PSA 2.0 16v EW10 and 2.2 16v EW12 (gasolina, 1999-2010)Ignition coils and spark plugs
Faulty ignition coils on the 2.0 and 2.2 16v EW10/EW12
Why this rating?
Medium severity: It can leave you stranded or get worse if ignored, without destroying the engine.
Frequency occasional: gebrauchtwagenberater.de says that on the 2.0 EW10 of the Peugeot 307 the coils cause problems "more often" than normal, and CarsGuide mentions occasional coil failures on the 407. On Fiches-auto.fr coils are cited in 16 of the 170 reviews of the 2.0 EW10 (206, 307, 406, C5, C8 and Xsara Picasso) and in 4 of the 56 of the 2.2 EW12. These are voluntary opinions, not a failure rate per unit sold, which is why it is rated "occasional".[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]
Symptoms
- The engine warning light comes on; on the 2.0 of the Citroën C8 the page links it to a faulty coil or ignition rail.[4]Engine warning light: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
- The engine runs "on three cylinders" or misfires: one C8 2.0 owner says his car kept running with one cylinder not working.[4]Jerking: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
Why it happens
The Fiches-auto.fr pages for the 2.0 of the Citroën C8 and the Peugeot 406 attribute the misfires to a worn coil (or ignition rail) and recommend fixing them promptly to avoid damaging the catalytic converter.[4][6]
gebrauchtwagenberater.de and CarsGuide agree in placing the coils among the most common electrical faults of the 307 with the 2.0 EW10 and of the 407, although they do not explain the specific cause of the deterioration.[1][2]
If it is not repaired: A sustained misfire sends unburnt petrol to the catalytic converter and can damage it, according to the pages for the Peugeot 406 and the Citroën C8.[4][6]
Affected cars and years
It appears in all variants: the 2.0 with 136 and 140 hp, the 2.0 with 177 hp (one review on the 206 S16 175 hp and another on the 307 180 hp) and the 2.2 EW12 (406, 407 and 607).[3][5][6][7][8]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 16v 136 hp (EW10J4, RFN/RFR, 1999-2005) | 1999–2005 | RFNRFR |
| 2.0 16v VVT 140-143 hp (EW10A, RFJ, 2004-2011) | 2004–2011 | RFJ |
| 2.0 16v VVT 177 hp (EW10J4S, RFK, 2003-2008) | 2003–2008 | RFK |
| 2.0 HPi 140 hp direct injection (EW10D, RLZ, 2001-2004) | 2001–2004 | RLZ |
| 2.2 16v 158-163 hp (EW12J4, 3FZ/3FY, 1999-2010) | 1999–2010 | 3FZ3FY |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Citroën
- Citroën Xsara2000–2006
- Citroën Xsara Picasso1999–2009
- Citroën C4 I2004–2008
- Citroën C4 Picasso I2006–2009
- Citroën C5 I2001–2007
- Citroën C5 II2008–2009
- Citroën C82002–2010
Peugeot
- Peugeot 2061999–2009
- Peugeot 3072001–2008
- Peugeot 4061999–2004
- Peugeot 4072004–2011
- Peugeot 6071999–2010
- Peugeot 8072002–2010
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Replacement of the coil or ignition module, parts and labour[3]
We have not found any published quote in Spain for this repair on these engines, so the site shows "No reliable data".
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
- Start it from cold and leave the engine idling for a couple of minutes: an uneven shake or a flashing engine light betrays an active misfire.
- Ask whether the coils and spark plugs have been changed and ask for proof; if the car has the emissions warning light on, have a garage check it with an OBD reader before buying.
Parts needed
The part or kit that fixes this fault, according to the sources.
Ignition coil or module
Generates the spark that ignites the mixture in each cylinder; it is the part that is replaced when the ignition fails.
Spark plug set
They are changed at the same time as the coil so that a worn electrode does not put extra strain on the ignition.
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How to prevent it
- Change the spark plugs at the manufacturer's interval and deal with any misfire as soon as possible to protect the catalytic converter.[6]
Recalls, campaigns and claims
As of 9 October 2026, we have no record of recalls, campaigns or extended manufacturer warranties for this fault. Check with an official dealer using the chassis (VIN) number: they will tell you whether the car has any outstanding campaign.
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with a faulty ignition coil in my 2.0 16v?
In the short term the car can move, but with misfires the unburnt fuel reaches the catalytic converter and can damage it; the Fiches-auto.fr pages for the 406 and the C8 call for misfires to be fixed as soon as possible.[4][6]
What symptoms does a faulty ignition coil cause in a Peugeot or Citroën 2.0 16v?
According to the Citroën C8 2.0 page, a faulty coil or ignition rail causes misfires, the engine warning light and unburnt petrol in the catalytic converter; one owner says his car kept running "on three cylinders".[4]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
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
- 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.
- 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
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Peugeot 307 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 November 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
- Peugeot 407 problems (reseña de Graham Smith)CarsGuide (Australia) · Motoring press · published 17 March 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
- Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 307 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C8 2002-2015 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 206 1998-2006 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 406 1995-2004 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 407 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 607 2000-2011 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Peugeot 807 2002-2014 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C4 2004-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Citroën C5 2001-2008 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- Tous les problèmes sur Citroën Xsara Picasso 1999-2010 (opiniones por motorización)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French