Peugeot 208
First PSA electric motor on the CMP platform. 50 kWh battery with 340–362 km range (WLTP). 100 kW DC charging possible.
Electric go-kart with Peugeot charm
The E-208 with 100 kW is genuinely fun: instant torque, silent progress, and the i-Cockpit with its small steering wheel delivers a go-kart feel no combustion engine in this class can match. 260 Nm from standstill catapults the light supermini forward. Outstanding in town; keep an eye on motorway range.
Engine Weaknesses 6
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
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
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
The car drains the 12V battery excessively in standby mode, particularly when the traction battery is not actively charging. Car cannot be opened or started. A software update partially addresses the problem.
Symptoms: Car can't be opened or started after extended standing, no charging process possible
The 'electric drivetrain system fault' occurs frequently in cold below 5°C on the motorway and limits power to approx. 25 kW. Cause: faulty temperature sensors in the DC/DC converter or OBC. Diagnosis cost 670 Euro, OBC replacement approx. 2,700 Euro.
Symptoms: Message 'electric drivetrain fault — please have repaired', motor power reduced to approx. 25 kW, max speed 100 km/h, restart fixes temporarily
The 50 kWh battery in the e-208 shows measurable degradation according to goingelectric.de community data: typically 93–96% SOH after 30,000 km. Individual vehicles drop below 90% SOH. Stellantis guarantees 70% after 8 years/160,000 km. Noticeably reduced range for users with short range needs.
Symptoms: Lower range than when new, particularly noticeable range loss in winter, WLTP range no longer achievable
Vehicle Weaknesses 9
The AC condenser loses refrigerant through stone chip damage or porous seals. The PSA platform model shares this issue with the 308/2008/5008. Workshop costs are typically 400–900 euros.
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.
The rear brake discs rust particularly heavily due to uneven brake force distribution and the low vehicle weight. On the electric e-208 variant, regenerative braking makes matters worse as the mechanical brakes are used less.
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.
Anti-roll bar drop links and wishbone bushes on the front axle wear out and cause rattling noises. Particularly on poor roads the suspension attracts negative attention. The plastic bushes harden and crack over time.
Also on the 208 II the rear silencer is poorly rust-protected and corrodes surprisingly quickly, especially with predominantly short-trip use. The defect rate is above average compared to similar vehicles.
Ice builds up at the sills and the steel-aluminium joint at the radiator bracket corrodes quickly. Visible on e-208 models after just 3–4 years.
On the P21 the seat heater heats to around 40°C, then cycles off and on (normal operation). When faulty, only one zone heats. Heating mats are embedded in PU foam — repair is complex.
Door trim clips on P21 models work loose frequently, causing irritating rattles and creaks in the doors. Removing the trim typically breaks 2–3 clips. Peugeot supplied replacement trims for the e-208.
