P0353 on Nissan: How to Diagnose & Fix
Ignition Coil C Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction
1 Nissan model · 1 documented issue · $150-$600 repair
P0353 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)
P0353 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 P0353 mean on a Nissan?
P0353 stands for "Ignition Coil C Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction." This is an ignition/engine code. An ignition coil converts the battery's low voltage into the high voltage needed to create a spark at the plug. P0353 means the engine computer detected a fault in the primary or secondary circuit of ignition coil 'C' — the expected feedback when the coil is commanded to fire is missing or abnormal. Typical effects are a misfire, rough idle, hesitation, or loss of power, and a prolonged misfire can overheat and damage the catalytic converter. On Nissan it is documented across 1 model: Juke.
What are the most common causes of P0353?
The most common causes of P0353 are: Failed ignition coil 'C', Damaged wiring or corroded connector at the coil, Open or short in the coil primary/secondary circuit, Worn or fouled spark plug adding load to the coil, Poor power or ground supply to the coil, Faulty ignition driver in the ECM (less common). The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0353 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 P0353 on a different make?
View P0353 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.