Why is my Peugeot 308 vibrating badly or showing the service light after a service?

Short answer: Severe shaking on a 308 after maintenance can be a worn crankshaft pulley, which has a rubber ring to soak up vibration. One owner's car was fixed by replacing it. A service light that comes back weeks after a service can mean low screen wash or low tyre pressure, so check those before booking another service.

Symptom: The car shakes hard at idle or while driving after recent work, or a service or warning light comes on soon after a service.

What to check first

1. Ask the shop what was removed during the service. A belt or mount disturbed during the job can cause shaking.
2. With the engine off, look at the crank pulley for cracked or bulging rubber.
3. Top up the screen wash and check the coolant, oil and brake fluid levels.
4. Check the tyre pressures against the label in the door jamb.
5. Read the owner's manual for what that exact symbol means.

Likely causes

1. Worn crankshaft pulley (harmonic damper). The pulley on the front of the crankshaft has a rubber ring that soaks up engine vibration. When the rubber wears, the engine shakes badly.
2. Engine mount or accessory belt problem. A worn mount or a belt put back wrong during service can also cause shaking.
3. Low screen wash or other fluid level. The dash can show a service or warning symbol for low fluids.
4. Low tyre pressure. Low tyre pressure can also bring up a warning after a service if the system wasn't reset.

What it usually costs

Owners in these threads didn't post prices.

Is it safe to keep driving?

A badly worn crank pulley can come apart and take the belt with it, which can stop the alternator and other parts. Get severe vibration checked soon. A low-fluid light is safe to drive with while you top up.

DIY or shop?

Fluids and tyre pressure are DIY. The crank pulley is a shop job on most 308s.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: The Peugeot 308 of these years wasn't sold in the US, so NHTSA has no recall or complaint data for it (its lookup returned no data for 2014-2016 on 2026-10-29). Check recalls with your country's official recall service or a Peugeot dealer using your VIN. Recall repairs are normally done free by the dealer.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 0 keyword-matched complaints for Peugeot 308 (not sold in the US) 2014–2016 (of 0 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-29; keywords: vibrat, shake, warning, light) (NHTSA returned no data for 6 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 2015 Peugeot 308 - Severe vibrations after maintenance, mechanics are at loss on Car Talk, a 2015 308 1.6 HDi diesel vibrated severely after maintenance and the mechanics were stuck. The fix turned out to be a new crankshaft pulley, because the old one's rubber had worn out.
• In Service light on 66 plate Peugeot 308 coming on weeks after a service on Car Talk, a 2016 308's service light came back weeks after a service. It went off after the owner topped up the screen wash and the tyres. Members noted the symbol can mean low fluids or tyre pressure, not just a service due.

Quick tip

If a car shakes right after a service, take it back to the same shop first. Something they touched is the best place to start.

Vehicle focus: Peugeot 308 (second generation), 2014-2021, including the 1.6 HDi diesel. Not sold in the US.

Safety / mechanic note

Severe vibration can mean a part is coming apart. Verify with a mechanic.