Stylish French crossover SUV with award-winning interior design. The 1.2 PureTech engine is the major concern: its wet timing belt can degrade prematurely, shedding rubber particles that block oil passages and potentially cause catastrophic engine failure. PSA issued a recall in 2021 affecting over 500,000 vehicles (March 2013 - April 2017 production). Oil consumption is common due to carbon-clogged piston rings. Post-2017 engines and post-2020 facelift models are more reliable. Verify JZR recall completed and check timing belt condition before purchase.
Belt sheds rubber into oil, blocking passages and starving engine of lubrication · more· less
The 1.2 PureTech uses a "wet belt" timing system where the belt runs submerged in engine oil. While intended to improve efficiency and reduce noise, the belt material can degrade prematurely - especially in cars driven only short distances or with infrequent oil changes. Rubber particles clog the oil pump strainer, causing oil starvation and potential engine failure. PSA recalled 500,000+ vehicles built between March 2013 and April 2017. Belt replacement costs €600-800 at specialists, but if engine damage occurs, replacement costs €3,500-6,500. The replacement interval was reduced from 10 years/180,000 km to 6 years/100,000 km.
Excessive oil consumption€150 - €3,500
Carbon-clogged piston rings allow oil to burn; some engines use 1L per 1,000 miles · more· less
Many owners report the oil warning light appearing frequently, especially after long journeys. PSA considers up to 1 litre per 6,500 km as "acceptable," but some engines consume far more. The root cause is usually carbon buildup on piston rings, which prevents them from properly controlling oil flow. Solutions range from frequent top-ups (€150/year in oil), piston soak treatments (€200-400), PCV valve replacement (€100-200), to complete piston ring replacement (€2,500-3,500). More frequent oil changes (every 8,000 km instead of 16,000 km) help prevent this issue.
Touchscreen/infotainment failure€250 - €1,400
Screen goes black, freezes, or becomes unresponsive - controls A/C, sat-nav, and more · more· less
The 3008's i-Cockpit relies heavily on the touchscreen for climate control, navigation, and vehicle settings. Owners report screens going completely black, freezing in one mode (often the reversing camera), or becoming unresponsive to touch. There is a TSB for this issue. A reboot (hold phone button 8+ seconds) sometimes helps, as do software updates. If the screen hardware fails, replacement costs €1,200-1,400 at dealers. Aftermarket repair options using replacement LCD panels (€220-300) are available.
Carbon buildup on intake valves€400 - €800
Direct injection means fuel doesn't wash valves; carbon accumulates over time · more· less
All direct-injection engines are prone to carbon buildup on intake valves because fuel bypasses them entirely. The PureTech is no exception. Symptoms include rough idling, hesitation during acceleration, and reduced power. Short trips and city driving accelerate the problem. Cleaning options include chemical treatments (less effective, €100-200), walnut blasting (€400-600), or manual cleaning with cylinder head removal (€600-800). Using premium fuel and occasional spirited driving can slow accumulation but won't prevent it entirely.
Electronic parking brake malfunction€150 - €500
Brake fails to engage/disengage, warning lights appear on dashboard · more· less
Owners report "Parking brake control faulty" warnings appearing intermittently. Common causes include faulty parking brake switch (€80-150 to replace), wheel speed sensor issues, or low battery voltage triggering false warnings. In cold weather, the brake can freeze if applied when components are wet. Software updates and sensor replacement usually resolve the issue. In rare cases, the parking brake motor itself fails (€300-500).
EAT8 gearbox hesitation (automatic)€200 - €800
Jerky shifts, hesitation from 1st to 2nd gear, hunting between gears on hills · more· less
The Aisin EAT8 automatic is generally reliable - it's a traditional torque-converter unit, not a dual-clutch. However, some owners report hesitation when pulling away or jerky low-speed shifts. Early 2017-2018 cars had more issues that were addressed with software updates. A transmission fluid change at 60,000 km often improves shift quality. Software updates from the dealer are typically free. Actual mechanical failures are rare and the gearbox is considered much more reliable than VW's DSG.
Thermostat/water pump failure€350 - €600
Plastic thermostat housing or water pump fails, causing overheating · more· less
The cooling system uses plastic components that can fail over time. Symptoms include overheating, coolant leaks, or poor cabin heating. Typically occurs between 80,000-120,000 km. Water pump replacement costs around €320, while combined thermostat housing repairs can reach €500-600 due to labor complexity. Catching coolant leaks early prevents more expensive overheating damage.
Timing belt is the critical concern - verify before purchase
The 1.2 PureTech engine can be reliable with proper maintenance, but the wet timing belt issue is serious and well-documented. Pre-2017 engines have the highest failure rates. Post-2020 facelift models benefit from improved components and software. Before buying, verify the JZR recall has been completed, check for timing belt replacement, and confirm regular oil changes with correct specification oil. Avoid cars with only short-trip usage history.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete service records essential. Verify oil changes at proper intervals (ideally every 10,000 km, not 20,000 km).
Tires
Check tread depth, age (date codes), and uneven wear patterns.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen for unusual sounds in the first 30 seconds.
Body condition
Check for rust, accident damage, paint mismatch. Inspect wheel arches and sills.
Test drive
Minimum 20 minutes including varied speeds. Get engine fully up to temperature.
Specific for this vehicle
Verify JZR timing belt recall completed
Contact Peugeot with VIN to confirm recall work done. Applies to March 2013 - April 2017 built engines. Even if passed, belt may still need replacement later.
Check oil level and condition
Low oil between services indicates consumption issues. Dark, dirty oil suggests neglected maintenance. Ask when oil was last changed and check receipts.
Ask about timing belt replacement
If over 6 years old or 100,000 km, belt should have been replaced. Request proof of replacement. Budget €600-800 if not done.
Test all touchscreen functions
Check climate control, navigation, reversing camera, and all menus. Press different areas of screen to verify touch response across entire surface.
Test electronic parking brake
Apply and release parking brake multiple times. Watch for warning lights or delayed response.
Check for oil consumption history
Ask owner about oil top-ups between services. Blue smoke from exhaust indicates burning oil.
EAT8 automatic: test shift quality
Drive for 15+ minutes. Feel for jerky shifts, hesitation from standstill, or hunting between gears on gradients.
Check production date
Post-2017 engines have improved timing belt. Post-2020 facelift has overall improvements. Earlier cars need more scrutiny.
Contact Peugeot or use the official Peugeot recall checker with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. The JZR timing belt recall is critical - even if passed initially, the belt condition should be re-checked at every service.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty3 years / 100,000 km
Extended warranty availabilityUp to 10 years / 160,000 km
Timing belt warranty extensionVaries by market - check with dealer
Peugeot's standard warranty is 3 years with unlimited mileage in years 1-2, and 100,000 km limit in year 3. Extended warranty can be purchased year-by-year up to 10 years/160,000 km if serviced at Peugeot dealers. For timing belt failures on well-maintained cars, Peugeot has sometimes offered goodwill contributions even outside warranty - full dealer service history helps your case significantly.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.