Ignition coils and spark plugs Citroën: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Citroën models it appears in.

- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.2 PureTechSpark plug breakage on the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech turboOn the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech/e-THP turbo the original spark plugs can break; if a fragment falls into the cylinder it can damage the engine. Autojournal cites a 2015 recall to replace them on the 308 II.
In Berlingo II, C3 II, C3 III, C3 Aircross I, C3 Picasso and C4 II and 2 more models
- 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
In Berlingo I, C2, C3 I, C4 I, Xsara and Xsara Picasso
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12Faulty ignition coilsIgnition coils are the fault reported by the press (gebrauchtwagenberater.de, CarsGuide) and by 16 of the 170 owner reviews of the 2.0 EW10; they also appear on the 2.2. A weak coil causes misfires, jerking and the engine warning light coming on.
In C4 I, C4 Picasso I, C5 I, C5 II, C8 and Xsara and 1 more model
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 THPSpark plugs and ignition coils that wear out early on the 1.6 THPOn the 1.6 THP turbo a noticeable minority of owners replace spark plugs and coils earlier than expected: fiches-auto.fr records ignition warnings in 12% of opinions on the 200 hp THP. It causes judder and the engine warning light.
In C4 I, C4 II and C5 II
- Low severityFrequency: Occasional1.0 PureTechIgnition coil and spark plug failureOn the 68 hp 1.0 VTi/PureTech, failure of the ignition coils or spark plugs occurs occasionally. It shows up as jerking when accelerating and an engine warning light. It can appear even at low mileage and is fixed without touching the engine.
In C3 II

By Citroën model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Frequently asked questions

What faults with the ignition coils do Citroën cars have?

In 18 models from Citroën there are 5 documented faults with the ignition coils. The most important: spark plug breakage on the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech turbo, ignition coils that fail and cause jerking and faulty ignition coils. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which Citroën models have the most problems with the ignition coils?

Citroën C4 I (3 faults), Citroën Xsara (2 faults), Citroën Xsara Picasso (2 faults) and Citroën C5 II (2 faults).

Which Citroën engines have faults with the ignition coils?

1.0 PureTech (1 fault), 1.2 PureTech (1 fault), 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 (1 fault), 1.6 THP (1 fault) and 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12 (1 fault).