Peugeot 308
Powerful PSA diesel for mid-size and SUV applications. Common rail with turbo. Later versions as BlueHDi with SCR cat and AdBlue.
Effortless cruiser
150 hp in the 308 II with EAT6: strong and refined diesel that accelerates the light 308 effortlessly.
Engine Weaknesses 7
The plastic impeller of the water pump can disintegrate from as early as 50,000 km. Fragments enter the timing belt drive and cause the belt to snap with subsequent total engine destruction.
Symptoms: Coolant temperature rises unusually, coolant loss without visible leak, faint grinding or squealing from the timing belt drive, sudden engine shutdown when belt snaps
The dual-mass flywheel wears prematurely, especially on the 107 hp variant. Oil dilution from DPF regeneration accelerates wear. The clutch should always be renewed at the same time.
Symptoms: Squealing or clattering when starting and stopping the engine, pronounced vibrations at idle, juddering when pulling away, knocking at low revs under load
Leaking injectors allow diesel into the engine oil, drastically reducing its lubricity. The rising oil level is often overlooked. This can cause piston and bearing damage.
Symptoms: Diesel smell at the dipstick, oil level rises above maximum, strong exhaust smell inside the car, engine judders or knocks more than usual, increased fuel consumption
After switching off a hot engine the oil lines to the turbocharger can coke up. On the next start the turbocharger briefly runs without lubrication. Mainly affects the more powerful DW10 variants.
Symptoms: Increasing whistling or whining from the turbocharger, oil spots under the car in the turbo area, gradual power loss, blue smoke after the engine has been standing
Internal EGR cooler failure routes coolant into the exhaust gases. Coolant disappears without visible external leak. Repair requires 13.2 hours of labour. Cost 800–2,000 €.
Symptoms: Coolant drops without visible leak, white smoke from exhaust, heater won't warm up
The PSA-proprietary additive (Eolys) is mixed into the fuel and enables regeneration at a lower temperature. A defective additive pump or empty reservoir prevents regeneration and clogs the FAP prematurely. Change interval 120,000–180,000 km.
Symptoms: Warning 'particulate filter will soon clog', increased fuel consumption, power loss, regeneration attempts visible as idle speed fluctuations
The EGR valve seizes with soot deposits or no longer closes fully. The result is warning messages, poor cold-start behaviour and increased particulate output into the filter, causing it to clog faster.
Symptoms: Warning 'exhaust aftertreatment system fault', poor cold-start behaviour, light smoke when accelerating, occasional judder under load
Vehicle Weaknesses 8
On 308 models from build years 2013 and 2014 the attachment bolts on the front triangular wishbones can fracture. This can lead to uncontrollable handling. A recall was issued for affected vehicles.
A control unit governing battery charging, lighting and windscreen wipers had to be replaced as part of a recall. Early T9 models were affected.
Brake discs on the 308 T9 are worn more than twice as often as the class average at the first two TÜV/MOT inspections. Wear is especially severe with predominantly city use.
Even on low-mileage examples, engine and gearbox on the 308 T9 develop leaks. Oil loss is a frequent TÜV/MOT failure that affects both 308 generations, but on the T9 it shows up early.
The automated manual gearbox (EAT6) in the 308 T9 shows noticeable torque interruptions and can judder when shifting. Some drivers report uncomfortable shift behaviour particularly in city traffic.
The 308 T9 AC condenser can develop leaks from stone impact or material fatigue, causing refrigerant loss and AC failure. Replacement is more expensive than on the predecessor T7 due to the tighter installation space.
Headlight function and alignment as well as rear light function on the 308 T9 are all above the class average in TÜV/MOT inspection results. Bulb failures and faulty headlight levelling are common.
The T9's steering wheel synthetic leather is not resistant to hand cream and perspiration and peels badly after 3–5 years. A well-known Peugeot problem since the 307. Goodwill claim at the dealer may be possible.
