What does this cost in your state?
California is the costliest state and Arkansas the cheapest; each square shows that state's midpoint of the estimate.
Lower-cost states ($226)MiddleHigher-cost states ($287)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $287 and AR the lowest at $226, across 51 states.
Counts below are complaints filed with NHTSA, not failure rates: a longer bar means more owners reported it.
Is your car affected?
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is 50,000-100,000 (53%). The biggest difference from all complaints is under 50,000: 20% against 60%.
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is 6-9 years (53%). The biggest difference from all complaints is under 3 years old: 9% against 40%.
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
932 owner complaints name this part.
Owners say the dealer could not fix or repeat the problem. If it comes back after a repair, ask what was tested before you pay again.
Which trouble codes do owners report?
P0302 Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected leads at 27.
The code owners quote most is P0302. Read your own code from a scan and give the shop the exact code, not only "the light is on".
What do owners say it led to?
Among the 932 owner complaints naming this part, owners most often say engine damage followed.
What owners say happened after the problem. Engine damage: 34 (4%); Loss of power: 27 (3%); Stalled while driving: 7 (1%).
If your car shows the signs above, get it checked before it gets as far as engine damage.
Which other parts do owners name in the same complaint?
Among the 932 owner complaints naming this part, spark plug is named in 68% of them, more than any other part.
Owners name the spark plug most often in the same complaint, which is not proof that one caused the other. Ask the shop whether it checked the spark plug too, so you are not quoted twice for one visit.
What did owners say they paid?
Half of the 21 owners who wrote a dollar amount gave $764 or less; one in ten wrote more than $4,500.
These are bills owners wrote down, often covering more than this one repair. They show how far a job can run; get written quotes for your own car.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
55 mph or faster leads at 41%.
Owners reported it most often at highway speed. Tell the shop what speed it happens at, because that narrows the diagnosis.
How serious did it get for owners?
Among the 932 owner complaints naming this part, being towed is the outcome owners report most often.
What it shows: Towed is the largest at 37, followed by Fire reported at 5; the smallest shown is Crash reported at 2.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 932 owner complaints naming this part that state a model year, complaints cluster in a few model years instead of spreading evenly.
What it shows: 2017 is the largest at 293 (31%), followed by 2015 at 89 (10%); the smallest shown is 2024 at 4 (0%).
Is this repair covered by an emissions warranty?
Federal rules require carmakers to cover the catalytic converter, the emissions computer and the onboard diagnostic system for 8 years or 80,000 miles, and any part whose failure fails an emissions test for 2 years or 24,000 miles; California requires 3 years or 50,000 miles on every emission part.
| Warranty | Covers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| California, all emission parts | All emissions-related parts | 3 years or 50,000 miles |
| California, high-cost parts | Specific high-cost emission parts listed in the owner manual | 7 years or 70,000 miles |
| Federal, basic | Any part that causes an emissions failure | 2 years or 24,000 miles |
| Federal, extended | Catalytic converters, electronic emissions control unit (ECU), onboard emissions diagnostic device or computer (OBD) | 8 years or 80,000 miles |
Which engine sizes show up most in complaints about this part?
Among 923 owner complaints about this part where the VIN identifies the vehicle, 23% involve engines of under 1.6 L, against 11% of complaints about all the parts we track.
What it shows: 1.6 to 2.0 L is the largest at 47%, followed by under 1.6 L at 23%; the smallest shown is over 5.0 L at 3%.
What do emissions repairs cost?
Among 46,033 California vehicles repaired to pass a Smog Check in 2025, 39.1% cost over $650 to fix and the average bill was $757.
What it shows: Over $650 is the largest at 39.1%, followed by $1 to $100 at 13.1%; the smallest shown is $501 to $650 at 8.4%.
Do ignition coil replacement problems track solo operators as a share of all auto repair businesses across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about ignition coil replacement run higher where solo operators as a share of all auto repair businesses is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that solo operators as a share of all auto repair businesses causes this repair.
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new electrical and electronic engine equipment parts rose 57.0% from December 2019 to August 2026, while the consumer price index for motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together, rose 55.2% (BLS, national).
Prices of new electrical and electronic engine equipment parts, as shops buy them from makers, since December 2019, against consumer prices for motor vehicle repair. New electrical and electronic engine equipment parts: +57.0%; All motor vehicle parts: +17.4%; Motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together: +55.2%.
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 2 foreign recall campaigns that name ignition coil with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Hyundai Motor America in 2024-07.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-07 | Hyundai Motor America | 154 | Description of the defect/noncompliance: The ignition coil(s) equipped in the subject vehicles may have been installed using improper bolts, increasing the risk of insufficient grounding of the ignition coil assembly. |
| 2022-01 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 003 | Enclosures Foreign Safety Recall Report Date: January 20, 2022 Foreign Safety Recall / Other Safety Campaign Report Subject: Ignition coil issue on certain Toyota vehicles 1. |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 1 NHTSA recalls that name ignition coil filed 2015 to 2024, 90.0% of the 466,205 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 46,620 vehicles still carrying the defect.
| Year | Vehicles | Recalled vehicles | Repaired | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Subaru Crosstrek, Impreza | 466,205 | 90.0% | software |
Does my engine design make this repair more likely?
EPA's Automotive Trends data show turbocharged gasoline engines in 44.4% of new gasoline cars in model year 2024 against 1.4% in 2005, and turbo engines run hotter and wear spark plugs and coils sooner (sales-weighted national shares).
| Model year | Turbocharged | Direct fuel injection | Average cylinders | Average horsepower |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1.2% | 0.0% | 5.7 | 181 |
| 2005 | 1.4% | 0.0% | 5.8 | 209 |
| 2010 | 2.6% | 8.3% | 5.3 | 214 |
| 2014 | 13.8% | 37.8% | 5.1 | 231 |
| 2018 | 29.6% | 60.5% | 5.0 | 239 |
| 2021 | 31.8% | 72.1% | 5.0 | 251 |
| 2024 | 44.4% | 79.5% | 4.7 | 247 |
Has the maker published a fix?
A bulletin is a repair procedure a maker sends its dealers, not a safety defect: if your maker is listed, ask the dealer whether one covers your car and quote its number.
| Maker | Vehicles | Bulletin number | Date | What it says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi | Outlander Phev 2021–2022; Eclipse Cross 2019–2022 and 2 more | TSB-22-16-001 | Mar 9, 2022 | This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers directing them upon customer complaint basis and after diagnosis, to replace the ignition coils of all cylinders with countermeasure parts when customers report a MIL illumination and a loss of engine power. |
| Alfa Romeo | Giulia 2021–2022; Stelvio 2021–2022 | 0900222 | Jan 25, 2022 | Ignition Coil Double Wire Causing Misfire This bulletin involves replacing all four ignition coils. |
| BMW | 740e 2017–2019; 540d 2018–2020 and 15 more | B121320 | Dec 1, 2020 | Replace all the ignition coils: The ignition coils may not have been produced to specifications which could lead to irregular running of the engine. |
| Jeep | Cherokee 2015–2019; Renegade 2015–2018 and 1 more | 08-027-20 | Mar 4, 2020 | 2.4L Ignition Coil Boot Replacement This bulletin involves replacing all four ignition coil insulating boots. |
| KIA | Forte 2017–2018 | TSBENG181 | Dec 12, 2017 | TSB - SERVICE ACTION: Ignition coil or coil rfi spring replacement for dtc P030X (SA321) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace all four (4) ignition coils or replace all four (4) coil radio frequency interference (RFI) springs on some 2017-2018MY. |
| Hyundai | Sonata Hybrid 2016 | TZ4 DCS | Feb 8, 2016 | Service Campaign TZ4 2016 Sonata Hybrid Ignition Coil Replacement (TSB# 16-01-003) Dealer Stock- Hyundai Motor America is conducting a Service Campaign to replace the ignition coils on certain dealer stock 2016 Model Year Sonata Hybrid vehicles. |
4 more bulletins name this part; the car finder at the top checks yours, and the NHTSA bulletin file linked below lists them all.
What do owners say?
4 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
Their diagnosis confirmed: "coil pack burn and burned the #2 injector and harness and valve cover." Despite the federal mandate that recall-related failures be handled at no cost, the dealership attempted to charge me over $2,000 for the diagnosis and repairs.
I had ignition coils and plugs replaced twice over $600,00 cost each time.
November 2024 in the shop ( sensor ) December 2024 in the shop ( sensor ) NO CHARGE July 8, 2025 car had to stay overnight ( ignition coil $300 ) Service told me the Mechanical Warranty Expired in June.
I spent $140 diagnosis fees for them to say it was ignition coil B.
Check your car
Our calculator's default estimate is $208–$311 for one coil at a chain shop, which is parts plus 0.6 hours of labor at $120 an hour. The number of coils you replace moves the price far more than the shop does.
What does the ignition coil estimate cover?
The default row is one coil on a typical car at a chain shop: the part and 0.6 hours of labor to swap it. That fits the common case where a scan points at one cylinder and a single coil fails.
It leaves out the diagnosis fee some shops charge to find which cylinder is misfiring, taxes, and any spark plug or wiring work found along the way. Coils that sit under other parts take more labor than the calculator's default assumes.
How much does the price change with the number of coils and the shop?
Coil count is the big lever. Here are the calculator's ranges for each setting.
| Setting | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Default: one coil, chain shop | $208–$311 |
| All coils on a 4-cylinder (4 coils) | $715–$1,073 |
| All coils on a 6-cylinder (6 coils) | $1,044–$1,566 |
| All coils on an 8-cylinder (8 coils) | $1,373–$2,059 |
| One coil, independent shop | $198–$297 |
| One coil, dealership | $234–$351 |
The shop rows assume one coil. The independent rate is $100 an hour and the dealership rate is $175 an hour, so the shop changes a single-coil job only a little.
Should I replace one coil or all of them?
If the scan names one cylinder and the other coils are working, one coil is the repair that fits the fault. Replacing all of them costs far more in the table above, so ask the shop why it recommends the full set.
A fair reason is a bulletin or recall that covers every coil on your engine. The records above list those by number, so you can check whether yours applies and quote the number to the dealer. Without that, ask for the failed coil back, or for the test that showed the others are weak.
How do I know it is the coil and how urgent is it?
A misfire code such as P0301 to P0304 names the cylinder, and the trouble codes card above shows the codes owners quote. The code alone does not prove the coil failed: a spark plug, an injector or the wiring can set the same code. Ask the shop to swap the suspect coil with the one from another cylinder and see whether the code follows it.
A flashing check engine light means the engine is misfiring hard enough to harm other parts. Owners in the complaint records describe engine damage and loss of power, so have it checked the same day rather than driving for weeks.
How do I get a fair quote?
Give each shop the same details: year, make, model, engine size and the code if you have one. Ask for the coil count, the part brand, labor hours and any diagnosis fee as separate lines.
Ask whether spark plugs are in the quote. Owners most often name the spark plug in the same complaint as the coil, so a shop may suggest replacing both. That is reasonable if the plugs are due, but it should appear as its own line, not buried in the coil price. Compare each quote with the range for your engine and shop type, and take the calculator's number with you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace an ignition coil myself?
On some engines the coils sit on top and come out with a bolt and a connector. On others the intake has to come off first. Look at where yours sits before buying a part.
Does the dealership always cost more?
Its labor rate is higher, so the total is higher, but for one coil the gap is small. The coil count and the part matter more.
Can I keep driving with a misfire?
A steady check engine light is less urgent than a flashing one, but both mean a cylinder is not firing properly. Book the repair soon and avoid hard acceleration until it is done.
Sources
Data shown on this page
- NHTSA owner complaint file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA service bulletin file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- CalcScrape calculator model scaled by BEA Regional Price Parities data from 2024
- U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR 85.2103, and the California Air Resources Board warranty fact sheet file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA owner complaint files with VINs decoded by NHTSA vPIC data from 2025
- California Bureau of Automotive Repair, Smog Check Executive Summary Report 2025 data from 2025
- Census Nonemployer Statistics 2021 and County Business Patterns 2023, NAICS 8111, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU1412051424); BLS Consumer Price Index item SETD for the repair row file downloaded August 2026
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall quarterly reports (basis of the Annual List of Recall Completion Rates) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- U.S. EPA, The 2025 EPA Automotive Trends Report (EPA-420-R-26-001) file downloaded 2026-10
Terms: US government data, public domain.
Observed: records as filed; owner reports are unverified and are not failure rates. Modeled: our estimate, not a quote. Rule: a published legal rule, not a measurement; whether it covers a given repair depends on the car and the facts. Derived: computed from the records; an association, not a cause.
What is our own estimate
The price range comes from our calculator's formula. Its parts prices, labor hours per job and shop-rate tiers are CalcScrape estimates, not a published price dataset. Checked against RepairPal's range ($238–$320) on 2026-10-04: our default's midpoint is 7% below the middle of that range. Methodology