Peugeot 408 E3
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
Market overview: The Peugeot 408 (from 2022) is a fastback crossover filling the gap between 308 and 508. Built on EMP2 platform, available as petrol, diesel, PHEV (Hybrid 225) and MHEV. From 25,000 EUR used.
Engine choice: EB2ADTS PureTech 130 with EAT8 is the sensible choice — timing chain from 2022. DV5 1.5 BlueHDi for high mileage. EP6-PHEV Hybrid 225 impressive but multiple recalls.
Weak points: CRITICAL: fuel line fire recall — 11 fires by June 2025, 31,295 vehicles in Germany. Check recall status. Infotainment freezes. EAT8 can judder. 12V battery drains on PHEV when parked. Door lock software recall 2023-2024.
Buying advice: EB2ADTS PureTech 130 with EAT8 from 2024 model year is safest — teething problems should be resolved. PHEV only with completed charging cable recall.
Engine Overview
The Peugeot 408 E3 is available with one engine variant at 100 hp.
Plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 1.6-liter turbo petrol engine (132 kW) and electric motor (81 kW). 12.4 kWh battery providing approximately 50-60 km of electric range. EAT8 automatic gearbox comes standard. The combustion engine is based on the EP6 family with well-known timing chain issues. The interplay between combustion engine and electric motor is complex — software updates are frequent. The high-voltage battery and power electronics add further potential failure points.
- !! On-board charger and traction battery series defect from 42,000 km
On the 508/3008 PHEV OBC failures and traction battery faults (fault code P12F03) are documented. Affected vehicles at 40,000–44,000 km. Spare parts lead times are often several months. Costs up to 6,100 € net for a new battery.
Symptoms: Fault message P12F03, charging not possible, car drives on combustion engine only, drivetrain warning - !! Battery cell fault P1A4B25 — complete battery replacement from 45,000 km
An internal traction battery fault causes fault code P1A4B25. The electric drive runs at severely reduced power and regeneration drops out. PSA requires a complete battery replacement (no cell-level repair possible). Cost 6,100 € net.
Symptoms: Service light on, electric motor noticeably weaker, regeneration failed, charging the traction battery impossible - !! Recall: battery cell overheating with fire risk
Recall (KBA 15574R–15577R): Defective battery cells can overheat the HV battery — fire risk during charging and driving. 39,712 vehicles worldwide (6,436 in Germany), production 07/2019–10/2022. Fix: BMS software update, battery replacement if fault detected.
Symptoms: Recall letter from manufacturer, BMS warning, in rare cases smoke during charging or driving
+ 5 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment and digital cockpit fail completely The digital instrument cluster and touchscreen on the new 408 generation can suddenly go black, disabling all functions — speedometer, fuel gauge, climate control. Software faults can usually only be resolved by a restart. Symptoms: Black display, speedometer and fuel gauge invisible, climate control inoperable, system reboots itself, navigation crashes | Low | |
| 12V battery drains when parked 12V battery drains. PHEV: electric mode unavailable despite charged HV battery. Symptoms: Car won't start, warning lights, electric mode unavailable. | Low | |
| Navigation inaccurate GPS position and sensor malfunctions The navigation system on the 408 E3 sometimes shows significantly wrong GPS positions (up to 30 km off) or permanently displays 'no connection'. Traffic sign recognition frequently returns wrong values. Peugeot app connection fails. Symptoms: Navigation shows wrong position, GPS cannot find signal, speed limit warning shows wrong values, MyPeugeot app will not connect | Low | |
| Electric boot lid fails Boot lid refuses to open or close. Sensor and locking problems. Symptoms: Boot won't open or close, error message, lock jams. | Low |
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 23 weaknesses have been documented for the Peugeot 408 E3 (2022–2026) — 14 engine-related and 9 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Electronics, Gearbox, Suspension, HVAC.
408 (EB2ADTS, 2022–2026) — 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.
408 (EP6-PHEV, 2022–2026) — Be Careful: On-board charger and traction battery series defect, Battery cell fault P1A4B25 — complete battery replacement, Recall: battery cell overheating with fire risk. Power: 149–150 PS.
408 (EP6-PHEV, 2022–2026) — Be Careful: On-board charger and traction battery series defect, Battery cell fault P1A4B25 — complete battery replacement, Recall: battery cell overheating with fire risk. Power: 179 PS.
What to watch out for with the Peugeot 408? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Peugeot 408 E3 have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Peugeot 408 E3? +
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Is the Peugeot 408 E3 worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Peugeot 408 E3? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee