Peugeot 208 P21
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Peugeot 208 II (P21, from 2019) shook up the European supermini market properly — Car of the Year 2020, sharp design, and for the first time available as the fully electric e-208. Built on the CMP platform (shared with Opel Corsa F and DS3 Crossback), available with combustion engine or electric drive. Sounds modern, and it is — but underneath the pretty shell lurk a few well-known Stellantis weak spots.
The main topic remains the 1.2 PureTech (EB2ADTS). Until mid-2021, the notorious wet belt was fitted — an oil-cooled timing belt that swells and snaps with short trips and neglected oil changes. PSA reduced the replacement interval to 100,000 km / 6 years, Stellantis grants extended warranty coverage. Buying a 2019–2021 model year means the belt replacement should be the first order of business: 1,200–1,800 EUR including oil strainer cleaning. From late summer 2021, PureTech engines run with a timing chain instead of the wet belt — the core problem is solved. The 130 PS turbo pulls well for a three-cylinder, real-world consumption is 6.5–7.5 l/100 km, and it is perfectly adequate for daily driving.
The 1.5 BlueHDi (DV5) with 100 PS is the high-mileage engine. Frugal, robust, unremarkable in normal operation. However: Stellantis issued a 2023 recall for the 7 mm timing chain — wrong chain dimension from the factory. Affected vehicles were converted free of charge. When buying used, verify that the recall was completed. Real-world consumption 4.5–5.5 l/100 km — the thing just runs and runs.
The e-208 (EM-100) with a 50 kWh battery and 136 PS is a surprisingly fun city car — quiet, strong torque off the line, real-world range 250–300 km. Weak point of the early model years (2019–2022): the onboard charger from Mahle tends to fail. Charging interruptions, error messages, AC charging impossible. Stellantis replaces the Mahle OBC with a VMAX charger — free under warranty, but this should be clarified before buying used. Second EV topic: the rear brake discs rust more heavily than on combustion models because regenerative braking barely engages the mechanical brakes. Deliberate hard braking from time to time keeps the discs clean.
Across all variants: the infotainment is the most common complaint. Touchscreen freezes, Bluetooth dropouts, Apple CarPlay glitches. Software updates at the dealer usually help but do not solve the problem permanently. The lighting draws attention at inspection — low beam and indicators are flagged more often than with competitors. The rear silencer rusts faster than expected with short-trip use: 250–400 EUR for replacement.
Facelift 2023: new HN09 mild-hybrid three-cylinder (48V, 100/136/145 PS) replaces the old PureTech, chain instead of wet belt, smoother start-stop. New cockpit with curved display. Buying the facelift avoids the PureTech wet belt issue entirely.
Test drive checklist: Oil level and service book (wet belt replacement done?), click through the infotainment (pair Bluetooth!), test brakes after standing, check door seals for hardening, verify all lighting.
Market situation 2026: Pre-facelift 2019–2022 from 12,000–17,000 EUR, e-208 from 15,000–20,000 EUR, facelift from 19,000 EUR upward. Insider pick: 1.2 PureTech 130 Allure from model year 2022 with manual gearbox — timing chain instead of wet belt, enough power, no diesel premium. For electric: e-208 from 2023 with VMAX charger.
130 PS
208 · Benzin
Finally PureTech without wet belt anxiety
Fun to Drive!100–136 PS
1.2L Turbo MHEV Benzin
6 weaknesses
Good Choice101–131 PS
1.5L BlueHDi Diesel
8 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The Peugeot 208 P21 is available with 4 engine variants — from 100 to 156 hp.
Modern PSA diesel (1.5L BlueHDi) with common-rail, SCR catalyst, and AdBlue. Fuel-efficient and torquey, but the camshaft chain (only 7 mm wide) is the biggest weak point — Stellantis extended the warranty to 10 years/240,000 km. Always check whether the 8 mm chain update has been performed. The AdBlue system and DPF are prone to issues with short-trip driving. The high-pressure fuel pump can seize from fuel contamination.
- !! Premature timing chain wear — subject to recall from 80,000 km
The only 7 mm wide timing chain stretches prematurely and can snap. Oil dilution from short-trip use accelerates the problem. Stellantis has initiated a mega recall covering 141,700 vehicles in Germany.
Symptoms: Rattling or clattering on cold start, engine management light, rough engine running, in the worst case sudden engine shutdown from chain snap while driving - !! High-pressure pump seizes from 40,000 km
The Bosch high-pressure pump on the DV5 can seize, particularly on vehicles with fewer than 50,000 km. Metal swarf enters the fuel system and requires replacement of the entire injection system.
Symptoms: Engine no longer starts or stalls while driving, engine management light, metallic noise from engine bay, power loss shortly before total failure - !! Timing chain recall — warranty extension
Stellantis has extended the warranty to 10 years / 240,000 km (since July 2025). A software update increases oil pressure and a special oil change is performed. Chain replacement free of charge if required.
Symptoms: Affected vehicles receive a recall notification. Workshop performs diagnosis, checks chain stretch via camshaft/crankshaft sensor comparison.
+ 5 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Further developed PureTech 130 (96 kW) with Euro 6d and gasoline particulate filter (GPF). Later production years have a timing chain instead of the problematic wet belt — always verify which variant is installed before purchase. The engine uses solid tappets without hydraulic lash adjustment, requiring manual valve clearance checks every 80,000 km. Piston ring coking on short trips is a known issue. Fundamentally much more reliable than the predecessor EB2 generation.
- !! Oil consumption from coked piston rings from 60,000 km
The 1.2 PureTech tends towards increased oil consumption from coked oil control rings. At high operating temperatures the rings coke up and allow oil into the combustion chamber. Up to 1 litre per 1,000 km is possible.
Symptoms: Dropping oil level between services, bluish exhaust smoke on cold start, oil consumption warning on display - !! Wet belt debris blocks oil strainer (older EB2 variants) from 80,000 km
On older PureTech variants with a wet belt, rubber debris from the timing belt can block the oil pump strainer and cause oil pressure loss. The EB2ADTS has a timing chain, but verify risk on transitional models.
Symptoms: Oil pressure warning, engine noise, sudden power loss, engine damage if driving continues - !! Weak crankshaft thrust washers from 100,000 km
The crankshaft thrust washers (half-rings) cannot withstand the loads and cause axial play. Once play exceeds 0.5 mm there is a risk of the chain jumping off its sprockets and valves hitting pistons.
Symptoms: Knocking noises from the engine block, noticeable play at the crankshaft, rough engine running
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo with 48V mild hybrid system and timing chain (NOT a wet belt like the predecessor EB2DTS). 21 kW electric motor integrated into the e-DCS6 dual-clutch gearbox. Available from 2024 in the 208 P21, 2008 P24, and 308 P51 as the MHEV variant. More reliable than the predecessor thanks to the elimination of the wet belt design, though still too new for comprehensive long-term data.
- !! MCU calibration fault — loss of drive
A miscalibrated motor control unit (MCU) incorrectly detects an internal insulation fault and opens the clutch as a result — unexpected loss of drive while moving is possible.
- !! e-DCT6 shuddering and protective shutdown (early production) from 10,000 km
The new e-DCT6 dual-clutch gearbox shows occasional shuddering at low speeds, shift hesitation or protective shutdowns on early production vehicles — usually caused by immature software calibration.
Symptoms: Shuddering when pulling away and at low speed, shift hesitation, occasional gearbox fault messages, warning lights (ESP, ADAS) - !! Camshaft problems in early production series from 40,000 km
The latest PureTech generation HN09 shows early reports of camshaft problems similar to the predecessor PureTech engines according to L'Argus. Early warning sign: increased oil consumption from as early as 16,000 km.
Symptoms: Oil level warning early, rough engine running, knocking on cold start
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
First PSA electric motor (100 kW) on the CMP platform with a 50 kWh battery (340-362 km WLTP). DC fast charging up to 100 kW. The Mahle OBC (onboard charger) from model years 2019-2022 is the most well-known weakness — three revisions failed to fix it, only the switch to the VMAX OBC from mid-2022 resolved the issue. The 12V battery drains during extended periods of standing. The heat pump compressor is the most expensive single repair. Software updates are frequently required.
- !! BMS software: drive loss while driving from 20,000 km
Faulty BMS software configuration can cause the electric motor to cut out suddenly while driving. Recall MDY affected 21,345 vehicles (4,632 in Germany) from build year 2022.
Symptoms: Motor suddenly cuts out while driving, drive lost, no prior warning - !! Heat pump compressor corrodes and fails from 40,000 km
The moisture trap in the heat pump refrigerant circuit is undersized and allows moisture through to the compressor. This causes corrosion and compressor failure. Peugeot acknowledged the problem in Japan and replaced compressors; in Europe customers bear the cost (approx. 1,400–3,300 Euro).
Symptoms: Heating fails in winter or works inefficiently, 'electric drivetrain system fault' warning, A/C compressor noise, comfort loss in cold below -5°C - !! Mahle on-board charger (OBC) failed from 50,000 km
The fitted Mahle CAOBC1 on-board charger is known for charging failures. AC charging drops out, wallbox charging no longer possible. Repair costs approx. 2,500–3,500 €. Successor VMAX OBC is more reliable.
Symptoms: AC charging no longer works, charging session aborts immediately, charging system fault message
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment system freezes or responds with delay The infotainment system with touchscreen regularly freezes or responds only with a delay. Bluetooth connections drop, smartphone pairing fails. Software issues cause sporadic system reboots. Symptoms: Touchscreen responds slowly or not at all, Bluetooth drops, system reboots on its own, navigation freezes, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto won't connect. | Low | |
| Lighting defects on dipped beams and indicators TÜV/MOT inspectors flag lighting problems on the 208 II above-average frequently. Dipped beams, indicators and rear lights are equally affected. Lighting is one of the weakest points in the TÜV report. Symptoms: Headlights or indicators fail, uneven illumination, warning message on the instrument cluster, headlight levelling not working. | Low | |
| Electric window regulators fail Electric window regulators or their switches fail sporadically. Windows stop going up or respond with a delay. Front doors mostly affected. Symptoms: Window won't go up or down, delayed response to button press, window stuck in mid-position. from 50,000 km | Low | |
| Parking sensors give false warnings Parking sensors trigger false alerts despite functioning correctly. Faulty calibration or software issues cause phantom warnings. Symptoms: Parking sensors beep without obstacle, error message on display despite working sensors. | Low |
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 52 weaknesses have been documented for the Peugeot 208 P21 (2019–2026) — 39 engine-related and 13 vehicle-related. 2 problem engines: DV5 (1.5L BlueHDi), EB2DT (1.2L PureTech 110). Typical issues affect Electronics, Brakes, Suspension, Rust. Considered reliable: HN09 (1.2L Turbo MHEV).
208 (DV5, 2018–2026) — Stay Away!: Premature timing chain wear — subject to recall, High-pressure pump seizes, Timing chain recall — warranty extension. Power: 102 PS.
208 (EB2DT, 2015–2023) — Stay Away!: Wet belt disintegration — notorious main problem, Crankshaft axial play from weak thrust washers, Extreme oil consumption from coked piston rings. Power: 110 PS.
208 (EB2ADTS, 2019–2024) — Be Careful: Oil consumption from coked piston rings, Wet belt debris blocks oil strainer (older EB2 variants), Weak crankshaft thrust washers. Power: 130–135 PS.
208 (EB2ADTS, 2019–2024) — Be Careful: Oil consumption from coked piston rings, Wet belt debris blocks oil strainer (older EB2 variants), Weak crankshaft thrust washers. Power: 100–101 PS.
208 (EM-100, 2019–2024) — Be Careful: BMS software: drive loss while driving, Heat pump compressor corrodes and fails, Mahle on-board charger (OBC) failed. Power: 136 PS.
208 (EM-115, 2024–2026) — Be Careful: Heat pump compressor corrodes and fails, Mahle on-board charger failed (AC charging), Electric drivetrain fault — OBC and DC/DC temperature error. Power: 156 PS.
What to watch out for with the Peugeot 208? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee