What is the reason for the poor braking performance of the 2013 Peugeot 408?
3 Answers
Vehicle braking system's vacuum booster pump is damaged, the vacuum booster pump's pipeline is broken, and there is no vacuum inside the vacuum booster pump. The following is an introduction to the Peugeot 408: 1. Introduction to the Peugeot 408: The Peugeot 408 is a compact sedan produced by Dongfeng Peugeot. 2. The brand story of Dongfeng Peugeot: Peugeot Automobile Company is a long-established European automobile manufacturer. However, manufacturing cars is not the entire history of Peugeot. Peugeot has been involved in many areas of manufacturing, such as hardware tools, household utensils, crinolines, telescopes, nose pad springs for glasses, saw blades, surgical instruments, shotguns, radios, sewing machines, and more. Before the automobile era, the production scale of Peugeot bicycles, motorcycles, and transport vehicles was once quite large. After all, Peugeot's history can be traced back to the 15th century.
My 2013 Peugeot 408 had a terrifying issue where the brakes wouldn't stop the car. When driving, pressing the brake pedal felt either stiff or mushy with no response, likely due to severely worn brake pads losing friction. It could also be expired or leaking brake fluid absorbing moisture and introducing air, weakening braking force. The Peugeot 408's vacuum booster system is prone to failure - if pipes age and leak, losing vacuum assistance makes the pedal extremely heavy. Poor tire grip also affects braking, especially in rain or with incorrect tire pressure. Fellow owners mentioned warped/ridged brake rotors are common, making pad replacement alone ineffective. This is extremely dangerous - immediately visit a reputable repair shop for inspection before it causes an accident.
If the brakes don't work well, it's mostly due to poor daily maintenance. As someone used to driving older cars, I know that the brake pads on a 2013 Peugeot 408 typically need inspection and replacement every 30,000 kilometers—it's normal for braking to fail if they're too thin. Brake fluid should be replaced within two years; otherwise, moisture can cause air bubbles, making the pedal feel soft and weak. Brake system lines, especially vacuum hoses, are prone to aging—once cracked, the brake booster fails, leaving the entire system stiff and unresponsive. ABS failures are rare, but if the system can't prevent wheel lock-up, it will increase stopping distance. Additionally, worn tires or incorrect tire pressure can indirectly cause the car to slide farther and fail to stop properly. I recommend checking the brake fluid level monthly—if it's below the MIN line, top it up with fresh fluid or take it for repairs. Regular maintenance prevents major issues—don't wait until the brakes fail to regret it.
