Peugeot 408 I Indicators: Red Warnings (2026-present)

A red warning lamp on your Peugeot 408 means the car has detected a malfunction. Some red lamps simply remind you to do something, such as close a door or fasten a seat belt. Others point to a serious fault that needs your attention straight away. Certain red lamps light up for a few seconds when you switch on the ignition and should go out once the engine has started. That is normal.

This guide covers the Peugeot 408 I (2026 to present), based on handbook edition ed02-26 for vehicles produced from 09/02/2026. Some lamps only appear on certain versions or with certain equipment, for example MHEV, PHEV or BEV models, so not every lamp below will apply to your car.

Quick Reference

Major Fault - Stop The Vehicle

This is the red STOP warning lamp. It comes on steadily together with another warning lamp, with a message on the screen and an audio signal. It means the car has detected a serious fault with the engine, the braking system, the power steering or the automatic gearbox, or a major electrical fault.

What to do:

• Stop somewhere safe.
• Stop the engine.
• Get help from a workshop.

Maximum coolant temperature

This is the red maximum coolant temperature lamp. When it stays on, the temperature of the cooling system is too high.

What to do:

• Stop the vehicle somewhere safe.
• Wait until the engine has cooled down, then top up the coolant if needed.
• If the problem continues, stop the engine and get help from a workshop.

Engine oil pressure (ICE, MHEV or PHEV)

This is the red engine oil pressure lamp, used on ICE, MHEV and PHEV versions. When it stays on, there is a fault with the engine lubrication system.

What to do:

• Have the cause of the fault put right by a workshop immediately.

System malfunction (MHEV, PHEV or BEV)

This is the red system malfunction lamp, used on MHEV, PHEV and BEV versions. When it stays on, there is a fault in the electric propulsion system.

What to do:

• If the fault affects how the car performs, have it put right by a workshop immediately.
• Alternatively, stop the engine and get help from a workshop.

12 V battery charge

This is the red 12 V battery charge lamp. When it stays on, the battery charging circuit is faulty, for example because of dirty terminals or a loose or broken alternator belt, and the 12 V battery charge level is low.

What to do:

• Clean and tighten the battery terminals.
• If the electric parking brake stops working, immobilise the car. With the eDSC6 automatic gearbox, move the gear selector to P.
• If the lamp is still on after you start the engine, have the fault put right by a workshop immediately, or stop the engine and get help from a workshop.

Braking

This is the red braking lamp. When it comes on steadily, it can mean that the brake fluid level has dropped significantly or that the electronic brake force distribution (EBFD) system is faulty. It can also come on steadily together with the Service warning lamp, with a message on the screen.

What to do:

If the brake fluid level has dropped:

• Top up the brake fluid with fluid that meets the manufacturer's recommendations.
• If the problem continues, stop the engine and get help from a workshop.

If it comes on with the Service warning lamp:

• Read the message shown on the screen.

If the EBFD system is faulty:

• Stop the engine and get help from a workshop.

Electric parking brake

This is the red electric parking brake lamp. When it stays on, the electric parking brake is applied. When it flashes, applying or releasing the parking brake is not working properly.

What to do:

If the lamp is steady:

• Release the parking brake before you drive off.

If the lamp is flashing:

• Park on flat, level ground.
• Select P on the automatic gearbox.
• Switch off the ignition and get help from a workshop.

Power steering

This is the red power steering lamp. When it stays on with an audio signal, the power steering has a fault.

What to do:

• Stop somewhere safe.
• Stop the engine and get help from a workshop.

Door(s) open

This is the red door open lamp. It stays on with a message telling you which door or opening is affected, because a door or the boot is not properly closed. Above 6 mph (10 km/h), an audio signal sounds as well.

What to do:

• Check the message to see which door or opening is affected.
• Close the door or boot properly.

Seat belts not fastened/unfastened

This is the red seat belt lamp. It comes on steadily or flashes, with an audio signal that gets louder, when a seat belt has not been fastened or has been unfastened.

What to do:

• Fasten your seat belt and make sure your passengers fasten theirs.

For PHEV versions

On PHEV versions, the temperature gauge has two zones. With the engine running, zone A means the temperature is correct and zone B means it is too high. When it is too high, the associated 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:

• Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Wait a few minutes before switching off the engine.
• After switching off the ignition, carefully open the bonnet and check the coolant level.

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 check the message on the screen. Even if the sound module that produces the warning tones has a fault, the warning lamp still lights up on the instrument panel, so always take a red lamp seriously. If in doubt, get help from a workshop.

Red lamps on your Peugeot 408 are there to protect you and your car. Knowing what each one means helps you react calmly and do the right thing. For full details on any system, check the relevant section of your handbook.

Related guides: Peugeot 408 I (2026-present) orange warning lights, Peugeot 408 I (2026-present) green and blue lights, Peugeot 408 Indicators: Red Warnings (general guide) and all Peugeot 408 guides.