Peugeot 3008 has only changed its generation once but has already gathered so many common problems that it’s hard to say if the car is reliable or not. One of the most common issues with this vehicle is gearbox failure, especially in the first-gen model. If something happens with the transmission, you will see the “Gearbox Fault. Repair Needed” error message on your dash.
The “Gearbox Fault” message in the Peugeot 3008 doesn’t always mean that the transmission has to be repaired. It may also be triggered by one of the sensors or gear selector. But it’s very important to have your vehicle inspected before it’s too late. The transmission has to be checked and the error code needs to be read once the error message pops up.
Here’s what I will cover in this article:
- Understanding the symptoms that come with “Gearbox Fault”.
- What are the common reasons for this message in your Peugeot 3008?
- Can you drive with the “Gearbox Fault” on the dash?
- Proper inspection and the right solutions when the transmission is at risk.
- How much is it to repair the gearbox problem in your Peugeot?
Symptoms that accompany “Gearbox Fault” in Peugeot 3008
It’s extremely important to register how exactly your car acts once you see this error message on the dash. The “Gearbox Fault” in your Peugeot SUV may be triggered by a minor problem like a bad sensor in the gear selector. But it may also be telling you about the low transmission fluid level or clutch issues that need to be resolved as soon as possible.
So, the key to low-risk driving, in this case, is to remember what changed in the behavior of your vehicle when the message popped up.
Here’s what you may need to notice:
- Did the car lose power? If it lost power, the vehicle may have gone into limp mode, so the problem is most likely serious and requires immediate attention.
- Can you still shift gears? Try shifting with the selector or paddle shifters, if you have them. If the transmission works well, it leaves some space for positive news.
- Can you start the vehicle? In bad cases, the vehicle will block the engine, the transmission, and even the steering wheel. You better have a phone number of a tow truck service, in this case.
- Do you hear any unusual noises? If the problem is mechanical and there is damage in the transmission or clutch system, you will hear grinding or whining noises from under the bonnet.
This error message is always triggered by a certain trouble code. It’s very helpful if you have an OBD2 scanner that can read this code. Such scanners now cost 20-30 euros and can communicate with your smartphone via Bluetooth, so you can get the information about the actual problem almost for free.
If you can read the code, google it and see what exactly fails in your car. Unfortunately, even these codes may sometimes be misleading. And if the problem is serious, you will still need to have the transmission inspected in a good garage.
What are the common reasons for “Gearbox Fault”?
First-gen Peugeot 3008 had an option of a DCT transmission (semiautomatic). This one is pretty faulty and up to 90% of cases when people saw “Gearbox Fault” on their dashes, they had exactly these dual-clutch transmissions with expensive clutch packs and a lot of common faults. If you own such a car, the transmission error message is most likely telling you about the clutch problem or some other issue with the unit.
The new generation of the 3008 (after 2016) has two types of Aisin automatic transmissions – 6-speed and 8-speed. Both are extremely reliable and almost problem-free.
Surprisingly, the “Gearbox Fault” message can even pop up in manual cars signaling about sensor problems, issues with the clutch, etc.
Here are the most common problems that can trigger this message in your Peugeot 3008:
1. Low transmission fluid level
Almost any transmission in the Peugeot 3008 can trigger this annoying message when the level of transmission fluid is low. This leads to bad shifting, overheating, poor lubrication, and other problems.
Unfortunately, checking the fluid level in any kind of transmission in this car is quite difficult – there is no dipstick for this. So, you will need to go to the dealership or to the trusted garage to have this done.
2. Gear selector issues
This problem can happen to all automatic models of the Peugeot 3008. It doesn’t really often happen to these vehicles, but can be triggered by water damage. If you spill some coffee onto the gear selector, it can damage the selector position sensor or connections. Sometimes, the best repair is installing the new selector module which is not going to be a cheap thing.
3. Software in old DCT
If you have the older 3008 with the semiautomatic transmission, it may just throw this message and stay in Neutral all the time. You need to turn the vehicle off, let it sit for a while, then turn it on again and check if the problem disappeared. Also, go to the dealership and ask them to update the software for the transmission to the latest version.
4. Clutch pack problems
Manual and semiautomatic transmissions have a clutch pack, so they may be worn out and they may trigger this problem. Once the control unit catches the transmission slipping, it will throw several codes and trigger the message on your dash. It’s not forbidden to keep driving, but if this happens to your vehicle, you shouldn’t ignore the problem. It will escalate quickly and you will most likely lose the possibility to drive your car.
5. One of the transmission sensors
Peugeot has never been famous for the reliability of its electronics. Some failures of sensors may kill this car immediately or make your driving really bad. Fortunately, it’s not hard to locate the faulty sensor just by using the good OBD2 scanner. Replacing the transmission sensors is not a hard task and it’s not going to cost you a fortune.
6. Battery issues
Several owners reported that they caught this message when their batteries appeared to be low or discharged. A dying battery will not provide all the functions and systems of the vehicle with the proper energy. However, in this case, it’s easy to locate the problem because the issue will show up before you start the engine.
After the engine is started, the alternator kicks in and starts supplying your vehicle with power. But if the alternator is faulty, the battery will still be trying to compensate and this also may lead to voltage problems and different error messages including the “Gearbox Fault” message in the Peugeot 3008.
Can you still drive when you see “Gearbox Fault” in the 3008?
Well, it depends on what’s happening with your car whenever you see the gearbox fault message. If your gear selector still works and you can shift from P to D or to R and the car moves, then, obviously, you can drive.
The question is if you can damage the transmission. And here it all depends on the type of the problem. If this is one of the sensors, the control unit, or the wiring, then everything is OK and you can safely drive. But if the problem is in the clutch and slipping transmission, you may need to stop the vehicle and call a tow truck.
The problems with Peugeot 3008 transmission (pre-2016 semiautomatic mainly) can lead to fatal damage to the gearbox if you keep driving. But how can you understand that the problem is not with the transmission?
If you can start the vehicle and select D on the shifter, do it. After that, press the gas pedal pretty sharply and look at the tachometer. Do you notice the tachometer needle go up without your car accelerating? Your clutch pack is dead and you should stop the vehicle and call for help.
In all other cases, you can carefully drive. But the best place you can drive to is a good garage or the dealership.
By the way, I recently posted an article about Vauxhall engine error message – you may want to have a look at it.
How much is it to repair the “Gearbox Fault” in your Peugeot 3008?
In the previous generation, replacing the clutch in the semiautomatic transmission is probably the most common repair and it will cost you more or less 1,000 euros for parts and another 500-700 euros for work. The prices may vary from one country to another. Peugeot dealerships will certainly take more money.
But if the reason for the problem is some minor issue like a sensor or just a software glitch, repairing the 3008 will be as chip as buying an ice cream, especially if you go to the independent garage.
To wrap up
The “Gearbox Fault” error message in your Peugeot 3008 is not a pleasant thing to encounter in the morning when you are starting the car to go to your job. But it may sound bad and not be that bad in reality. You need to follow the tips from this article to locate the problem. And then you may find a good mechanic who will solve this problem for you.
Although the semiautomatic transmission from the first-gen 3008 is the most obvious unit that may trigger this message, other transmissions, even manual ones, can also be the culprits.