Peugeot 407 D2
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
Market overview: The Peugeot 407 (2004-2010) was Peugeot's answer to the Passat and Mondeo — an elegant mid-size car with a broad engine range from the TU5 naturally aspirated to the exotic DT17 V6 biturbo diesel. Available from 1,500 EUR on the used market, with diesel estates being most common.
Engine choice: The DW10 2.0 HDi with 136 PS is the sensible all-rounder — economical, powerful enough and widely available. Avoid the DT17 V6 HDi: fantastic engine but turbo damage costs 3,000+ EUR per side (biturbo!). The ES9 V6 petrol is a pleasure motor with 12-15 litres consumption. Automatic always means AL4 here — a ticking time bomb.
Weak points: Front control arms are THE recurring MOT failure — flagged three times more often than competitors. Check for cooling fan fire risk recall on 2005-2007 models. Power steering pump leaks oil and draws air. Battery drains parasitically through faulty control units.
Test drive checklist: Check control arms for play (jack up, wobble wheel). Listen for steering noises when turning at standstill. Check oil level and colour — on diesels smell for fuel in oil (DPF regeneration). Automatic: 1st to 2nd must be smooth, juddering = AL4 problem.
Buying advice: The 407 is a lot of car for little money, but a minefield for the unprepared. A DW10 2.0 HDi with manual gearbox and full service history makes a reliable long-distance estate. AL4 automatic and V6 diesel only with a generous repair budget.
211 PS
407 · Benzin
V6 authority in the 407
Fun to Drive!116–125 PS
1.8L 16V Benzin
6 weaknesses
Good Choice109 PS
1.6L HDi Diesel
8 weaknesses
Stay Away!Body Variants
The Peugeot 407 D2 is available as Sedan and SW and Coupé — choose your body type for specific insurance data:
Engine Overview
The Peugeot 407 D2 is available with 9 engine variants — from 109 to 211 hp.
The most common PSA diesel (1.6L HDi, 68-85 kW), evolving through many stages from Euro 4 to Euro 6. THE defining problem is the turbocharger: the oil feed line clogs with soot particles and kills the TD025/GT1544V turbo — sometimes as early as 50,000 km. Injector seals, EGR carbon buildup, and DPF issues on short trips are additional trouble spots. With regular oil changes and highway driving, it remains a frugal, long-lasting engine.
- !! Turbocharger total failure from oil sludge from 100,000 km
The 1.6 HDi is notorious for repeated turbocharger failures. Soot particles in the oil alter viscosity, oil lines coke up and the turbocharger runs dry. A second failure after replacement without addressing the root cause is common.
Symptoms: Whistling from the turbocharger, severe power loss, blue or black exhaust smoke, oil leaking from turbo, engine enters limp mode - !! Leaking injectors with diesel in the engine oil from 120,000 km
The copper sealing rings on the injectors wear out, allowing combustion gases and diesel to enter the cylinder head. Oil dilution by diesel can lead to engine damage. Affects all 1.6 HDi variants.
Symptoms: Diesel smell at the dipstick, rising oil level, black deposits around injectors, rough engine running, hissing noises at the cylinder head with engine running - !! Premature camshaft and chain wear from 130,000 km
The cam-to-cam timing chain between inlet and exhaust camshafts can stretch or snap. Hydraulic chain tensioners fail, causing valve timing shift and in extreme cases engine damage.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, rough engine running, engine management light, power loss, in extreme cases sudden engine shutdown from chain snap
+ 5 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Powerful PSA diesel (2.0L HDi, 100-133 kW) for mid-size cars and SUVs. Common-rail with turbo, later versions as BlueHDi with SCR catalyst and AdBlue. Fundamentally robust and long-lasting with high torque. Injectors and the turbocharger are the main wear items. Timing belt with water pump should be replaced at least every 160,000 km. DPF regeneration becomes problematic with short-trip driving patterns.
- !! Timing belt snap caused by defective water pump from 90,000 km
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 - !! Dual-mass flywheel wear from 130,000 km
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 causing oil dilution from 140,000 km
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
+ 6 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Top version of the PSA diesel family (2.2L HDi, 125-133 kW) for the 407, 607, and C5/C6. Strong and refined with excellent pulling power, but rare on the used car market. More involved maintenance than smaller HDi variants: double-row timing chain, variable geometry turbocharger, and complex timing belt replacement. With good care, a cultured long-distance engine capable of well over 300,000 km.
- !! Turbocharger bearing damage from oil starvation from 150,000 km
The turbocharger bearings of the DW12 wear when oil quality is poor or change intervals are extended. Carbon deposits in the oil line block lubricant supply and cause turbo damage.
Symptoms: Whistling from the turbo, blue smoke under acceleration, noticeable power loss, rising oil consumption - !! Injectors seized in the cylinder head from 130,000 km
Moisture accumulation in the injector bores causes the injectors to corrode into the cylinder head. Removal requires special tools and can result in consequential damage to the cylinder head.
Symptoms: Rough engine running, increased fuel consumption, engine knocking, black smoke - !! EGR valve sticks from 100,000 km
The EGR valve on the DW12 tends to stick from soot deposits, particularly during predominantly short-trip use. The mechanism gets stuck in the open or closed position and disrupts mixture preparation.
Symptoms: Rough engine running, power loss, engine management light, hesitation under acceleration
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Bi-turbo V6 diesel (2.7L, 150 kW) from the Ford-PSA cooperation — also found in the Jaguar S-Type and Land Rover Discovery 3. Smooth and powerful with a sequential bi-turbo setup, but complex and maintenance-intensive. Turbochargers and injectors are the biggest cost traps. Timing belt replacement is labor-intensive and expensive (1,500+ EUR). Only purchase with a complete, documented service history.
- !! Biturbo bearing damage from oil coking from 100,000 km
The two turbochargers of the V6 HDi are extremely sensitive to oil deposits in the lubrication circuit. Coked oil destroys the turbo bearings and leads to high oil consumption. Left untreated, catastrophic engine damage follows.
Symptoms: Loud turbo whistling, blue smoke under throttle, significant power loss, oil level drops quickly - !! EGR valves fail frequently from 80,000 km
The EGR valves on the V6 engine fail regularly from soot coking. As a V6 with two cylinder banks there are two EGR valves, which doubles the probability of failure and repair costs.
Symptoms: Engine management light, power loss, black smoke, rough idle, increased fuel consumption - !! Oil seals leaking from heat stress from 100,000 km
The high heat generated in the tight V6 engine bay causes seals to harden and crack prematurely. Oil escapes at various points, resulting in heavy contamination in the engine bay and creeping oil loss.
Symptoms: Oil spots under the car, dropping oil level, oil smell in engine bay, dirty engine underside
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
1.8-liter naturally aspirated engine (85-92 kW) from the EW family — the mid-range petrol option in the PSA lineup. Timing belt engine with interference design, replacement due at 120,000 km at the latest. Solid performance for the mid-size class with a refined character. Oil consumption at higher mileage from valve stem seals is possible. Throttle body and oxygen sensor are typical wear items. Overall undemanding with regular maintenance.
- !! Thermostat and water pump failure from 100,000 km
Overheating caused by a faulty thermostat or failing water pump is a common problem on the EW7. Blocked radiators compound the problem further.
Symptoms: Temperature gauge climbs into the red, coolant loss, heater blows only cold air - !! Hydraulic tappets blocked by oil contamination from 140,000 km
The hydraulic tappets on the EW7 are sensitive to contaminated or incorrectly viscosed oil. From around 140,000 km deposits build up in the oil channels. The engine then briefly runs on three cylinders after cold start. Peugeot workshop charges 700–1,200 Euro for replacement.
Symptoms: Rough running after cold start for the first few kilometres, fuel smell, fault codes 'exhaust aftertreatment anomaly' and 'misfire cylinder X' - ! Leaking cam cover and sump gaskets from 120,000 km
The EW7J4 develops oil leaks at the cam cover gasket and sump gasket with age. Regular inspection and timely seal replacement recommended.
Symptoms: Oil spots under the car, dropping oil level, oil smell in engine bay
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Large 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine (100-103 kW) with 16V technology from the EW family. A timing belt engine, fundamentally robust and powerful. The EW10J4 with 140 PS in the sporty version (206 RC, 307) runs under significantly higher stress. Timing belt replacement with water pump every 120,000 km at the latest — if it snaps, the engine is destroyed. The throttle body gets dirty regularly. A reliable engine with proper maintenance.
- !! Ignition coil failure from 80,000 km
The ignition coils of the EW10 fail regularly and cause misfires. On the 206 there was even a TSB with a wiring modification (capacitor on the connector). Individual cylinders drop out.
Symptoms: Juddering under acceleration, engine management light, increased fuel consumption, rough idle - !! Camshaft sensor failure from 90,000 km
The camshaft position sensor of the EW10 is prone to dirty contacts and intermittent failures. The engine can stall under throttle and requires careful application of the accelerator.
Symptoms: Engine stalls when blipping the throttle, warm-start problems, sporadic fault codes - !! Electric thermostat defective from 80,000 km
The electric thermostat of the EW10A fails frequently and causes overheating issues or too-low operating temperature. Converting to a mechanical thermostat is a well-known workaround.
Symptoms: Temperature gauge fluctuates significantly, engine does not reach operating temperature, overheating warning
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
2.2-liter naturally aspirated engine (116 kW) from the EW family for upmarket models like the 407 and 607. Timing belt replacement every 120,000 km is the most important maintenance item. Valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket develop leaks with age. Otherwise a solid, long-lasting engine with adequate power and torque. Rare on the used car market as it was only installed in a limited number of model variants.
- !! Leaking camshaft and cam cover seals from 80,000 km
The EW12J4 is strongly prone to oil loss at camshaft seals and cam cover gaskets. The camshaft seals are particularly affected and can lead to serious damage if ignored.
Symptoms: Oil spots under engine, oil smell, visible oil traces at cam covers, dropping oil level - !! VVT phaser knocks and fails from 70,000 km
The variable valve timing regulator of the EW12J4 begins knocking from around 50,000 km and can fail completely between 70,000–80,000 km. Repair costs are typically 400–600 EUR.
Symptoms: Knocking on cold start, rattling at idle, rough engine running, power loss - !! Hydraulic bucket tappets wear out from 100,000 km
The hydraulic tappets of the EW12J4 frequently fail from around 100,000 km. Due to the complex design with two balance shafts the engine is inherently noisy; worn tappets make this considerably worse.
Symptoms: Ticking valve noise cold and warm, loud idle, slight power loss
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
PSA V6 naturally aspirated engine (3.0L, 155 kW) with 24 valves — installed in the 407, 607, and 807. Smooth and durable with good power delivery, but high fuel consumption (12-15 L/100 km). Timing belt replacement is labor-intensive and expensive (1,000+ EUR) since the engine is transversely mounted with very limited access space. Oil cooler gasket and crankshaft position sensor are known wear items. Rare on the used car market.
- !! Timing belt damaged by oil contamination from 90,000 km
Leaking camshaft or crankshaft seals allow oil to reach the timing belt. The oil degrades the rubber, the belt slips and valve timing shifts. Valve damage is a real risk.
Symptoms: Uneven engine running, compression loss on individual cylinders, engine warning light, in the worst case engine damage - !! Oil loss at camshaft covers from 80,000 km
The ES9 V6 is strongly prone to oil leaks at the camshaft covers. Escaping oil can reach the timing belt and cause belt slippage or even engine fire. Regular inspection is mandatory.
Symptoms: Oil spots in engine bay, oil smell, visible oil traces at cylinder heads, burning smell - !! Ignition coil failures cause misfires from 80,000 km
The six individual ignition coils of the ES9 V6 are prone to failure, leading to misfires on individual cylinders. The problem often develops gradually.
Symptoms: Juddering at certain RPMs, engine management light, noticeable power loss, increased fuel consumption
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Front wishbones and ball joints wear early Ball joints and wishbones on the front axle of the 407 often last only 50,000 km. Rattling at the front axle is the most common TÜV/MOT problem on this model. Symptoms: Knocking and rattling over bumps, imprecise steering feel, uneven tyre wear, TÜV/MOT failure on front axle from 50,000 km | Medium | |
| Anti-roll bar drop links worn Anti-roll bar drop links wear relatively quickly on the 407. Clunking noise over bumps. Inexpensive wear part, replacement in pairs recommended. Symptoms: Clunking over bumps; noises from suspension area during cornering from 60,000 km | Low |
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Explore more
Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 64 weaknesses have been documented for the Peugeot 407 D2 (2004–2011) — 53 engine-related and 11 vehicle-related. 3 problem engines: DV6 (1.6L HDi), DW10 (2.0L HDi), DT17 (2.7L V6 HDi). Typical issues affect Suspension, Electronics, Brakes, Rust. Considered reliable: EW7 (1.8L 16V).
407 (DV6, 2004–2019) — Stay Away!: Turbocharger total failure from oil sludge, Leaking injectors with diesel in the engine oil, Premature camshaft and chain wear. Power: 109 PS.
407 (DW10, 2004–2018) — Stay Away!: Timing belt snap caused by defective water pump, Dual-mass flywheel wear, Leaking injectors causing oil dilution. Power: 136–140 PS.
407 (DW12, 2006–2011) — Be Careful: Turbocharger bearing damage from oil starvation, Injectors seized in the cylinder head, EGR valve sticks. Power: 163–170 PS.
407 (DT17, 2006–2011) — Stay Away!: Biturbo bearing damage from oil coking, EGR valves fail frequently, Oil seals leaking from heat stress. Power: 204 PS.
407 (EW10, 2004–2011) — Be Careful: Ignition coil failure, Camshaft sensor failure, Electric thermostat defective. Power: 136–140 PS.
407 (EW12, 2004–2011) — Be Careful: Leaking camshaft and cam cover seals, VVT phaser knocks and fails, Hydraulic bucket tappets wear out. Power: 158–163 PS.
407 (ES9, 2004–2011) — Be Careful: Timing belt damaged by oil contamination, Oil loss at camshaft covers, Ignition coil failures cause misfires. Power: 211 PS.
What to watch out for with the Peugeot 407? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Peugeot 407 D2 have? +
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee