Peugeot 406 reliability
The Peugeot 406 fails its MOT about as often as most cars over 10 years old: 41.9% of 3,950 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.
12 DVSA recalls for the Peugeot 406
Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.
Fuel may leak
It has been identified that a batch of high pressure fuel injection pumps supplied as spare parts may not have been manufactured to specification. As a result a fuel leak may occur.
Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the subject fuel injection pumps changed.
Recalled models: 406 · 16 vehicles
Fuel may leak
Due to a potential fault in the engine management system an internal engine fuel leak via the injectors may occur following switching off. This would result in the engine failing to restart due to excess fuel being present in the inlet manifold or cylinders.
Fix: To address the issue recalled vehicles will receive an engine management download.
Recalled models: 406 · 4,338 vehicles
Possible incorrect wiring of side air bags and seat belt pretensioners
There is a possibility that the connections for the side airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners may have been inverted on the connectors for the airbag ECU. In the case of an impact there is a risk that the incorrect side airbag could be triggered.
Fix: Check and if required change over the wires concerned in the airbag connector.
Recalled models: 406 · 102 vehicles
Incorrect wiring of lateral airbags and seat belt pretensioners
There is a possibility that the connections for the side airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners may have been inverted on the connectors for the airbag ECU. In the case of an impact there is a risk that the incorrect side airbag could be triggered.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles and reverse the wires concerned in the Air Bag Connector
Recalled models: 406 · 35,881 vehicles
Water may enter cooling fan - risk of fire.
There is a possibility that water may collect within the casing of the cooling fan and in a limited number of cases an under-bonnet fire.
Fix: Fit a modified cooling fan assembly.
Recalled models: 406 · 21,133 vehicles
Possible reduction in braking assistance plus engine operating problems.
In adverse wet weather conditions water may enter the engine management solenoid valve operating circuit. This could result in engine operating problems and a reduction in power assistance to the brake pedal if the water enters the brake vacuum circuit via the solenoid valves.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles to examine and if necessary replace the engine management solenoid valves with ones sealed against the ingress of water.
Recalled models: 406 · 41,175 vehicles
Failure of camshaft drive belt
The camshaft drive belt may fail before the recommended replacement interval of 72000 miles. This could result in a complete loss of engine power without warning.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles and fit a quality assured replacement camshaft drive belt.
Recalled models: 406 · 9,494 vehicles
Brake servo vacuum pipe
Brake servo vacuum pipe may become damaged due to chafing on engine wiring harness. This could result in a loss of braking assistance.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles replace and reposition the servo vacuum pipe to avoid further chafing.
Recalled models: 406 · 202 vehicles
Rear suspension fixing bolts
Incorrect specification rear suspension arm pivot fixing bolts could fail under arduous operating conditions possibly resulting in the rear wheel locking.
Fix: Recall potentially affected vehicles examine the pivot fixing bolts and renew with ones of correct specification where necessary.
Recalled models: 406 · 3,372 vehicles
Brake pedal assembly may disengage
There is a possibility that the nuts securing the support for the brake pedal assembly may be loose or missing with a risk of disengagement of the support and loss of braking control during hard braking.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles and if required replace or tighten the nuts on the pedal return support.
Recalled models: 406 · 487 vehicles
Possible failure of road wheel
It has been identified that there is a possibility that the inner edge of the alloy wheels may have been deformed when fitting the tyres. This may result in the wheel breaking.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles check the wheels for damage with a special gauge and renew where necessary.
Recalled models: 406 · 834 vehicles
The steering column harness may foul on steering column
On some 406 models the steering column wiring harness may foul on the steering column and lead to electrical malfunction.
Fix: The affected vehicles are being recalled to Peugeot dealers to have the subject harness repositioned.
Recalled models: 406 · 13,387 vehicles
Checking a Peugeot 406 before you buy
Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.