Peugeot 308 II Indicators: Red Warnings (2015-present)

A red warning lamp on your Peugeot 308 tells you that a fault has occurred and needs further investigation. Some red lamps come on for a few seconds when you switch on the ignition. This is normal, and they should go off as soon as the engine starts. A lamp may also come with an audible signal or a message on the screen, so take note of both.

This guide covers the Peugeot 308 II (2015-present) and is based on the handbook edition for vehicles produced from 1 September 2020. Some lamps depend on your car's version, equipment or country of sale, so not every lamp here will appear on your car.

Quick Reference

STOP

This red STOP lamp is one of the most important on your dashboard. It stays on together with another warning lamp, and you will also see a message and hear an audible signal. It means a serious fault has been detected with the engine, the braking system, the power steering or the automatic gearbox, or that there is a major electrical fault.

What to do:

• Stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and switch off the ignition.
• Contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Maximum coolant temperature

This red lamp warns you about the engine's cooling system. On instrument panels that are not digital, it stays on while the temperature needle is in the red zone. On a digital instrument panel, it simply stays on. Either way, it means the temperature of the cooling system is too high.

What to do:

• Stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and switch off the ignition.
• Wait until the engine has cooled down, then top up the coolant if the level is low.
• If the problem persists, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Engine oil pressure

This red lamp relates to the engine oil. When it stays on, there is a fault with the engine lubrication system.

What to do:

• Stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and switch off the ignition.
• Contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Braking

This lamp can warn you about two different braking problems, and what you see on the dashboard tells you which one you have. If the braking lamp stays on by itself, the brake fluid level in the braking circuit has dropped significantly. If two lamps stay on together, the electronic brake force distribution (EBFD) system is faulty.

What to do:

If the braking lamp alone stays on (low brake fluid level):

• Stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and switch off the ignition.
• Top up the brake fluid with fluid that meets the manufacturer's recommendations.
• If the problem persists, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

If two lamps stay on together (EBFD fault):

• Stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and switch off the ignition.
• Contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Parking brake

This red lamp relates to the parking brake. When it stays on, the parking brake is applied or has not been released properly.

What to do:

• Make sure the parking brake is fully released before you drive off.

Electric parking brake

This is the same red parking brake lamp, but this time it flashes. It means the electric parking brake is not being applied automatically, and applying or releasing it is faulty.

What to do:

• Stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so, on level ground, and switch off the ignition.
• With a manual gearbox, leave a gear engaged. With an automatic gearbox, put the lever in position P.
• Then contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

12V battery charge (depending on country of sale)

This red lamp relates to the 12V battery and is fitted depending on the country of sale. When it stays on, there is a fault in the battery charging circuit, for example dirty battery terminals or a slack or cut alternator belt.

What to do:

• Stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and switch off the ignition. If the electric parking brake stops working, secure the car: engage a gear with a manual gearbox, select position P with the EAT6 automatic gearbox, or place the chock against one of the wheels with the EAT8 automatic gearbox.
• Clean and tighten the battery terminals.
• If the lamp does not go off when you start the engine, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Door(s) open

This red lamp tells you that one of the doors or the boot is not fully closed. It stays on together with a message showing which door is open. How it warns you depends on your speed.

What to do:

Below 6 mph (10 km/h), you will see the lamp and the message:

• Close the door or boot shown in the message.

Above 6 mph (10 km/h), you will also hear an audible signal:

• Stop somewhere safe and close the door or boot shown in the message.

Seat belts not fastened/unfastened

This red lamp relates to the seat belts. It stays on or flashes, with an audible signal, when a seat belt has not been fastened or has been unfastened.

What to do:

• Make sure every occupant has their seat belt fastened.

If You're Not Sure

If a red lamp comes on and you are not sure what it means, treat it seriously. Stop somewhere safe as soon as you can, check the message on the screen and refer to your handbook. If in doubt, contact a PEUGEOT dealer or a qualified workshop.

Red lamps are your Peugeot 308's way of telling you that something needs attention now. Knowing what each one means helps you stay calm and do the right thing. Keep this guide handy and always check your own handbook for details specific to your car.

Related guides: Peugeot 308 II (2015-present) orange warning lights, Peugeot 308 II (2015-present) green and blue lights, Peugeot 308 Indicators: Red Warnings (general guide) and all Peugeot 308 guides.