Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:COIL
16 NHTSA complaints about electrical system:ignition:coil issues across 7 makes and 16 models.
The electrical system:ignition:coil is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 16 filings from 7 manufacturers and 16 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the MERCEDES-BENZ AMG GLC63 with 1 filings, followed by MAZDA CX-5 and LEXUS RX. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MERCEDES-BENZ AMG GLC63 | 1 |
| 2 | MAZDA CX-5 | 1 |
| 3 | LEXUS RX | 1 |
| 4 | KIA SOUL | 1 |
| 5 | KIA OPTIMA | 1 |
| 6 | HYUNDAI SONATA | 1 |
| 7 | HYUNDAI KONA | 1 |
| 8 | HYUNDAI ELANTRA HYBRID | 1 |
| 9 | HYUNDAI ELANTRA | 1 |
| 10 | FORD MUSTANG | 1 |
| 11 | FORD FOCUS | 1 |
| 12 | FORD FIESTA | 1 |
| 13 | FORD F-150 | 1 |
| 14 | FORD EXPEDITION | 1 |
| 15 | FORD ESCAPE | 1 |
| 16 | CHEVROLET EQUINOX | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for routine maintenance, and the contact was informed that there was an issue with the ignition coil. There w
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken t
The contact owns a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and lost automotive power and failed to exceed 15 MPH. The vehicle failed to return
The car as a fire hazard
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle idled rough when started; however, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle would drive smoothly. The vehicle was
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed,
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated while performing a daily oil check, the contact became aware that the oil level was low while checking the dipstick. The contact added oil
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sputtered and stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the vehicle onto his driveway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicl
2015 HYUNDAI SONATA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO EXCESSIVELY BURNING OIL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS BURNING 1QUART OF OIL MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY THAN EACH 1,000 MILES AND HAS TO CONSISTENTLY C
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the engine was misfiring, and the contact smelled a burning odor inside the vehicle. The check engine warning light wa
2010 LEXUS RX 350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AN OIL LINE RUPTURE.
The contact owns a 1986 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled and he was able to continue driving in second gear. The vehicle then lost motiv
Randomly the check engine light turns on and the car begins to violently shake. This is the second day this already happened and only happened while on the highway. The car is only 3 weeks old with ju
Two ignition coils have failed. The first was covered under warranty, the second wasn't. We were told the ignition coils are a known issue and we should expect the remaining coils to fail soon. If it
According to the dealership where I bought this car, the ignition coil failed. This has happened two times so far, resulting in two separate trips to the dealership to diagnosis and repair the issue.
Related Vehicle Components
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Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.