Ignition and pre-heatingGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Garage soon

P0351 on Škoda: causes and affected engines

P0351 means: ignition coil "A": primary or secondary circuit fault.^[1][2] Škoda has 4 documented faults that can trigger it, across 4 engines: 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI, 2.0 FSI, 1.2 12V and 1.8 T 20v. Only a diagnosis can confirm the cause on your car.

Documented faults

that can trigger it

Engines

used by Škoda, with at least one of them

Škoda models

with at least one of these faults

Urgency

Garage soon

Reviewed on 29 October 20262 sources How we work

Documented faults in Škoda engines that can trigger P0351

Grouped by engine or model, from most to least important. These are faults with the ignition coils: not all of them will necessarily set the code, and only a diagnosis confirms the cause on your car.

1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI

In Fabia I, Fabia II, Octavia I and Octavia II

- Medium severityFrequency: CommonIgnitionIgnition coil failureIgnition coils are the fault that recurs most in owner reports for this engine, across all its versions. A weak coil causes misfires, jerking and the engine warning light; replacing it is a minor repair compared with the engine's other faults.

2.0 FSI

In Octavia II

- Medium severityFrequency: CommonIgnitionIgnition coil failureIgnition coils are the engine fault that owners of this 2.0 FSI report most often, in models as different as the Golf V, Passat B6, Leon II and Altea. They cause an unstable idle, the engine running on fewer cylinders and, at times, difficulty starting.

1.2 12V

In Fabia I, Fabia II and Roomster

- Low severityFrequency: CommonIgnitionIgnition coil failureThe 1.2 12V ignition coils fail relatively often, with misfires, hesitation and the engine light coming on. It is the engine's most cited electrical fault, documented on several cars and brands.

1.8 T 20v

In Octavia I

- Low severityFrequency: CommonIgnitionIgnition coil failureYes: the ignition coils (one per cylinder) are among the most cited faults of the 1.8T, especially on engines built between 2001 and 2003. They cause hesitation, a rough idle and the engine warning light coming on; usually it is enough to replace the coil of the affected cylinder.

Common causes of P0351 on any make

From most to least likely, according to the sources.

1Faulty coil, with an open or shorted primary winding: the most common cause on engines with one coil per cylinder.^[1][2]
2Worn or dirty spark plug, which demands more voltage and ends up damaging the coil.^[1][2]
3Damaged coil wiring or connector, often because oil seeps in through the connector.^[1][2]
4Power supply fault, such as a relay or a fuse, or, very rarely, the ECU.^[2]

What to check first

The first diagnostic steps, from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.

1Check whether the misfire code for the same cylinder is also stored (P0301 for cylinder 1).^[2]
2Swap coil "A" with the one from another cylinder, clear the codes and read again: if the fault moves to another cylinder, the coil is the culprit.^[1][2]
3Remove the cylinder's spark plug and check whether it is very dirty, oily, has a cracked insulator or a worn electrode.^[1][2]

Full guide to P0351: symptoms, diagnosis and whether you can drive

Frequently asked questions

Which Škoda engines have faults that can trigger P0351?

1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI (1 fault), 2.0 FSI (1 fault), 1.2 12V (1 fault) and 1.8 T 20v (1 fault). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

What does code P0351 mean on a Škoda?

Ignition coil "A": primary or secondary circuit fault. The ECU detects a fault in ignition coil "A", which normally corresponds to cylinder 1: the primary circuit (the one that powers and triggers it) or the secondary (the spark) is not working as it should. It is a generic OBD-II code: it means the same on a Škoda as on any other make.^[1][2]

Can I keep driving with P0351?

Garage soon. If the light flashes or there are misfires, unburnt fuel can overheat the catalytic converter and damage it; AutoDTCs recommends repairing it within a day or two and avoiding long journeys.^[1][2]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

P0351: Ignition coil A primary/secondary circuitCarista · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
P0351 – Ignition Coil “A” Primary/Secondary CircuitAutoDTCs · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026