Every red warning light on the Peugeot 208 II (2025-present) explained in plain English: what each lamp means and what you should do when it comes on.
Red warning lamps on your Peugeot 208 point to a fault or a situation that needs your attention. Certain red lamps come on for a few seconds when you switch on the ignition and should go off as soon as the engine starts. If a red lamp comes on while you are driving, or stays lit, there may be a fault that needs further investigation.
This guide covers the Peugeot 208 II (2025-present), based on handbook edition ed10-26 for vehicles produced from 02/10/2026. Some lamps only appear on certain versions or equipment levels, for example petrol and diesel (ICE), mild hybrid (MHEV) or electric (BEV) models.
Scroll the table sideways.
| Warning | Urgency | In short |
|---|---|---|
| STOP | Stop safely, get help | Serious failure detected, stop and get help |
| Engine self-diagnostics system (ICE or MHEV) | Stop safely, get help | Major engine fault detected |
| Maximum coolant temperature (ICE, MHEV) | Action needed from you | Cooling system too hot, let engine cool |
| Engine oil pressure (ICE, MHEV) | Get it checked soon | Lubrication fault, have it fixed immediately |
| System malfunction (MHEV, BEV) | Get it checked soon | Electric motor or traction battery fault |
| 12 V battery charge | Stop safely, get help | Battery charging circuit is faulty |
| Door(s) open | Action needed from you | A door or tailgate is not closed |
| Seat belts not fastened/unfastened | Action needed from you | A seat belt is not fastened |
| Manual parking brake | Information / status | Parking brake applied or not fully released |
| Electric parking brake | Action needed from you | Applied when steady, faulty when flashing |
| Braking | Stop safely, get help | Low brake fluid or EBFD fault |
| Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light | Information / status | Gauge zone B means temperature too high |
This is the red STOP warning lamp.
It lights up steadily together with another warning lamp, along with a message and an audible signal. It means a serious failure has been detected with the engine, the braking system, the power steering or the automatic gearbox, or there is a major electrical failure.
What to do:
This is the red engine self-diagnostics warning lamp, fitted to petrol, diesel and mild hybrid models.
When it lights up steadily, a major engine fault has been detected.
What to do:
This is the red maximum coolant temperature warning lamp, fitted to petrol, diesel and mild hybrid models.
On a matrix instrument panel it lights up steadily with the display blocks shown in red. On other instrument panels it simply lights up steadily. Either way, it means the temperature of the cooling system is too high.
What to do:
This is the red engine oil pressure warning lamp, fitted to petrol, diesel and mild hybrid models.
When it lights up steadily, there is a fault with the engine lubrication system.
What to do:
This is the red system malfunction warning lamp, fitted to mild hybrid and electric models.
When it lights up steadily, a fault involving the electric motor or the traction battery has been detected.
What to do:
This is the red 12 V battery charge warning lamp.
When it lights up steadily, the battery charging circuit is faulty. Examples include dirty battery terminals or a loose or broken alternator belt.
What to do:
This is the red door open warning lamp.
It lights up steadily with a message showing which door or opening is affected. It means a door or the tailgate is not properly closed, at speeds below 6 mph (10 km/h).
What to do:
This is the red seat belt reminder lamp.
It lights up steadily 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 is the red parking brake warning lamp for cars with a manual parking brake.
When it lights up steadily, the parking brake is applied or has not been released properly.
What to do:
This is the red electric parking brake warning lamp.
When it lights up steadily, the electric parking brake is applied. When it flashes, applying or releasing the brake is not working properly.
What to do:
If the lamp is steady:
If the lamp is flashing:
This is the red braking warning lamp.
It lights up steadily in two situations: either the brake fluid level in the braking circuit has dropped significantly, or the electronic brake force distribution (EBFD) system is faulty.
What to do:
If the brake fluid level has dropped:
If the EBFD system is faulty:
This is the engine coolant temperature gauge with its red warning lamp.
With the engine running, the gauge shows zone A when the temperature is correct and zone B when it is too high. In zone B, the warning lamp and the STOP warning lamp light up in red on the instrument panel, with a message and an audible signal.
What to do:
If the gauge shows zone A:
If the gauge shows zone B:
If a red lamp comes on and you are not sure what it means, stay calm and stop somewhere safe. You can check current alerts on your Peugeot 208: with the Touch screen 10" & Bluetooth Radio & Telephone, press the "Check" button in the Driving menu, and with PEUGEOT i-Connect Advanced or PEUGEOT i-Connect, go to Settings > Vehicle, then Safety > Diagnostics. If a red lamp stays lit, there may be a fault that needs further investigation by a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.
Red lamps are your Peugeot 208's way of telling you something needs attention, so it pays to know what each one means. Keep this guide handy, take each warning seriously and get any fault looked at by a workshop when the handbook advises it.
Related guides: Peugeot 208 II (2025-present) orange warning lights, Peugeot 208 II (2025-present) green and blue lights, Peugeot 208 Indicators: Red Warnings (general guide) and all Peugeot 208 guides.
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