http://users.bigpond.net.au/skystar/peugeot307/Problems
Page updated 12 April 2003.
There's a rule of thumb for many new cars out there - never buy a car in its first year of production. The 307 is no exception, with recent build cars being far better than earlier ones.
Thanks to submissions from the Peugeot newsgroup alt.autos.peugeot and emails from fellow 307 drivers I've compiled a few problems. The quality of responses to owners concerns from various Peugeot agencies around the world has been variable.
Please consider that the majority of these problems are sourced from UK cars and may not be applicable in your market. The UK (most of the problems I report are from UK owners) will have more early model and lower specification cars than other English speaking markets such as Australia and New Zealand - a UK owner commented to me that continental European cars didn't seem to report the same problems. Later build cars seem to much fewer of the problems below. Please remember that some of the problems below are more common than others, some are rarer.
Some reports say it is your dealer's responsibility to notify you of software updates, whereas other reports mention that the dealer only updates some software only if you report problems as the previous software cannot be reloaded if there are any issues. In any case, it pays to communicate all your issues to your dealer - check for software updates!
I would like to thank all the people who have contributed to this list - as the 307 becomes more established, hopefully these problems will disappear and fixes will be found.
General Problems List
Powertrain
Exhaust - Some exhausts are loose and rattle, changing with throttle inputs.
Gear Stick Rattle - Over 130 km/h the gearstick may vibrate. The intensity of this sound increases with throttle application.
Whining Manual Gearbox - When decelerating (ie. by lifting off the throttle, not by braking) there is a strong gearbox whine, especially when downshifting between 3rd and 2nd gear.
Automatic Gearbox - Poor Shifting - The AL4 gearbox in the 307 has had some software updates. If you are finding that your gearbox is shifting harshly, a software update may fix this. Secondly, I have noticed that the tiptronic system with new software now allows you to hold second gear until the redline, although first gear will still automatically upshift anywhere from 5200 to 6000rpm, even though you have not commanded the shift.
Vibration & Banging at Cruising Speed - When cruising at high speeds some experience a vibration and banging sound through the car. Check to see if the shield beneath your engine is properly secured. As you drive at higher speeds, the wind picks this up, causing it to flutter and bang, causing the sound.
1.6 16V Engine (TU5JP4)
Drivebelt Squeal - When starting from cold the drive belts squeal - the noise is worse if the air conditioning is activated. In automatic cars this begins upon putting the car into gear. A temporary solution is to replace the drivebelt (sound will probably return a few weeks later) or to tighten the belt to twice its initial tension. Both these fixes have been applied to my car and have been unsuccessful - Peugeot is apparently working on a fix for this. Update - a new drive belt of a different material has been found for Australian customers - contact your dealer for more details. See News for more information.
2.0 16V Engine (EW10J4)
Idle Vibration - Some owners have complained about rough idling - this appears to be more common amongst earlier build cars.
Vibrations @ 2800 rpm - An issue affecting some cars is a vibration at around 2800 rpm caused by the camshaft cover resonating against the engine cover. If you are interested in a simple fix visit this page by "The Van" on the 206GTi.net website.
Poor Starting - Some complain of poor starting. Possible solutions could include replacing the ECU - one owner reports that a bad ECU was causing the car to lose several cranking volts, with the new ECU this problem has disappeared. It may also be due to the intlet manifold being damaged (ie. a large hole in it, etc.) - this will simply need to be replaced.
2.0 HDi 8V Engine (DW10TD)
Drivebelt Squeal - See above under 1.6 16V TU5JP4.
Noisy Rattly Idle - If you blip the throttle (eg. to 1500 rpm) the engine makes a death rattle sound on returning to idle speed. Check to see if your air intake mountings are secure - if they have loosened or broken off, the air intake is just sitting on the engine and rattling away.
Jerky Throttle Response - Hard to drive the car smoothly, the car lurches forward - even when trying to drive smoothly.
Chassis
Creaking & Groaning Suspension - This apparently has to do with the anti-roll bar mountings and can be adjusted. Apparently worse in wet weather.
Noisy Brakes - This problem is common amongst many current Peugeots, not limited to the 307. When stopping the brakes may graunch, squeak and in some cases whistle. There is no official fix for this yet - reports suggest Peugeot is working on improved brake pads. It has been reported that using EBC Greenstuff pads reduces the dust & noise from braking, although some say that these pads can cause the brake discs (rotors) to warp.
Wheel Vibration - Some experience some vibration through the steering, increasing with speed. Try rebalancing, cleaning and refitting all the wheels.
Electrical
Instrument Panel - Several owners have reported their instruments and panel lighting dying suddenly, then reactivating themselves. Some dealers have fixed this with a software fix, whilst others deny the existence thereof. According to a report on peugeotlogic.com this may be caused by a short circuit in the dashboard, caused by poorly secured wiring rubbing against the steering column.
See the peugeotlogic.com report here
Ignition Switch - There has been a recall for 6,800 307s to have their ignition switch replaced. Apparently due to it potentially sticking in the ignition mode, leaving the starter motor permanently engaged.
Radio Reception - The radio's reception is susceptible to interference, in particular in FM mode. AM (MW) is good.
Speakers - Several owners have had buzzing or loose speakers. The waiting time for speakers to arrive is very long (I have seen 4 months) compared to 'normal' parts.
Digital Oil Gauge - Some owners have oil gauges that display erroneous amounts, claiming the oil is near empty or half empty when there is plenty of oil in the car. This has only happened to me once, where the car displayed the oil was empty (when it was near full). Once the car was restarted, the error disappeared, and I can say after changing the oil, this has not reoccurred. According to Peugeot UK this issue can be fixed by downloading "307 BSI Download Version 37".
Fuel Gauge - Some report it is hard to fill to the top and readings may not be accurate - one driver reported that his 307 still displayed a low level even after filling up. Only upon opening the fuel cap and shutting it tightly again, did the fuel gauge reset to the proper figure! To ensure you are getting accurate readings, ensure the fuel cap is well tightened and sealed after closing.
Indicator Switch - Owners have complained that it self cancels several times whilst turning (some say in particular when turning right), and reactivating it can inadvertently activate high beam. Some cases have had it totally fail, causing the headlights to shut down as well. There has been an updated switch - however instead of self cancelling a right turn signal when straigtening the wheel, it overcorrects and indicates left!. This problem is peculiar, considering that that the 206, 406, 607, various Citroens such as the C3, Xsara, etc all use this stalk (the problem doesn't seem to occur on these vehicles). One owner reports replacing the switch with that of a Citroen Picasso and this has been successful. The 307's stalk seems far stiffer than that of the 206, although it is of the same external design. Another updated stalk is apparently in the works - reports of its arrival are yet to be confirmed.
N.B. UK Owners - According to a report I have received, if your indicator is causing your car to be in a dangerous state (ie. indicators do not illuminate or engage), Peugeot UK may provide a loan vehicle until this is fixed.
Multifunction Display Cutout (MFD) - The MFDs in some earlier 307s would cut out for a fraction of a second up to two seconds. Peugeot has a software fix for this - the XXC update. Info about this update is below.
The XXC Update is a BSI download applicable for cars with VIN numbers in the following ranges:
VF33ARFNB82271223 to VF33ARFNB82295646 (307 2.0 3DR Manual)
VF33CNFUB82136711 to VF33CNFUB82301909 (307 1.6 5DR Manual)
VF33CNFUE82205725 to VF33CNFUE82299915 (307 1.6 5DR Automatic)
VF33CRFNB82117897 to VF33CRFNB82299837 (307 2.0 5DR Manual)
VF33CRHYB82076176 to VF33CRHYB82299268 (307 2.0 HDi 90 5DR Manual)
Many thanks to the Peugeotlogic.com website for this information.
Trim
Interior Door Handle Surround Trim - Some owners and media have complained that this often pops out.
Carpet - Carpet in the front footwells tends to come loose from the plastic door frame surround - it is probably cut too short. This is happening in the rear footwells of some cars.
Front Passenger Footwell Trim - One of the trim pieces does not fit properly with the surrounding trim - this is in EVERY SINGLE 307 I have seen. The latest cars coming out of the factory still have this issue leading me to believe it is more of a design issue than a quality of assembly issue.
Driver's Mat Plugs - The plastic plugs that hold the driver's floor mat in place often wear out and do not stay in place. The only fix is to replace them.
Rattles - Owners are finding rattles coming from the dash, centre console and boot area. Some dealers have put foam into these areas, and apparently Peugeot now fit foam in such areas as part of the production process.
