2003 Peugeot 307 XSi 2.0 16v petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A poor product from a manufacturer that's lost its way

Faults:

Airbag warning light blinking (wiring fault)

Multiplex wiring loom on column stalks has caused endless trouble. Headlights sometimes won't turn on, wipers misbehave and indicator malfunction has to be seen to be believed. Horn sometimes goes off by itself. Technology for technology's sake - except it doesn't work properly.

Wiper mechanism groaned and then broke up. Replaced under warranty.

Idle speed erratic - sometimes idles at 2,000 RPM and other times stalls. Sometimes one followed by the other within a few seconds.

Engine pinks in hot weather. Dealer has tried three times (and failed three times) to fix.

Squeaks from footwell trim and tailgate.

Terrible radio reception.

General Comments:

I knew within a mile on the test drive that this car was a big backward step dynamically from the 306, but with a growing family, its extra space and practicality were a bonus. I was also reassured by the apparent improvement in quality over the 306, a car which always looked a bit cheap and cheerful inside.

Sadly after 30,000 miles, it's apparent that not only does the 307 suffer from a lot of the same faults as the 306 did, it has some new ones as well. Chief culprit is the stupid multiplex wiring system which, if I understand it correctly, runs the entire steering column controls through just a couple of wires, and uses an ECU to "sort" the signals. It doesn't work, and it's not just on the 307 either. A friend has a 406 which has been in four times for similar problems.

My 306 was by no means perfect, but at least it had the dynamic excellence, a Peugeot trademark, to help you forgive its problems. Peugeot have sacrificed this totally for sheer size, a nicely trimmed interior and an air of quality which unfortunately is only skin deep. Instead of sticking to what they were good at, they've killed their star quality and not adequately replaced it.

As soon as the finance hits half term it will be returned to the finance company. I can't live with this for three years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th March, 2004

2003 Peugeot 307 SW 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fault required a visit to the dealer with obvious inconvenience

Faults:

Climate Control not working on delivery.

Oil level Indicator intermittently show sump empty.

Drivers door window automatic window closer not working.

Keys occasionally 'lose there memory'

Odometer over reads (car has been recalled to fix this fault)

Retractable door mirror occasionally does not 'open'

General Comments:

Whilst all the above apart from the odometer are not major problems, they are problems which required a visit to the dealer, with the obvious inconvenience this entails.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th March, 2004

2003 Peugeot 307 SW 1.7 Automatic from Trinidad and Tobago

Summary:

A rough and uncomfortable drive

Faults:

The gears kick in quite rough. A very rough ride is experienced when gearing up and gearing down. I took the car into the dealer in Port of Spain and on three occasions they were not able to find any problems. Today March 23, 2004 I took the car in for the same problem and they found no problem, the car is still driving rough and the gear change is rough and uncomfortable.

General Comments:

The car has a comfortable interior and the customer service prior to purchase is excellent. The post sales service is poor and a rough ride for a car that is worth approx $140,000.00 (TT) dollars is unacceptable. Peugeot needs to identify the problem and fix it or replace the car. The vehicle was only purchased in July 2003. It is too early for problems like this.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd March, 2004

22nd Apr 2004, 17:16

I agree. Had my car since September 03 problem with the mileage. Swarf was found in the filters, despite having the fuel system replaced I am still not happy with the way the engine runs. I have complained about the suspension being very hard.

2nd Jun 2006, 19:46

I own the Peugeot 307SW 2006 model. I bought it in Nov 2005. The car has nice features and is also a good looking car. Problems :- YES!

1. Low oil level after 2 months. Same happened after 3 month. The dealer tried to give me an explanation, but at the end it sounded like my fault for topping up THEIR oil level with the manual's recommendations.

2. 7 Months on, and 7km - Overheating problem. A sensor failed on the radiator! And caused the car to overheat. Damage to the engine?

Still waiting for the dealer to give me back my money.. I deemed this car unreliable... I have a wife and child to think about...!