What each red warning light on the Peugeot 208 II (2023-2025) means and what to do, from STOP and engine oil pressure to braking and doors open.
Red warning lamps on your Peugeot 208 point to a malfunction or something that needs your attention. A red lamp can come with an audible signal or a message on the screen, and it may mean a fault needs investigating. Some red lamps come on for a few seconds when you switch the ignition on. This is normal, and they should go off as soon as the engine starts.
This guide covers the second-generation Peugeot 208 (208 II), based on handbook edition ed01-23 for vehicles produced from 01/11/2023. Some lamps only apply to certain versions or equipment, such as petrol, hybrid, diesel or electric models, so not every lamp here will appear on your car.
Scroll the table sideways.
| Warning | Urgency | In short |
|---|---|---|
| STOP | Stop safely, get help | Serious fault: stop and switch off |
| Engine self-diagnostics system (Petrol, Hybrid or Diesel) | Stop safely, get help | Major engine fault detected |
| Maximum coolant temperature (Petrol, Hybrid or Diesel) | Stop safely, get help | Cooling system temperature too high |
| Engine oil pressure (Petrol, Hybrid or Diesel) | Stop safely, get help | Engine lubrication system fault |
| System malfunction (Hybrid or Electric) | Stop safely, get help | Electric motor or traction battery fault |
| 12 V battery charge | Stop safely, get help | Battery charging circuit fault |
| Door(s) open | Action needed from you | Door or tailgate not properly closed |
| Seat belts not fastened/unfastened | Action needed from you | Seat belt not fastened |
| Manual parking brake | Action needed from you | Parking brake on or not fully released |
| Electric parking brake | Stop safely, get help | Applied, or flashing for a fault |
| Braking | Stop safely, get help | Low brake fluid or EBFD fault |
This red lamp shows the STOP symbol on your instrument panel. It comes on steadily together with another warning lamp, along with a message and an audible signal. It means a serious fault has been detected with the engine, braking system, power steering or automatic gearbox, or a major electrical fault.
What to do:
This red engine warning lamp appears together with the STOP lamp. When it stays on steadily, a major engine fault has been detected.
What to do:
This red coolant temperature lamp stays on steadily. With the matrix instrument panel, the display blocks also light up in red. Either way, it means the temperature of the cooling system is too high.
What to do:
This red engine oil pressure lamp stays on steadily when there is a fault with the engine lubrication system.
What to do:
This red system malfunction lamp stays on steadily when a fault has been detected in the system, meaning the electric motor or the traction battery.
What to do:
This red battery lamp stays on steadily when the battery charging circuit is faulty. This could be caused by dirty terminals or a loose or broken alternator belt, for example.
What to do:
This red door open lamp stays on steadily with a message showing which door or the tailgate is affected. It means a door or the tailgate is not properly closed. Above 6 mph (10 km/h), an audible signal also sounds.
What to do:
Below 6 mph (10 km/h), with the lamp and message only:
Above 6 mph (10 km/h), with the audible signal as well:
This red seat belt lamp stays on or flashes, with an audible signal that gets louder. It means a seat belt has not been fastened or has been unfastened.
What to do:
This red parking brake lamp stays on steadily when the parking brake is applied or has not been fully released.
What to do:
This red parking brake lamp can stay on steadily or flash. When it stays on, the electric parking brake is applied. When it flashes, there is a fault with applying or releasing the brake.
What to do:
If the lamp stays on steadily:
If the lamp is flashing:
This red braking lamp stays on steadily. On its own, it means the brake fluid level in the braking circuit has dropped significantly. When it comes on together with a second warning lamp, it means the electronic brake force distribution (EBFD) system is faulty.
What to do:
If the braking lamp comes on by itself (low brake fluid):
If the braking lamp comes on with the second lamp (EBFD fault):
If you can't tell which lamp is showing or what it means, look at how it lights up and any message on the screen, then compare it with the descriptions above. When a red lamp comes on and you're in any doubt, stop as soon as it is safe to do so, switch off the ignition and contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.
Red warning lamps are your 208's way of telling you something needs attention straight away, so it pays to know them before you need them. Stay calm, follow the steps for the lamp you see, and check your handbook for more detail on each system.
Related guides: Peugeot 208 II (2023-2025) orange warning lights, Peugeot 208 II (2023-2025) green and blue lights, Peugeot 208 Indicators: Red Warnings (general guide) and all Peugeot 208 guides.
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