Ignition Coil Replacement Cost
One coil or the full set? Here is what you will pay, which type your car uses, and how to confirm the coil is actually the problem.
Quick answer
One coil: $80 to $350 | Full set (4-cyl): $220 to $520
V6 full set: $330 to $780 | V8 full set: $440 to $1,040
Ignition Coil Replacement Cost Estimator
Get a personalized estimate based on your vehicle and coil type.
Replacing all coils at once saves on repeat labor visits
Estimated Total (1 coil)
$56
Range: $47 to $67
Parts
$30
Labor (0.3 hrs)
$26
DIY Savings
$26
Parts only: $30 (COP coils are one of the easiest DIY repairs)
You save vs dealership
$27
Replace One or All?
This is the mechanic debate that costs people money either way if they pick the wrong answer. One failed coil does not automatically mean the others need replacing. But if one fails at 80,000 miles, the others are the same age, have the same heat cycles, and are under the same stress.
Replace just the failed coil
$80 to $350
- +Lowest upfront cost
- +Fixes the confirmed fault immediately
- +Makes sense under 60,000 miles
- !Risk: another coil fails within months
- !You pay labor again for the next one
Replace the full set
$220 to $1,040
- +Pay labor once instead of repeatedly
- +All coils are new, same age again
- +No misfire surprises for years
- !2 to 3x the upfront cost
- +Best value if mileage is high
Honest recommendation: Under 60,000 miles with no other symptoms, replace just the failed coil. At 80,000 miles or more, replace all of them. The parts cost for a full set of aftermarket coils is $80 to $200 depending on engine. You are already paying the labor to be in there. Do it once properly.
Coil-on-Plug vs Coil Pack vs Distributor
The type of ignition system determines the part cost and whether you can replace one coil or must do a pack. Most cars built since 2000 use coil-on-plug systems.
| System | How it works | Part cost | Common on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil-on-Plug (COP)Most common | One coil sits directly on each spark plug. Dedicated coil per cylinder. | $30 to $80 each | Most cars and trucks built after 2000 |
| Coil Pack | One unit fires 2 to 4 cylinders via plug wires. One pack can fail and take out multiple cylinders. | $50 to $150 per pack | 1990s to early 2000s Ford, GM, VW, Audi |
| Distributor Coil | Single coil feeds a rotating distributor cap that routes spark to each cylinder in sequence. | $40 to $100 | Pre-1996 vehicles and some older Japanese engines |
COP advantage
One coil fails, the other cylinders keep firing. You get a P035X code telling you exactly which cylinder. Easy to diagnose and easy to replace.
Coil pack risk
A failing coil pack takes out 2 to 4 cylinders at once. The car may feel like it is barely running. The part is cheaper but one failure affects more of the engine.
Distributor coil
Cheapest part and a simple replacement. However, when it fails the entire engine stops firing. No partial misfire, just a no-start condition.
Misfire Codes Explained
A misfire code tells you where to look, not what to buy. The coil is the most likely cause, but confirming it takes one extra step.
P0300
Random or multiple cylinder misfire
Could be coils, plugs, injectors, or low compression. Start with the coil swap test.
P0351
Coil 1 primary/secondary circuit fault
Cylinder 1 coil circuit. Swap the coil first before buying a part.
P0352
Coil 2 primary/secondary circuit fault
Same logic as P0351. Swap the coil to confirm.
P0353
Coil 3 primary/secondary circuit fault
Check the wiring connector too. A cracked connector can cause this code.
P0354
Coil 4 primary/secondary circuit fault
On 4-cylinder engines, this is the last coil. Codes go up to P0362 on V8s.
P0316
Misfire detected on first startup
Often appears alongside P030X codes. Carbon buildup or a weak coil at cold temperature.
How to confirm the coil is actually bad: the swap test
- 1Scan the codes and note which cylinder is misfiring. Write it down.
- 2Let the engine cool down. Remove the coil from the misfiring cylinder.
- 3Move that coil to an adjacent cylinder that is not misfiring.
- 4Clear the fault codes using your scan tool or by disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes.
- 5Drive the car for 10 to 15 minutes through a mix of city and highway speeds.
- 6Scan again. If the misfire code has moved to the new cylinder, the coil is bad. If the misfire stayed on the original cylinder, the coil is fine and the plug, injector, or compression is the issue.
This takes 20 minutes and can save you buying a $60 coil you do not need.
DIY Rating: One of the Easiest Engine Repairs
Coil-on-plug replacement is genuinely beginner-friendly. If you can change an air filter, you can replace a coil. The only exceptions are engines where coils are buried under intake manifolds.
Standard COP on Most 4-Cyl and V8 Engines
- 1Locate the coils sitting on top of the spark plugs. They look like thick plastic cylinders.
- 2Unplug the electrical connector. Press the tab and pull straight out.
- 3Remove the single retaining bolt using an 8mm or 10mm socket.
- 4Pull the coil straight up. Some stick slightly from the rubber boot seal.
- 5Push the new coil straight down until it seats on the plug.
- 6Replace the bolt and reconnect the electrical connector. It clicks when seated.
Tools needed
8mm or 10mm socket, short extension, ratchet. That is it.
The front bank is easy. The rear bank on transverse-mounted V6 engines (Honda Accord, Toyota Camry V6, Chrysler 3.5L) sits against the firewall. Accessing those coils may require removing the intake plenum. Allow 1 to 2 hours and look up your specific engine before starting.
If the scan tool shows a coil driver fault rather than a simple coil circuit fault, the problem may be in the ECU. Replacing the coil will not fix it. Take it to a shop with proper diagnostic equipment before spending money on parts.
Labor savings by doing it yourself
Symptoms of a Failing Ignition Coil
A bad coil causes one cylinder to stop firing. The engine keeps running but you will notice it.
Rough idle or shaking
Early warningThe engine runs on fewer cylinders than it should. A 4-cylinder running on 3 shakes noticeably at a stop. The vibration usually smooths out above 1,500 RPM as the engine compensates.
Check engine light with misfire code
Diagnostic toolP035X codes point to a specific coil. P0300 means random or multiple misfires. Run the codes before replacing anything. A $30 Bluetooth OBD2 scanner will read these codes on your phone.
Poor acceleration or hesitation
Performance issueMissing a cylinder means missing power. The car feels sluggish when pulling out of junctions or getting up to highway speed. Often worse under load, such as climbing a hill.
Fuel smell from exhaust
Fix soonUnburned fuel passes through the misfiring cylinder straight into the exhaust. You may smell petrol from the tailpipe. This also damages the catalytic converter if left long enough.
Engine cuts out at idle
UnreliableA coil that works intermittently will cause the engine to stumble or stall at low RPM. It may run fine on the motorway but misfire every time you sit at traffic lights.
Worse fuel economy
Running costA misfiring cylinder means unburned fuel goes to waste. Over a week you may notice you are filling up more often without driving more miles. A noticeable MPG drop alongside a rough idle is a clear signal.
Full Set Cost by Engine Type
Parts pricing uses quality aftermarket coils at an independent shop. OEM coils from a dealership add 30 to 60 percent.
| Job | Parts | Labor | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 coil (any engine) | $30 to $80 | $50 to $100 | $80 to $350 |
| Full set, 4-cylinder | $120 to $320 | $100 to $200 | $220 to $520 |
| Full set, V6 | $180 to $480 | $150 to $300 | $330 to $780 |
| Full set, V8 | $240 to $640 | $200 to $400 | $440 to $1,040 |
| Full set, V6 (buried rear bank) | $180 to $480 | $250 to $450 | $430 to $930 |
Luxury coils (BMW, Mercedes, Audi) can run $80 to $150 each for OEM parts. A full V8 set from the dealer can exceed $1,200 before labor.
Common Questions
Should I replace just one ignition coil or the full set?
If the car has fewer than 60,000 miles, replacing just the failed coil is reasonable. At 80,000 miles or more, the other coils are the same age and already stressed. Replacing all of them costs 2 to 3 times more upfront but avoids the labor charge a second time when the next coil fails a few months later. Most experienced mechanics recommend replacing all coils once one fails past 80k.
What does a P0351 or P0352 code mean?
P0351 means the ECU detected a fault in the ignition coil circuit for cylinder 1. P0352 is cylinder 2, P0353 is cylinder 3, and so on. These codes point to a specific coil but do not confirm the coil itself is bad. The wiring connector or the coil driver in the ECU could also be the cause. Swapping that coil with an adjacent cylinder and re-reading codes is the quickest way to confirm before buying a part.
How do I know if it is the coil or the spark plug causing a misfire?
The coil swap test is the most reliable method. Move the suspect coil to a different cylinder and clear the codes. If the misfire code follows the coil to the new cylinder, the coil is bad. If the misfire stays on the original cylinder, the spark plug, injector, or compression is the real problem. This takes 10 minutes and can save you buying an unnecessary part.
Is replacing an ignition coil something I can do at home?
On most coil-on-plug engines, yes. Each coil sits directly on top of the spark plug and is held by a single bolt. Unplug the electrical connector, remove the bolt with an 8mm or 10mm socket, pull out the coil, and push in the new one. The whole job per coil takes about 10 minutes. You save $100 to $300 in shop labor depending on how many coils you replace.
Get 3 quotes before you book
Shop labor rates vary by 30 to 50 percent for the same ignition coil job. Tell each shop your engine size, how many coils you want replaced, and whether you want OEM or quality aftermarket parts. Ask for a total out-the-door price including parts and labor. Independent mechanics typically beat dealership quotes by $80 to $200 on a full set replacement.