken
7. Wheelbase Garage — 1.2 PureTech wet timing belt full guide
8. Peugeot Forums — Carbon build-up thread
9. eTuners — Peugeot/Citroën 1.6 THP intake valves combustion residues buildup
10. Peugeot Forums — Risk of particle filter clogging, DPF AdBlue issues
11. Peugeot Forums — BlueHDi AdBlue thread
12. AutoInsider — Peugeot 308 DPF problems and faults
13. Peugeot Forums — Peugeot 308 CC electrical issues
14. Peugeot Forums — Car has gone insane — BSI issue?
15. ECU Testing — Common Peugeot ECU faults
16. French Car Forum — 308 multiple faults thread
17. Peugeot Forums — Touchscreen failure (frozen / unresponsive) TSB
18. Peugeot Forums — Infotainment system / touchscreen resets whilst driving
19. JustAnswer — Touchscreen on 308 mk2 keeps resetting itself
20. AVForums — Peugeot 308 SW (2014) multimedia screen problem
21. Peugeot Forums — Peugeot 308 2009 AL4 transmission issue
22. French Car Forum — 308 AL4 automatic rough shift 1st to 2nd gear
23. JustAnswer — Peugeot 308 gearbox fault Q&A
24. Peugeot Forums — 308 using lots of oil thread
25. Peugeot Forums — Excessive oil consumption thread
26. French Car Forum — P208 XY 1.6 THP oil consumption and leak
27. Honest John — Peugeot 308 year 2008 oil consumption

Important Disclaimer

Repair costs in this article are 2026 South African workshop estimates for Pretoria and Johannesburg independent Peugeot specialists. Dealer pricing typically runs 25-40% higher. Final pricing depends on your specific VIN, engine variant, service history, and whether ancillary parts (oil pump, water pump, ATF, walnut clean) are renewed at the same time. Always get a written quote and confirm parts are coded where required (head units, BSI modules, mechatronic units). Recall eligibility must be checked against your VIN at peugeot.co.za/owners/maintain-your-car/recall.html — recall fixes are free at authorised dealers when the car is in scope.