Faults and recalls.

Engine / equipment

1.0 / 1.2 PureTech (EB2) in the Peugeot 208/2008/308/3008/5008, Citroën C3/C4/C5 Aircross, DS 3, Opel Corsa/Crossland/Grandland

Period mentioned

2012 – approx. 2022

Symptoms

Oil pressure warning, hard brake pedal or reduced assistance, oil consumption, blue smoke, squeal at the front of the engine, turbo whistles or loses power.

Possible cause described

The timing belt runs in oil and degrades (especially with short trips and fuel dilution). Debris clogs the oil pump strainer, the brake vacuum pump filter, the turbo oil feed and the variable valve timing solenoids. Stellantis announced compensation for affected owners in 2025.

Check for the garage

Measure the belt through the oil filler opening with the manufacturer's tool. Confirm whether the vacuum pump campaign was done.

Cost cited in the source

Vacuum pump: €500–800; belt with oil system cleaning: considerably moreA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.6 HDi DV6 (Peugeot 207/308/3008/Partner, Citroën C3/C4/Berlingo; same engine as the Ford 1.6 TDCi)

Period mentioned

Approx. 2004–2015

Symptoms

Loud turbo whistle, power loss, blue or black smoke, oil that gets dirty very quickly. Before the failure, often a puffing or ticking from the cylinder head and an exhaust smell from an injector.

Possible cause described

The injector clamp bolts work loose, the gas leak forms carbon that gets into the oil and clogs the mesh filter in the banjo bolt feeding the turbo. The turbo is starved of oil. Replacing only the turbo does not fix it.

Check for the garage

Check injector bolt torque and carbon at their base, the turbo banjo bolt and the sump strainer.

Cost cited in the source

Turbo + full oil system cleaning: approx. €900–2,000 (estimate)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.5 / 1.6 / 2.0 BlueHDi with AdBlue (Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel)

Period mentioned

Approx. 2014 onwards

Symptoms

Emission system fault message and a “starting impossible in X km” countdown, AdBlue/UREA warning and engine light.

Possible cause described

Failure of the AdBlue tank pump module (circuit board, pressure sensor or heater) or of the AdBlue injector. The engine does not stop while driving, but once the countdown reaches zero it will not restart.

Check for the garage

Diagnose with Diagbox or equivalent: AdBlue pressure, flow test and tank temperature.

Cost cited in the source

Complete module or tank: approx. €600–1,500 (estimate)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.6 THP / VTi (EP6, PSA-BMW “Prince” engine): Peugeot 207/208/308/3008/5008/508/RCZ, Citroën C4/C5/C4 Picasso, DS 3/4/5

Period mentioned

Approx. 2007–2018

Symptoms

Metallic rattle for several seconds after a cold start; engine light for timing deviation.

Possible cause described

The chain stretches and the tensioner is soft. Later units have a revised chain and tensioner, which reduce but do not eliminate the fault.

Check for the garage

Listen to a cold start and check whether the chain was replaced with the revised parts.

Cost cited in the source

Approx. €800–1,500 (converted from dollars)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.5 BlueHDi (DV5): Peugeot 208/2008/308/3008/5008/508/Rifter, Citroën C3/C4/C5 Aircross/Berlingo, Opel, DS, Fiat

Period mentioned

2017–2023

Symptoms

Rattle from the top of the engine, loss of power; in severe cases the chain breaks and the engine fails.

Possible cause described

The 7 mm chain linking the two camshafts wears prematurely, influenced by soot in the oil. Stellantis replaced it with an 8 mm chain in 2023 and opened an inspection campaign.

Check for the garage

Ask the dealer whether the car is in the campaign (free inspection and replacement if needed) and whether the 8 mm chain is fitted.

Cost cited in the source

€700–1,400 for the chain; €4,000–7,000 if it breaksA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Naturally aspirated 1.4 and 1.6 VTi from the Prince family (EP3/EP6C), including the MINI One and Cooper 1.4/1.6 (N12/N16)

Period mentioned

2006–2017

Symptoms

Chain rattle on cold starts, unstable idle, stalling and an engine light with variable valve timing codes (P1030, P1062, P101A, P1025).

Possible cause described

The chain stretches and the tensioner fails early, often before 100,000 km. A stretched chain throws the timing out and makes the Valvetronic learning fail, which gets mistaken for a Valvetronic fault.

Check for the garage

Listen to a cold start and check the timing and chain condition before replacing Valvetronic parts or repeating adaptations.

Cost cited in the source

Tensioner and chain: approx. €750–1,700 (converted from dollars)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: up to 100,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

PSA plug-in hybrids: Peugeot 3008 and 508, Citroën C5 Aircross, DS 7 and Opel Grandland

Period mentioned

2019–2023

Symptoms

Usually none. In severe cases, smoke, overheating or a battery fire.

Possible cause described

Water can get into the battery compartment and rust its reinforcement until it is perforated. Stellantis ran several recalls: first anti-corrosion treatment and drain holes, then a battery software update and battery replacement if it does not comply.

Check for the garage

Confirm by VIN that the battery recalls have been done and look for rust on the battery box.

Cost cited in the source

Free under the recallsA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

PSA 2.0 HDi (DW10) and 2.2 HDi (DW12), including the 2.0/2.2 JTD in the Fiat Ulysse and Scudo and the Lancia Phedra

Period mentioned

1998–2015

Symptoms

Particulate filter warning and power loss; rough idle from a dirty EGR; vibration and knocks when starting or in low gears (dual-mass flywheel); smoke or hesitation from injectors at high mileage.

Possible cause described

The engine itself is very robust, but the ancillaries are not: the DPF with Eolys additive clogs in town use, the EGR and its cooler fill with soot, the variable-geometry turbo sticks and the dual-mass flywheel wears. The 136 hp versions have more problems than the 138 to 163 hp ones.

Check for the garage

Read the DPF status and additive level, check the EGR and cooler, check the dual-mass flywheel at start-up and measure injector balance rates.

Cost cited in the source

Forced DPF regeneration: €100–150; new DPF: €800–1,500; rebuilt injector: €200–250A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 120,000–180,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Aisin EAT6 and EAT8 automatic gearboxes (308, 3008, 5008, 508, 2008, C4 Picasso, C5 Aircross, C4, DS 7, Grandland…)

Period mentioned

2013–2026

Symptoms

Hesitation or a jolt between 1st and 2nd, torque converter shudder in traffic, harsh or delayed shifts and a gearbox fault warning, especially on 2017–2019 3008s.

Possible cause described

Torque converter wear or drift, valve deposits from degraded oil and software faults. Peugeot treats the oil as lifetime, but dirty or low oil causes harsh shifts.

Check for the garage

Check oil level and condition, update the gearbox software at the dealer and, after an oil change, record it with DiagBox and reset the adaptations.

Cost cited in the source

Oil change and update: the most common fix; torque converter or valve body: specialist garage repairA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

e-CMP platform EVs with the Mahle on-board charger: Peugeot e-208, e-2008 and e-Rifter, Citroën ë-C4 and ë-Berlingo, DS 3 E-Tense, Opel Corsa-e, Mokka-e and Combo-e

Period mentioned

2019–2024

Symptoms

AC charging (home or public) becomes erratic, drops from 11 kW to about 7 kW or fails completely with messages such as “Charging paused” or a critical error. DC fast charging keeps working.

Possible cause described

The Mahle on-board charger, which converts AC into DC for the battery, fails. It was fitted to at least ten Stellantis EV models until 2024, when the supplier was changed. There is no recall, but in the Netherlands its warranty was extended from two to four years in 2021, and in Denmark the consumer association FDM obtained a free replacement as a known defect.

Check for the garage

Test charging on a three-phase and a single-phase AC point, read the charger codes with DiagBox and check whether it has already been replaced and by which version. Claim warranty or known-defect treatment before paying.

Cost cited in the source

New charger: approx. €1,100–3,700 (converted from dollars) or about €5,300 at a Danish dealer; often covered by warranty or as a known defectA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

PSA/Renault AL4 (DP0) four-speed automatic in Peugeot 206, 207, 307, 308, 406 and 407, Citroën C3, C4, C5, Xsara and Xsara Picasso, and DS3

Period mentioned

Approx. 2000–2015

Symptoms

The “Sport” and “Snow” lights flash together or “Gearbox fault” appears; very harsh shifts before the gearbox goes into limp mode in 3rd (only 3rd and reverse). It often happens when cold or after a few minutes' driving and clears after restarting the engine.

Possible cause described

The control unit sees a difference between calculated and actual pressure. The most cited cause is the pressure regulation solenoid (EPDE), though internal leaks or the pressure sensor are also possible. With badly degraded fluid, the fluid wear counter also triggers limp mode. Some owners replace the solenoid without fixing it.

Check for the garage

Read the codes with PSA-compatible equipment (Diagbox/Lexia) and log line pressure while driving, especially when cold. Check fluid level and condition and, if changed, use the specified fluid and reset the wear counter. Also check the lever position switch.

Cost cited in the source

No verifiable estimate in the sources; the solenoid is a replacement part and, according to a forum, it can be changed without removing the gearbox.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

DS 7 Crossback E-Tense 4x4 300 hp with 19-inch Michelin tyres

Period mentioned

2019–2021

Symptoms

The 19-inch tyres wear very quickly, in little more than 10,000 km, with correct pressures and without the car pulling to one side.

Possible cause described

The 205 mm tyres are too narrow for this version's power. DS runs a free recall: it fits new wheels with 235 mm tyres and updates the software (about 4 hours), according to L'argus. It only affects the 300 hp E-Tense 4x4.

Check for the garage

Check the pressures when cold and the wear. Ask the dealer, with the car's details, whether the wheels and tyres recall is outstanding.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

1.2 Hybrid 48 V: Peugeot 208 and 2008, Citroën C3, C3 Aircross, C4 and C4 X, DS 3, Opel Corsa, Frontera and Mokka, Jeep Avenger, Alfa Romeo Junior, Fiat 600 and Grande Panda, Lancia Ypsilon

Period mentioned

2023 onwards

Symptoms

Engine or electrical-fault warning light, a hot or burning smell under the bonnet and, in extreme cases, an engine-bay fire.

Possible cause described

There is too little clearance between the petrol particulate filter duct and the 48 V hybrid system’s guard (belt starter-generator): in humid conditions water can get in, an electric arc can form and it can overheat. Stellantis recalled about 700,000 cars worldwide (36 incidents, 12 with fire) and advises against pressure-washing the engine until the repair.

Check for the garage

Check the recall by VIN; do not pressure-wash the engine; with the warning or a burning smell, stop and park outdoors.

Cost cited in the source

Free under the recall.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Peugeot 308, 408, 3008 and 5008, Citroën C5 X, DS 4 and DS N°8 built between late 2023 and 2026

Period mentioned

2023–2026

Symptoms

With the car switched on, one or all four doors cannot be opened from inside.

Possible cause described

A software fault in the vehicle supervision module (VSM) can deactivate the interior handles with the engine running, so occupants could not get out, for example after a crash. Recall published in June 2026 on Rappel Conso (45,500 cars in France): 308 built from 1/11/2023 to 12/2/2026, 408 from 3/11/2023 to 9/2/2026, 3008 from 9/10/2023 to 9/7/2025 and 5008 from 5/12/2023 to 10/7/2025, plus some C5 X, DS 4 and DS N°8. The VSM software is updated in about 30 minutes.

Check for the garage

Check the campaign by VIN at the dealer; meanwhile, test the interior handles with the car switched on.

Cost cited in the source

Free under the recall.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

Electric DS N°8

Period mentioned

2025–2026

Symptoms

Sudden electrical faults; a burning smell or heat at the front.

Possible cause described

After a design change to share parts, the electric cars were built without the protective cap: the main front harness can touch a metal earth stud and, with vibration, wear through its insulation and short-circuit, causing loss of electrical functions, overheating and a fire risk. DS recall G3W (Rapex alert 34/2026).

Check for the garage

Check campaign G3W by VIN at a DS dealer.

Cost cited in the source

Free under the recall.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database