2016 Peugeot 308 1.6L Diesel · F8 RCM

The 1.2 PureTech three-cylinder petrol engine utilises a wet timing belt operating submerged in engine oil. Fuel contamination and thermal stress cause belt rubber to degrade, shedding fibrous particles into the engine sump. These particles block the oil pump strainer, causing severe oil starvation, vacuum pump failure, and loss of assisted braking (UK recall R/2020/331), with catastrophic engine failure if unaddressed.

BlueHDi diesel engines (1.6 and 1.5 variants) utilize an integrated AdBlue tank assembly housing the urea delivery pump, heater, and level sensor. Urea crystallisation and circuit board failure cause delivery failure, illuminating the UREA warning lamp and initiating a non-restart countdown (commencing at 700 miles). Because the tank is a factory-sealed unit, replacement of the complete tank is required.

The central 9.7-inch touchscreen controls navigation, radio, and all ventilation and heater settings. On early SMEG and later NAC units, internal memory corruption and software bugs cause freezing, black screens, sluggish response, and random reboots. When the screen freezes, occupants cannot adjust cabin heating, fan speeds, or windscreen demisting.