The Peugeot 505 spans 1981–2026 with 9 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1989, 1988, 1986 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1981, 1983, 1984. It delivers up to 26 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Peugeot 505 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Peugeot 505 VIN — every digit explained
Every Peugeot 505 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Peugeot and the country it was built in (real Peugeot codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this 505.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- FranceVF3 · VGA
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your 505, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Peugeot 505 have?
The Peugeot 505 has 9 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1992 Peugeot 505 recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
What's wrong. The corrosion protection of the fuel tank mounting deteriorates allowing water and foreign material to corrode the tank mounting flange directly.
Risk. Over an extended period of time, this corrison can weaken the flange causing it to break allowing the fuel tank to drop and contact the surface of the ground. The tank could then rupture and result in a vehicle fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the fuel tank mounting flange cradle.
1991 Peugeot 505 recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
What's wrong. The corrosion protection of the fuel tank mounting deteriorates allowing water and foreign material to corrode the tank mounting flange directly.
Risk. Over an extended period of time, this corrison can weaken the flange causing it to break allowing the fuel tank to drop and contact the surface of the ground. The tank could then rupture and result in a vehicle fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the fuel tank mounting flange cradle.
1990 Peugeot 505 recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
What's wrong. The corrosion protection of the fuel tank mounting deteriorates allowing water and foreign material to corrode the tank mounting flange directly.
Risk. Over an extended period of time, this corrison can weaken the flange causing it to break allowing the fuel tank to drop and contact the surface of the ground. The tank could then rupture and result in a vehicle fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the fuel tank mounting flange cradle.
1989 Peugeot 505 recalls 2
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
What's wrong. The corrosion protection of the fuel tank mounting deteriorates allowing water and foreign material to corrode the tank mounting flange directly.
Risk. Over an extended period of time, this corrison can weaken the flange causing it to break allowing the fuel tank to drop and contact the surface of the ground. The tank could then rupture and result in a vehicle fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the fuel tank mounting flange cradle.
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. Possible overloading of rear axle if the vehicle is loaded with 8 people plus cargo.
Risk. Overloading of the rear axle will result in difficultvehicle handling, and could result in loss of control of the vehicle and anaccident.
Fix. Install corrected placard
1988 Peugeot 505 recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
What's wrong. The corrosion protection of the fuel tank mounting deteriorates allowing water and foreign material to corrode the tank mounting flange directly.
Risk. Over an extended period of time, this corrison can weaken the flange causing it to break allowing the fuel tank to drop and contact the surface of the ground. The tank could then rupture and result in a vehicle fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the fuel tank mounting flange cradle.
1986 Peugeot 505 recalls 1
Electrical System
What's wrong. Retaining bolts used throughout the car which ground certain electrical systems and components were improperly heat treated, making the bolts brittle and subject to breakage. Consequence of defect: depending on bolt which fails, the vehicle will experience loss of power to the fuel pump, front and rear lighting, windshield wipers, dashboard lights and/or interior accessories without warning. Loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the car to stall which may present a highway hazard. Loss of lights and/or windshield wiper action may prevent the driver from having clear vision of the road or have the car be visible to other traffic which may lead to an accident.
Fix. Install replacement bolts which are properly heat treated.
1985 Peugeot 505 recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
What's wrong. The fuel caps on the involved vehicles do not seal properly and are not in compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity." contact with fuel causes the fuel cap gasket to swell, preventing adequate sealing between cap and filler opening.
Fix. A replacement cap will be sent to each owner of an affected vehicle, free of charge.
1984 Peugeot 505 recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
What's wrong. The fuel caps on the involved vehicles do not seal properly and are not in compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity." contact with fuel causes the fuel cap gasket to swell, preventing adequate sealing between cap and filler opening.
Fix. A replacement cap will be sent to each owner of an affected vehicle, free of charge.
Best and worst years for the Peugeot 505
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 46 tracked years, the worst years are 1989, 1988, 1986 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1981, 1983, 1984.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 505 | — | Best | |
| 1982 505 | Power Train | Average | |
| 1983 505 | — | Best | |
| 1984 505 | — | Best | |
| 1985 505 | Electrical System | Average | |
| 1986 505 | Tires | Avoid | |
| 1987 505 | — | Average | |
| 1988 505 | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 1989 505 | Fuel System | Avoid | |
| 1990 505 | — | Average | |
| 1991 505 | — | Average | |
| 1992 505 | — | Average | |
| 1993 505 | — | Average | |
| 1994 505 | — | Average | |
| 1995 505 | — | Average | |
| 1996 505 | — | Average | |
| 1997 505 | — | Average | |
| 1998 505 | — | Average | |
| 1999 505 | — | Average | |
| 2000 505 | — | Average | |
| 2001 505 | — | Average | |
| 2002 505 | — | Average | |
| 2003 505 | — | Average | |
| 2004 505 | — | Average | |
| 2005 505 | — | Average | |
| 2006 505 | — | Average | |
| 2007 505 | — | Average | |
| 2008 505 | — | Average | |
| 2009 505 | — | Average | |
| 2010 505 | — | Average | |
| 2011 505 | — | Average | |
| 2012 505 | — | Average | |
| 2013 505 | — | Average | |
| 2014 505 | — | Average | |
| 2015 505 | — | Average | |
| 2016 505 | — | Average | |
| 2017 505 | — | Average | |
| 2018 505 | — | Average | |
| 2019 505 | — | Average | |
| 2020 505 | — | Average | |
| 2021 505 | — | Average | |
| 2022 505 | — | Average | |
| 2023 505 | — | Average | |
| 2024 505 | — | Average | |
| 2025 505 | — | Average | |
| 2026 505 | — | Average |
What are the most common Peugeot 505 problems?
The most-reported Peugeot 505 problems are Tires (1 reports), Gasoline (2 reports) and Fuel System (2 reports) — out of 6 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Fuel System 2 Read
Fuel tank has metal bracket that supports tank. At front rubber piece connects the two broke resulting in gas tank hitting ground while in motion. Tt
Gas tank bolt rusted out, resulting in gas tank disconneted and fell down. Tt
Gasoline 2 Read
Fuel tank has metal bracket that supports tank. At front rubber piece connects the two broke resulting in gas tank hitting ground while in motion. Tt
Gas tank bolt rusted out, resulting in gas tank disconneted and fell down. Tt
Electrical System 2 Read
While parked, wiring under the hood ignited, resultin gin an electrical fire. *ak
Intermittent stalling due to faulty wire to electronic control unit. *tw
Tires 1 Read
I bought 5 kelly ultra tech 175r14 tires from coker tires. 1317 chestnut street, chattanooga, tn. 37402. 5/28/2002 original order number 901887. I have had nothing but problems with these tires developing bulges on the treads. They replaced 2 tires at no charge. When they developed bulges on the treads. Then i had another one develop a bulge. Which i had not contacted them about. And replaced with a spare. In the last week i have had both front tires begin to bulge and contacted coker tire. They refused to replace them or credit them back. Saying they no longer stocked the tire. So i went to sears and had them replaced with another brand for safety reasons. The 2 tires i have remaining one on the rear and one not even mounted. I have no idea if they are defective. I have posted pictures of the tires i now have and the obvious defects they are showing in the treads. At this site: http://www.geocities.com/daddy202dearest/defective_tires__from_coker_tire.htm *la
Power Train 1 Read
Fan axle hub sheared off with fan falling off into other engine components, causing vehicle to lock up. Tt
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Peugeot 505 specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Peugeot 505. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Peugeot 505 window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Peugeot 505 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the 505 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 93 cu ft of passenger volume and 54 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Peugeot 505 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Peugeot 505 get?
The Peugeot 505 returns up to 26 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,000/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1989 Peugeot 505 (2.9L 6-cyl) gets 18 mpg combined and costs about $4,300/yr to fuel, emitting 494 g/mi CO₂ — about $10,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 505 | 16 | 20 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 2.9L 6-cyl | |
| 1988 505 | 16 | 20 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 2.9L 6-cyl | |
| 1987 505 | 16 | 20 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.9L 6-cyl |
The 1992 Peugeot 505 (2.2L 4-cyl) gets 18 mpg combined and costs about $3,450/yr to fuel, emitting 494 g/mi CO₂ — about $6,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 505 | 17 | 19 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 1991 505 | 16 | 20 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 2.1L 4-cyl | |
| 1990 505 | 16 | 20 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 2.1L 4-cyl | |
| 1989 505 | 16 | 22 | $4,050 | 468 | — | 2.1L 4-cyl | |
| 1988 505 | 17 | 20 | $3,300 | 468 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 1987 505 | 21 | 25 | $3,400 | 443 | — | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 1986 505 | 24 | 30 | $3,000 | 392 | — | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 1985 505 | 24 | 30 | $3,000 | 392 | — | 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 1984 505 | 23 | 27 | $3,150 | 407 | — | 2.3L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the 505 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this 505's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Peugeot 505 have? Power & range
The Peugeot 505 is offered with 2 powertrains — 2.9L 6-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 2.9L · 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Premium |
| 4-cyl | 2.2L · 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Peugeot 505 cost to own?
A Peugeot 505 depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Check what a used 505 is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this 505 loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $15,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the 505 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Peugeot 505 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the 505 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Peugeot 505 last?
A well-maintained Peugeot 505 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Peugeot 505’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this 505’s VIN free →All Peugeot 505 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Peugeot 505 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2025 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2024 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2023 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2022 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2021 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2020 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2019 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2018 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2017 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2016 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2015 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2014 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2013 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2012 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2011 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2010 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2009 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2008 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2007 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2006 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2005 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2004 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2003 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2002 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2001 505 | 0 | — | |
| 2000 505 | 0 | — | |
| 1999 505 | 0 | — | |
| 1998 505 | 0 | — | |
| 1997 505 | 0 | — | |
| 1996 505 | 0 | — | |
| 1995 505 | 0 | — | |
| 1994 505 | 0 | — | |
| 1993 505 | 0 | — | |
| 1992 505 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1991 505 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1990 505 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1989 505 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 1988 505 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1987 505 | 0 | — | |
| 1986 505 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1985 505 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1984 505 | 1 recall | — | |
| 1983 505 | 0 | — | |
| 1982 505 | 0 | — | |
| 1981 505 | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the 505?
By owner-complaint volume, 1989, 1988, 1986 drew the most reports. 1981, 1983, 1984 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the 505 have?
9 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the 505 get?
Up to 26 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a 505 last?
A well-maintained 505 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the 505 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the 505 is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Peugeot 505 warranty?
New Peugeot models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Peugeot dealer.
Where is the Peugeot 505 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your 505's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Peugeot may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the 505 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.