Peugeot 208 I Indicators: Red Warnings (2015-present)

A red warning lamp on your Peugeot 208 usually means something needs your attention straight away. When the engine is running or you are driving, a red lamp points to a fault that needs looking into, so read any message that appears alongside it and check the description below.

This guide covers the Peugeot 208 I (2015-present), based on handbook edition ed01-18 for vehicles produced from 6 August 2018. Some lamps depend on the version or equipment of your car. Some red lamps also come on for a few seconds when you switch the ignition on and should go off as soon as the engine starts.

Quick Reference

STOP

The STOP lamp is shown in red on the instrument panel. It stays on together with another warning lamp, with a message and an audible signal. It means there is a serious fault with the engine, the braking system, the power steering or a major electrical fault.

What to do:

• Stay calm and stop somewhere safe.
• Have the car checked by a qualified professional.

Engine diagnostic system

The engine diagnostic lamp comes on in red together with the STOP lamp. When both stay on, a major engine fault has been detected.

What to do:

• Stop somewhere safe.
• Have the car checked by a qualified professional.

Maximum engine coolant temperature

The coolant temperature lamp is shown in red on the instrument panel. It stays on with the temperature needle in the red zone, which means the cooling system is too hot.

What to do:

• Stop somewhere safe.
• Wait until the engine has cooled down, then top up the coolant to the required level if needed.
• If the problem continues, have the car checked by a qualified professional.

Engine oil pressure

The oil pressure lamp is shown in red on the instrument panel. When it stays on, there is a fault with the engine lubrication system.

What to do:

• Stop somewhere safe.
• Have the car checked by a qualified professional.

Battery charge

The battery charge lamp is shown in red on the instrument panel. When it stays on, the battery charging circuit has a fault, for example dirty terminals or a slack or cut alternator belt.

What to do:

• Clean and retighten the battery terminal lugs.
• If the lamp does not go off when you start the engine, have the car checked by a qualified professional.

Door(s) open

The door open lamp is shown in red on the instrument panel. It stays on with a message telling you which door is affected, and it means one of the doors or the boot is not fully closed. Above 6 mph (10 km/h) you also hear an audible signal.

What to do:

Below 6 mph (10 km/h), the lamp comes on with a message:

• Check the message to see which door or the boot is not fully closed.

Above 6 mph (10 km/h), the lamp comes on with a message and an audible signal:

• Check the message to see which door or the boot is not fully closed.

Seat belt not fastened/unfastened

The seat belt lamp is shown in red on the instrument panel. It stays on or flashes with an audible signal when a seat belt has not been fastened or has been unfastened.

What to do:

• The lamp is telling you that a seat belt is not fastened.

Parking brake

The parking brake lamp is shown in red on the instrument panel. When it stays on, the parking brake is applied or has not been properly released.

What to do:

• The lamp is telling you that the parking brake is still applied or not properly released.

Brakes

The brake lamp is shown in red on the instrument panel. When it stays on, the brake fluid level has dropped significantly.

What to do:

• Stop somewhere safe.
• Top up the brake fluid with fluid that meets the manufacturer's recommendations.
• If the problem continues, have the car checked by a qualified professional.

Low fuel level

The low fuel lamp is shown in red on the instrument panel. It stays on with the fuel gauge needle in the red zone. When it first comes on, around 5 litres of fuel remain in the tank.

What to do:

• Refuel as soon as you can so you do not run out of fuel.

If You're Not Sure

If a red lamp comes on and you are not sure what it means, stay calm, stop somewhere safe and read any message shown on the screen. If the lamp stays on after the engine has started, have your car checked by a qualified professional.

Red lamps are your Peugeot 208's way of telling you something needs attention now. Knowing what each one means helps you react calmly and keep yourself and your car safe.

Related guides: Peugeot 208 I (2015-present) orange warning lights, Peugeot 208 I (2015-present) green and blue lights, Peugeot 208 Indicators: Red Warnings (general guide) and all Peugeot 208 guides.