PSA / Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2)Ignition coils and spark plugsSpark plugs
Spark plug breakage on the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech turbo on the 1.2 PureTech
Why this rating?
High severity: Risk of a serious engine, turbo or gearbox failure.
Frequency occasional: Autojournal records a spark plug replacement campaign in 2015, and fiches-auto.fr describes spark plugs weakened by knock on the 130 hp. A preventive campaign with a fix is not enough to raise the frequency, and in fiches-auto.fr's 308 reports with this engine there are only 8 ignition warnings out of 280 opinions, so we keep it at 'occasional'.[1][2][3]
Symptoms
- Misfires and loss of power, for example when climbing a hill on the motorway, until the spark plug is changed; an owner of a 308 with 16,500 km describes this.[3]Jerking: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- Engine warning light for ignition faults when a spark plug deteriorates; fiches-auto.fr links these to a heavily carboned engine.[2]Engine warning light: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
Why it happens
fiches-auto.fr explains that carbon build-up in the chambers raises compression and causes knock, and that the knock weakens the original spark plugs until they break; oil consumption by the engine makes the deposits worse.[2]
Autojournal only states that the 130 hp spark plugs 'can break' and cites a 2015 recall to replace them; we have not found the official notice, so we do not specify the scope of the campaign.[1]
If it is not repaired: If pieces of the spark plug fall into the cylinder, the engine can be damaged; Autojournal estimates the repair at around 7,000 €.[1]
Affected cars and years
The sources refer to the 130 hp 1.2 of the Peugeot 308 II; they do not confirm whether other power outputs or cars with the same engine are part of the 2015 campaign.[1][3]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 PureTech turbo 110 and 130 hp Euro 6.1 (EB2DT, EB2DTS, 2013-2018) | 2013–2018 | EB2DTEB2DTSHNZHNY |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Citroën
- Citroën C3 II2012–2016
- Citroën C3 III2016–2024
- Citroën C3 Aircross I2017–2024
- Citroën C4 II2013–2018
- Citroën C4 Cactus2014–2020
- Citroën C4 Picasso II2013–2022
- Citroën Berlingo II2013–2018
- Citroën C3 Picasso2013–2017
Opel
- Opel Crossland2017–2024
- Opel Grandland I2017–2024
Peugeot
- Peugeot 208 I2012–2019
- Peugeot 2008 I2013–2019
- Peugeot 308 II2013–2021
- Peugeot 3008 I2013–2016
- Peugeot 3008 II2016–2023
- Peugeot 5008 I2013–2017
- Peugeot 5008 II2017–2023
- Peugeot Partner II2013–2018
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Spark plug replacement: we have not found a published quote in Spain.[1]
If the breakage damages the engine, Autojournal (France) puts the repair at around 7,000 €.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
- Ask whether the spark plug replacement from the 2015 campaign was carried out and ask for the invoice or the dealer's proof.[1]
- Check the maintenance history: an engine that burns oil and carbons up encourages the knock that weakens the spark plugs.[2]
- Start from cold and accelerate under load; judder or the engine warning light deserve a diagnosis before buying.
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
This fault has a manufacturer recall: if your car is included, the repair is free at an official service centre. Check with the manufacturer before buying the part. View the recall
1.2 PureTech turbo spark plug set
Produce the spark in each cylinder; on this engine they were replaced under a 2015 campaign and the interval should be respected.
Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links
How to prevent it
Recalls, campaigns and claims
RecallPeugeot (según Autojournal) · 2015
Spark plug recall for the 1.2 e-THP/PureTech 130 (2015)
Replacement of the spark plugs on the 130 hp 1.2 of the Peugeot 308 II, according to Autojournal; we have not been able to consult the original notice.[1]
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Do the spark plugs on the 1.2 PureTech break?
Autojournal notes that the 130 hp ones can break and cites a 2015 recall; fiches-auto.fr links it to knock caused by carbon build-up. It is not a fault in every unit.[1][2]
What happens if a piece of spark plug falls into the cylinder?
It can damage the piston, cylinder and cylinder head. Autojournal calculates around 7,000 € of repair in that case, so any persistent judder should be dealt with without delay.[1]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 1.2 PureTech faults
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentTimingOil-bath timing belt degradationThe oil-bath belt on the 1.2 PureTech (2012-2025) can swell and shed debris that blocks the oil pump pick-up; without lubrication, the engine can be destroyed. Stellantis covers it up to 10 years or 180,000 km and asks for it to be changed every 100,000 km or 6 years.Repair (garage): €400–€800
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentLubricationLoss of braking assistance from vacuum pump damageOn 1.2 PureTech turbos built between 2013 and 2018, belt debris can damage the vacuum pump that feeds the brake servo and reduce braking assistance. There were two free recalls (2020 and 2022); it is worth confirming they were done.
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentLubricationExcessive oil consumption from carbon on the piston rings or oil separator failureThe 2014 to 2023 1.2 PureTech turbos can use too much oil: those from 2014-2018 through carbon blocking the piston rings and those from 2018-2023 through a defective oil separator. Stellantis considers more than 0.3 l per 1,000 km abnormal and includes it in its cover.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareFuelPossible petrol leak in the high-pressure circuit (chain-driven generation)In 2025 Stellantis recalled the new-generation 1.2 turbos (chain-driven, 100 and 136 hp, hybrids included) built from 2023 to 2025: a joint on the high-pressure pipe could leak petrol, with a risk of fire. It is fixed with a free re-tightening taking under 30 minutes.Repair: €0
- High severityFrequency: RareTimingTiming misalignment from the camshaft sprocket bolts (chain-driven generation)On the third-generation 1.2 (chain-driven) built up to 17 February 2024, the camshaft sprocket bolts could be incorrectly fitted and throw the timing out: engine warning light, loss of power and, in the worst case, contact between pistons and valves.
- High severityFrequency: RareLubricationFaulty piston cooling jets (naturally aspirated, 2022-2024)Stellantis recalled in France about 68,000 Peugeot 208, Citroën C3 and Opel Corsa models from 2022-2024 with the naturally aspirated PureTech because of faulty piston cooling jets: they cause noise and, in extreme cases, damage to the engine casing and oil on the exhaust. It is fixed with an oil and filter change.Repair: €0
More faults with the ignition coils on other engines and cars
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequent1.4 and 1.6 16vIgnition coil failureThe individual ignition coils are the most-cited fault of the K4J/K4M in the European Renault versions: they fail frequently and cause jerking, loss of power and the engine warning light coming on. It is a cheap electrical part to replace, not internal engine damage.Appears at around 30,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonBMW N43/N46Injector, ignition coil and NOx sensor failures (N43)On the direct-injection BMW N43, failures of the injectors, ignition coils (mainly in 2007-2008 units, now rare after a BMW service action) and the NOx sensor of its lean-burn combustion have been documented. The indirect-injection N46 does not have that sensor and does not suffer these failures.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonBMW N54/N55Oil in the spark plug wells from the rocker cover gasketOn the N54 and N55 the rocker cover gasket hardens with age and lets oil seep into the spark plug wells. Guides treat it as a known fault: it smells of burnt oil and can damage spark plugs and coils.
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.0/1.2/1.4 EcotecIgnition coil failureThe ignition coils on this engine fail fairly often in the Corsa, Astra, Meriva and Adam, causing jerking, the engine warning light and, in the clearest cases, the engine running on one cylinder fewer; the garage fixes it by replacing the affected coil.Repair (garage): €150–€480Appears at around 15,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 TurboIgnition coil failureThe ignition coils of the 1.4 Turbo fail fairly often on the Mokka and Meriva B, with jerking, occasional loss of power and the engine warning light on; the garage fixes it by replacing the affected coil or coils.Repair (garage): €400–€600Appears at around 47,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5Ignition coils that fail and cause jerkingThe ignition module -a rail with two twin coils, no distributor- is the electrical fault owners cite most across all models with this engine: it usually fails between 40,000 and 150,000 km and causes jerking, an unstable idle or the engine warning light coming on.Appears at around 40,000 km
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Peugeot 308 : quelles sont les pannes les plus fréquentes sur les 3 générationsAutojournal · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité du 1.2 PuretechFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité Peugeot 308 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French