Peugeot Starter Relay Fire Recall (R/2017/140): 2016-Built Cars — Check Your VIN

If you own a 2016-built Peugeot, your starter motor relay may be covered by UK recall R/2017/140. The DVSA lists it against the 208, 2008, 308, 3008, 508, Expert and Traveller built between 15 May and 12 October 2016, and the campaign was launched on 24 April 2017. Only a VIN check settles whether your car is in scope. The published defect is an internal component of the starter motor relay that may be out of specification: it can affect the starting operation and damage the starter motor through overheating, and in extreme cases there is a risk of fire.

What the recall covers

The DVSA record describes a possible nonconformity of an internal component of the starter motor relay, which could affect the control of the starter motor. That can adversely affect starting and damage the starter motor through overheating, and in extreme cases there is a risk of fire.

The published remedy is to check the starter motor relay and, where necessary, replace it. The record does not give a job time.

Which cars are affected

R/2017/140 is one campaign covering several Peugeot model lines built in 2016. The DVSA lists it against the 208, 2008, 308, 3008, 508, Expert and Traveller, and gives every one of them the same build range: 15 May to 12 October 2016. The register publishes no VIN range, so the model name and build date alone do not tell you whether your car is covered — only the VIN does.

Do not confuse it with a separate starter campaign. UK recall R/2017/215 (launched 6 July 2017) covers the 308, 3008, 5008 and 508 built 2 October 2013 – 4 April 2017, because the starter motor supply terminal may be positioned out of specification and could short-circuit against a neighbouring component. It is a different defect from R/2017/140.

Cars built outside 15 May – 12 October 2016 are not covered by this campaign — the scope is set by build date, not by model year, trim or facelift. Do not assume scope from registration date alone; build date is what matters, and SA-imported cars often carry build dates months before first registration. If you are not certain, check the VIN rather than ruling yourself in or out from this page.

How to check if your car is on the list

1. Peugeot SA online recall tool — peugeot.co.za/owners/maintain-your-car/recall.html. Enter your 17-character VIN.
2. Call Peugeot SA on 0860 738 472 — give them your 17-character VIN; that is what their system searches on. If it helps, describe it as the 2016 starter motor relay recall (UK reference R/2017/140, manufacturer campaign code HPS).
3. Any authorised Peugeot dealer — service advisors can pull the VIN against the recall database.

Recall work is not charged to the owner — the DVSA record for R/2017/140 states that you will not need to pay for anything involving the recall. Ask Peugeot SA to confirm against your VIN whether the campaign is still open on your car.

What Peugeot does for free under the recall

The published remedy is to check and, where necessary, replace the starter motor relay. If the starter motor itself shows heat damage, ask the dealer whether that is covered too — it is decided on inspection and is not part of the published remedy.

What if you are outside the recall window

If your car was built outside 15 May – 12 October 2016 but the starter is misbehaving, the recall does not apply and the symptom is still real. Out-of-recall costs — indicative ranges only, not quotes; prices vary by condition, mileage, supplier and labour rate:

• Starter relay only (DIY) — R 450 – R 1,200, 15-minute job in the engine-bay fuse box, no special tools
• Starter relay (workshop) — R 900 – R 1,800 fitted at an independent specialist
• Full starter motor replacement — R 3,500 – R 8,500 fitted

Starter dragging on cranking usually points to a worn starter motor rather than the relay. A workshop scope of the starter circuit with a multimeter takes 20 minutes and tells you which path to take.

Need a starter or relay outside the recall window?

If your VIN is not covered by R/2017/140 but the car will not crank, we can source starter motors and replacement relays for your Peugeot and courier them nationwide. Send your VIN and we will source the right part for your engine variant.

Get a Quote →

Symptoms to watch for

If you have any of these on a 2016-built Peugeot, treat them as urgent:

• Engine intermittently fails to crank — key turn, lights on, no starter engagement
• Starter cranks unexpectedly when the car is parked and switched off — most dangerous symptom, relay stuck closed
• Burning electrical smell from the engine bay — relay overheating
• Voltage drop or dim cabin lights at start-up
• In the worst case — smoke or fire under the bonnet

If you smell burning or see smoke, do not drive the car or park it inside a garage. Have it towed flatbed to the nearest dealer.

If your car falls inside the 15 May – 12 October 2016 build range, check the VIN and action the recall now rather than waiting for the next service — a relay that is marginal today is not going to get better.

Related Peugeot recall guides

You can also browse our full Peugeot 308 parts and Peugeot 508 parts catalogues, or jump straight to the starter motor parts category.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if my Peugeot 308 or 508 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at peugeot.co.za/owners/maintain-your-car/recall.html. You can also call Peugeot SA on 0860 738 472 and give them the VIN — that is what their system searches on. If it helps, describe it as the 2016 starter motor relay recall (UK reference R/2017/140, manufacturer campaign code HPS). Any authorised Peugeot dealer can run the same check.

Does the starter relay recall apply in South Africa?

We have not been able to confirm a published South African notice for R/2017/140 — the campaign was launched in the UK in April 2017. Where a car is in scope, the recall work is free to the owner. Do not assume you are covered, or that you are not, on the strength of this article: run the VIN check at peugeot.co.za or call Peugeot SA on 0860 738 472 and ask them to confirm.

How much does the starter relay recall cost?

R0. The relay and labour are both free. If the starter motor itself has been damaged by a previously stuck relay, ask the dealer whether that is covered too — it is decided on inspection and is not part of the published remedy. Out-of-recall: R 450 – R 1,200 for the relay DIY, R 900 – R 1,800 fitted at an independent.

What happens if I ignore the starter relay recall?

The faulty relay can affect the starting operation and damage the starter motor through overheating, and the DVSA record says that in extreme cases there is a risk of fire.

Can I sell my Peugeot if it has an outstanding recall?

You can, but you should disclose it. The Consumer Protection Act's quality provisions apply to suppliers acting in the ordinary course of business, so they do not generally cover a private sale — but concealing a known safety defect can still expose you to a claim. Book the free recall work before listing.

Is it safe to drive an affected car until the recall is done?

If you have no symptoms — car cranks normally, no burning smell, no unexpected cranking — short trips to the dealer are reasonable. Avoid overnight parking in an attached garage. If you have any symptoms, park outdoors and have the car towed.

Get your 308 or 508 sorted

If the recall applies, book it immediately — recall work is free. If you are outside the recall window and the starter is misbehaving, send us your VIN and the symptom and we will source the right relay or starter motor for your specific build.

Sources

1. All recalls since 1992 — full recall dataset (CSV) — UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (R/2017/140 and R/2017/215: launch dates, models, build ranges, defect and remedy wording, manufacturer codes)
2. DVSA recall R/2017/140 — starter motor may not operate correctly — UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
3. Recall campaigns — Peugeot South Africa (VIN recall checker; recall work carried out free of charge)
4. Used Peugeot 508 — starter relay and power supply recall — What Car?

Important Disclaimer

This article summarises publicly available recall information from the UK DVSA recall dataset, as of October 2026. Recall scope, build dates and remedy details are subject to change by the manufacturer. Always confirm your specific car's status by VIN at peugeot.co.za or by calling Peugeot SA customer care on 0860 738 472 before relying on any information here. Out-of-recall prices are indicative ranges only, not quotes; prices vary by condition, mileage, supplier and labour rate. Pro Peugeot Spares is an independent parts supplier and is not affiliated with Stellantis or Peugeot South Africa.