Parts for your 2013 Nissan Navara-Ignition coils

2013 Nissan Navara ignition coils – which models have them, and what to do

Ignition coils are fitted to the 2013 Nissan Navara only on the petrol V6 models (VQ40DE). They’re not used on the popular diesel variants (YD25DDTi). This isn’t guesswork: Nissan’s D40 Navara factory service manuals specify a coil-on-plug ignition system for the VQ40DE petrol (EC/EM sections, individual coils with built-in power transistors), while the YD25DDTi diesel documentation details a glow plug system and compression ignition, with no spark ignition hardware or coils. That means coils are relevant for petrol V6 owners, and irrelevant for diesels, which rely on glow plugs and high-pressure fuel injection to ignite the mixture.

For owners of a 2013 Navara V6 petrol, the ignition coils are the unsung heroes under the bonnet. Each cylinder gets its own coil, mounted directly over the spark plug (coil-on-plug). Their job is to boost the battery’s 12 V to the thousands of volts needed to fire the plug cleanly, especially under load. When they get tired, the ute can feel flat, stumble at idle, or flash a check engine light with misfire codes (often P0300–P0306). Left unchecked, misfires can cook the catalytic converter and chew through fuel.

There isn’t a fixed replacement interval in Nissan’s schedule for coils, they’re a replace-when-faulty item. That said, many techs in Australia and New Zealand see ageing coils start to falter somewhere north of 150,000 km, especially if plugs are overdue. As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to check for stored misfire codes, inspect connectors for heat or corrosion, and confirm the spark plugs are the correct spec and gap. Iridium plugs should generally be renewed at the recommended interval, fresh plugs reduce coil workload.

When replacing a faulty coil, use quality OEM or reputable aftermarket units. Swapping coils between cylinders is a handy diagnostic to see if a misfire follows the coil. If the vehicle has high kilometres and multiple weak coils, replacing the full set can save repeated trips back. Installation is straightforward: disconnect the battery, remove the engine cover, unplug the coil, lift it out, and refit the new one. Tighten the coil retaining bolt to the service manual spec (around 6–7 N·m on the VQ40DE). A light smear of dielectric grease on the boot helps seal out moisture. After refitting, clear codes and confirm smooth running on a short test drive.

If the 2013 Navara is a diesel YD25DDTi, there are no ignition coils to service or replace. Any no-start or rough running on those engines is more likely related to glow plugs, injectors, air leaks, or fuel delivery rather than spark.

• Petrol V6 (VQ40DE): uses coil-on-plug ignition coils.
• Diesel (YD25DDTi): no ignition coils, uses glow plugs.
• Technical sources: Nissan D40 Navara Factory Service Manual—VQ40DE EC/EM (Ignition System), YD25DDTi EC (Glow Plug System).

FAQs

Does a 2013 Nissan Navara have ignition coils?
Yes on petrol V6 (VQ40DE) models, no on diesel YD25DDTi models. Petrol Navaras use one coil per cylinder (coil-on-plug), while diesels rely on compression ignition and glow plugs.

How often should ignition coils be replaced on a 2013 Navara V6?
There’s no set interval. Replace coils when symptoms appear—misfires, rough idle, loss of power, or misfire fault codes. Many see failures after high kilometres, particularly if spark plugs are overdue.

What are common symptoms of a failing ignition coil on the V6 Navara?
Rough idle, hesitation, poor fuel economy, check engine light with P030X misfire codes, and a noticeable lack of grunt under load. The misfire may be worse in wet weather or under hard acceleration.