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Problems with the ignition coils: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 37 faults with the ignition coils in 37 engines, affecting 210 models of car in our database. The most important by severity and frequency: ignition coil failure (1.4 and 1.6 16v, 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec, 1.4 Turbo and 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI and others), spark plug breakage on the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech turbo (1.2 PureTech) and injector, ignition coil and NOx sensor failures (N43) (BMW N43/N46). At an independent garage, the repair costs from €120 to €600 depending on the engine or car.[1][2]

Documented faults
37
3 of high or critical severity
Engines
37
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
210
car generations in our database
Garage repair
€120–€600
Depending on engine and car, including VAT

7 sourcesHow we work

How it works and why it fails

Ignition coils and spark plugs

On petrol engines, each coil generates the spark for its spark plug. Heat and vibration can make them fail, and the result is a cylinder that does not burn properly: jerking, uneven idle and the engine warning light, which flashes if the misfire could damage the catalytic converter.

What to do

If the engine warning light flashes, ease off and take it to a workshop: unburnt fuel overheats the catalytic converter. A diagnosis with an OBD reader shows which cylinder is misfiring. Change the spark plugs at their interval: worn plugs put extra strain on the coils.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with the ignition coils. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with the ignition coils by engine

From most to least important (severity × frequency). Each page details the affected versions and years, symptoms, cost and how to check for it.

  1. 1Medium 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
  2. 2High 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.
  3. 3Medium 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.
  4. 4Medium 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.
  5. 5Medium 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
  6. 6Medium 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
  7. 7Medium 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
  8. 8Medium severityFrequency: Common1.2 16vIgnition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light)The ignition coil is the engine fault that recurs most on the 1.2 16v: it appears independently on the Renault Clio II and Clio III, with misfires, jerking or the engine warning light coming on.
  9. 9Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSIIgnition coil failureIgnition coils are the fault that recurs most in owner reports for this engine, across all its versions. A weak coil causes misfires, jerking and the engine warning light; replacing it is a minor repair compared with the engine's other faults.
  10. 10Medium severityFrequency: Common2.0 FSIIgnition coil failureIgnition coils are the engine fault that owners of this 2.0 FSI report most often, in models as different as the Golf V, Passat B6, Leon II and Altea. They cause an unstable idle, the engine running on fewer cylinders and, at times, difficulty starting.
  11. 11Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.0 EcoBoostMisfires and engine warning light caused by the wiring harnessFord documented in a technical service bulletin that the engine wiring harness can rub against the exhaust heat shield on the 2018-2019 automatic EcoSport, which turns on the engine warning light with misfire fault codes. Spark plugs and coils are also common wear items on this turbocharged three-cylinder.
  12. 12Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.4 T-JetMisfires and ignition coil faultsOn the Alfa Romeo MiTo there are reports of misfires that owners attribute to the coils, spark plugs and the MultiAir itself all at once, with the engine light on; we do not find the same pattern with the same clarity on the other models with this engine.
  13. 13Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.2 / 1.4 / 1.8 i-VTECSpark plug working loose on the 1.4 i-VTEC engineSeveral 1.4 i-VTEC owners, in both the Civic VIII and the Civic IX, document a spark plug working loose in its seat (in one case it was ejected from the cylinder head while driving); the cases are few, but the same symptom recurs in two different generations.
  14. 14Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi PHEVSpark plugs and petrol engine software on the Outlander PHEV (campaign R3033111)The DVSA records a recall (R/2017/183) of 14,242 UK Outlanders (PHEV, judging by the defect) built between October 2013 and June 2015: the petrol engine may run poorly and, in the worst case, fail to start in order to charge the traction battery. It is fixed with software and new spark plugs.
  15. 15Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)Short-circuited ignition coil: the engine stalls and will not restartIn Micra and Note 1.2 DIG-S built between July 2015 and January 2016, a short circuit in the ignition coil could blow a fuse and stop the engine, which would then not restart. Nissan notified owners and the remedy is a new coil.
  16. 16Medium 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.
  17. 17Medium 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.
  18. 18Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.0 SCe (B4D)Jerking, rough idle or warning light from sensors and ignition coilsThe 1.0 SCe can jerk, run unevenly or light up the engine fault warning light because of sensor faults (lambda sensor), ignition coils or injection management. It is a recurring but minority issue in the sources consulted, unrelated to a mechanical problem with the engine block.
  19. 19Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.4 and 1.6 8vIgnition coil failureThe ignition coils fail in a minority of reports for the Clio II and the Dacia Sandero I with this engine, in a considerably smaller proportion than on the 16-valve evolution of the same block. They cause jerking and the engine warning light, but do not damage the engine.
  20. 20Medium severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 16v F4R and F4RTF4RT ignition coil failureIgnition coils are a recurring weak point of the Mégane RS 2.0 turbo F4RT: when they fail there is hesitation, rough running and misfires. It is an electrical part fault, not internal engine damage.
  21. 21Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSubaru bóxerShort-circuiting ignition coils on the Forester, XV and Impreza (2016-2019)Two British campaigns (2020 and 2021) affect 2,338 Forester, XV and Impreza cars built from September 2016 to October 2019: one reprograms the control unit because the coil stays powered after the engine is switched off, and the other replaces all the coils, which can short-circuit and leave the car unable to start.
  22. 22Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.2 TurboManufacturing defect in the ignition coils (early units)Yes: the first 1.2 Turbo units, built up to mid-2018, had a manufacturing defect in the ignition coils that caused misfires. Toyota corrected it in production; there are documented cases of several coils being replaced under warranty.
  23. 23High severityFrequency: RareM264/M254Engine control unit: misfire-detection software (loss of propulsion)Mercedes-Benz recalled the four-cylinder petrol engines with 48 V (C-Class 205, E-Class 213 and 238, GLC 253, CLS 257, from May 2019 to October 2023): the software could detect non-existent misfires when leaving coasting mode and cut the injection. It is corrected with a software update.Repair: €0
  24. 24High severityFrequency: RareM260Cylinder head wear and cylinder misfires (M260, isolated case)There is a documented complaint in Portugal about an M260 with combustion misfires (P0300, P0302), loss of power and a quote of around €6,000 for a cylinder head replacement. It is a single account and does not show that it is a widespread fault in Europe.Repair: €6,000
  25. 25Low severityFrequency: Common1.2 12VIgnition coil failureThe 1.2 12V ignition coils fail relatively often, with misfires, hesitation and the engine light coming on. It is the engine's most cited electrical fault, documented on several cars and brands.
  26. 26Low severityFrequency: Common1.8 T 20vIgnition coil failureYes: the ignition coils (one per cylinder) are among the most cited faults of the 1.8T, especially on engines built between 2001 and 2003. They cause hesitation, a rough idle and the engine warning light coming on; usually it is enough to replace the coil of the affected cylinder.
  27. 27Low 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.
  28. 28Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW N52 / N53N53 ignition coils from 2007-2008 (BMW service action)BMW replaced the coils of 2007-2008 N53 and N43 engines free of charge, because they could fail early through temperature and insulation problems and cause misfires. Autobild describes it as an issue not related to safety.
  29. 29Low severityFrequency: Occasional1.2 8v FireFaulty ignition coil (misfire, engine warning light)The 1.2 8v Fire's ignition coil can fail and switch on the engine warning light, with rough running; there is one documented case replaced at 40,000 km in the Fiat 500. It is one of the issues that recurs most in the sources consulted for this engine, though always in a minority of cases.
  30. 30Low severityFrequency: Occasional1.25/1.4/1.6 Ti-VCTMisfires from coils or spark plugsThere are documented cases of ignition coils replaced several times on the Ford Focus II (1.6 Ti-VCT) and of spark plugs changed at 60,000 km on the Ford Fiesta 1.25, which points to earlier-than-expected ignition system wear on some units.Appears at around 60,000 km
  31. 31Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMZR gasolinaMisfires from spark plugs and ignition coils in petrol MZR enginesSpark plugs appear among the fault points of the Mazda2 DE in the ADAC statistics cited by gebrauchtwagenberater.de, and fiches-auto.fr attributes the misfires of the Mazda3 1.6 to coils, spark plugs or sensors.
  32. 32Low severityFrequency: OccasionalM112 / M113Ignition coil failure and misfiresYes: an engine rebuilding workshop cites the ignition coils among the two weak points of the M113, and CarWiki records worn coils and spark plugs with misfires on the M112. With two spark plugs per cylinder, a failing coil can go unnoticed.
  33. 33Low severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16vIgnition coil failuresOn the Astra H, Zafira B and Insignia A, several owners of this engine (both the 1.6 and the 1.8) describe ignition coil failures, with loss of power and the engine warning light on. It is a cheap repair and there is no sign that it damages the rest of the engine.
  34. 34Low severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 Dual VVT-iIgnition coil failureOn the Verso with this engine, several owners document the failure of an ignition coil between 36,600 and 45,000 km, with the engine warning light on and jerking or loss of power; it is an isolated fault that is cheap to repair, not a problem that compromises the engine.Appears at around 36,600 km
  35. 35Low severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo 5 cilindros gasolinaFaulty ignition coils with misfiresOn the five-cylinder T5 of the Volvo C30, Total Renting attributes jerking and misfires to the coils and puts replacement at between 120 and 300 € including labour (in Spain).Repair (garage): €120–€300
  36. 36Low severityFrequency: Rare1.6 16v HR16DE / H4MNo documented pattern of chain, catalytic converter or coil failuresUnlike other turbo engines from the same alliance, the sources consulted do not document a pattern of timing chain, catalytic converter or ignition coil failures for this naturally aspirated block: across more than 100 combined accounts, these sections appear empty or, at most, with an isolated case.
  37. 37Low severityFrequency: Rare1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVTIgnition coil: no documented pattern of faultsNeither the German used-car specialists nor the testimonies from Swift, Ignis and Splash owners that we consulted describe ignition coil failures or misfires on the 1.2 VVT or the 1.2 Dualjet.

Engines with faults with the ignition coils

Ignition coils and spark plugs: compare prices in shops

Search for the part using the make, model and engine of your car: in the shop, the registration plate or VIN filters the parts that fit.

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Problems with the ignition coils by make

Problems with the ignition coils in your car

52 cars have several documented faults with the ignition coils. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect them, by engine and by year.

BMW 3
Citroën 6
Dacia 4
DS 2
Fiat 1
Ford 3
Opel 7
Peugeot 6
Renault 7
Seat 3
Škoda 4
Toyota 1
Volkswagen 5

How much it costs to repair a fault with the ignition coils

Sorted from the most expensive repair to the cheapest. Prices in Spain including VAT (parts and labour); what each figure includes is on its page.

How we calculate costs · The most expensive repairs across all engines

OBD fault codes with the ignition coils

The codes the ECU usually stores when this part fails: what they mean, causes and what to check.

Frequently asked questions

Which engines have the most faults with the ignition coils?

By severity and frequency, the 1.4 and 1.6 16v (ignition coil failure, medium severity), the 1.2 PureTech (spark plug breakage on the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech turbo, high severity), the BMW N43/N46 (injector, ignition coil and NOx sensor failures (N43), medium severity), the BMW N54/N55 (oil in the spark plug wells from the rocker cover gasket, medium severity), the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec (ignition coil failure, medium severity) and the 1.4 Turbo (ignition coil failure, medium severity). In total we have documented 37 engines with faults with the ignition coils.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with the ignition coils?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At an independent garage, from €120 to €600; at a dealer, from €0 to €6,000, including VAT, based on the 5 faults with a documented cost. The most expensive is cylinder head wear and cylinder misfires (M260, isolated case) (M260).

What symptoms does a fault with the ignition coils cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: engine fault warning light (check engine), jerking or juddering when accelerating, gradual loss of power, hard starting or engine will not start, engine stalls or cuts out while driving and increase in fuel consumption.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Problemas Volvo C30Total Renting · General press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Opel Mokka : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Mercedes-Benz - Problemas de fábrica no motor Mercedes M260 - suporte de custosPortal da Queixa · Owners' forum · published 24 June 2026 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Portuguese
  4. Opinión de propietario: Mercedes Clase A 250 224 CV (M260), 2019Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  5. Opel Corsa 4 : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Mercedes-Benz: Probleme mit der Software des MotorsteuergerätesÖAMTC · Consumer association · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  7. Antriebsverlust wegen Softwarefehler – Rückruf für 59.906 FahrzeugeMBpassion · Motoring press · published 31 July 2025 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German