P0351 on Nissan: How to Diagnose & Fix
Ignition Coil A Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction
1 Nissan model · 1 documented issue · $150-$600 repair
P0351 on Nissan by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
The four individual coil-on-plug ignition coils (Nissan 22448-1KC0A family) sit directly on top of the turbocharged MR16DDT and live in a hot, high-cylinder-pressure environment. The secondary windings break down with heat cycling, most commonly after 60,000-100,000 miles, and the failure is usually one coil at a time. Juke Forums threads document owners with a hard single-cylinder misfire code, a shaking engine and a flashing MIL, where swapping the suspect coil to another cylinder moves the code with it. Worn or incorrectly gapped plugs accelerate coil death because the coil has to fire a wider gap under boost.
Common Symptoms
- Flashing check engine light
- Engine shakes hard at idle
- Sudden loss of power / limp mode
- Sputtering or jerking on acceleration
- Fuel smell from exhaust
- Hard starting
How to Fix
Pull codes; if a specific cylinder is named, swap that coil with an adjacent cylinder and re-test - if the misfire follows the coil, the coil is bad. Replace with genuine Nissan/Hitachi coils rather than budget units, which have a poor track record on boosted Nissans. Always replace the spark plugs at the same time with the correct iridium plugs gapped to spec; a fouled or over-gapped plug is what killed the coil. Expect roughly $60-$110 per OEM coil plus plugs.
Sources for this issue (3)
P0351 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0351 mean on a Nissan?
P0351 stands for "Ignition Coil A Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction." P0351 indicates the engine computer found a fault in the primary or secondary circuit of ignition coil 'A' (typically the coil for cylinder 1 or the first coil in the firing system). The PCM monitors the coil's control circuit, and when the electrical feedback doesn't match what it expects during firing, it sets this code. Because the coil creates the high-voltage spark, this often causes a misfire, rough idle, hesitation, or loss of power. It is a circuit/component fault for one specific coil rather than a general engine problem. On Nissan it is documented across 1 model: Juke.
What are the most common causes of P0351?
The most common causes of P0351 are: Failed or weak ignition coil, Damaged or corroded coil connector or pigtail, Broken or shorted wiring in the coil control circuit, Loss of power feed or ground to the coil, Worn or fouled spark plug overloading the coil, Failed coil driver inside the PCM/ECM. The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0351 on a Nissan?
Published repair estimates on Nissan range from $150 to $600 depending on the model and root cause. If an issue mentions a recall or campaign, check your VIN with the manufacturer or NHTSA and confirm eligibility and coverage with a dealer.
Looking for P0351 on a different make?
View P0351 across all makes →Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.