P0353: Ignition Coil C Primary Control Circuit/Open
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Short trips only - the affected cylinder is not firing.
Symptoms
- Rough running and vibration
- Flashing check engine light
- Fuel smell from the exhaust
Likely causes, most common first
- Ignition coil C failed
- Control wire broken or shorted
- Water or oil in the spark plug well
- Computer driver failure
Read P0353 yourself before paying for diagnosis
A basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanner ($20-40) plugs into the port under the dashboard and shows this code with live sensor data on your phone - useful both for confirming the fix and for talking to a shop from an informed position.
What is going on and how it gets diagnosed
P0353 reports that the computer cannot properly control ignition coil C. On coil-on-plug engines the coil sits down a deep well in the cylinder head, and that well is exactly where oil collects when a valve cover gasket starts to weep.
Oil around a coil is worth noting rather than wiping away. It attacks the coil boot, tracks spark to ground and destroys replacement coils just as quickly as the original. Fixing the gasket at the same time as the coil is what makes the repair last.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0353
“While I was driving, my vehicle suddenly lost all power I encountered a misfire with the engine light flashing, and diagnostic codes P0353 and P0300 indicated a misfire on cylinder three. The coil pack and spark plugs for that cylinder were replaced, yet issues persist and problems continue. There is a strange popping and cracking noise coming from my dash. My brakes are also making it loud sound randomly when pressing on breaks yet brake pads are fine”2025 Chevrolet Tahoe · Nov 2025
“Hyundai dealership just gave me my vehicle back after having it for 3 months replacing the engine due to engine failure which a class action law suite was filed about. While having my vehicle they also replaced all the ignition coils and spark plugs, 1 day after receiving my vehicle back my car throws the following codes and has to go back to the dealership. P0353- ignition coils C primary control circuit/open P0354- ignition coils D primary control circuit/open P0420- Catalyst system efficiency bele9 threshold bank 1”2016 Hyundai Tucson · May 2022
“Code P0351, P0352, P0353, P0354, P0355, P0356. Vehicle shut down on the interstate on the way home for work, 2½ hours from home. And will not restart. Pcm most likely the problem.”2006 Ford Escape · Aug 2021
Show 1 more owner reports
“Vehicle misfire and stall while driving caused by damaged power control module (pcu) and faulty/damaged ignition coil. Service bullitn issued: tsb 14-0059 mil on with dtcs - p0351, p0352, p0353, p0354, p0355, and/or p0356 - built on or before 3/1/2008 publication date: march 20, 2014”2007 Lincoln MKX · Dec 2015 · 72,000 mi
Cars that report P0353 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0353?
Short trips only - the affected cylinder is not firing.
How much does it cost to fix P0353?
Typical US repair costs range from $80 for the simplest fix (ignition coil) to $500 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0353. They often appear together, and telling them apart is usually what narrows the diagnosis.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.