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P0300 Code: Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected - Causes & Fixes

What P0300 means, when a flashing check engine light means stop driving, the likely causes in order, the scanner tests that find the misfire and what each repair costs.

Mechanic using a diagnostic tool inside a car to check for engine problems
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CarTipsMentor Team
OBD2 Codes guides
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Key takeaways

P0300 means the engine computer has detected misfires on more than one cylinder, or misfires it can't pin to a single cylinder. A steady light lets you drive gently to a shop, but a flashing check engine light means stop driving, because unburned fuel is overheating the catalytic converter.

  1. 01Check the cheap suspects first. Ignition coils and spark plugs rank among the most common check engine repairs in CarMD's national data.
  2. 02Save the freeze frame and read the per-cylinder misfire counters before you clear the code or buy parts.
  3. 03A coil swap test costs nothing: if the misfire follows the coil to another cylinder, the coil is bad.
  4. 04RepairPal's averages run $238 to $320 for an ignition coil and $288 to $399 for spark plugs, while a catalytic converter ruined by misfire averages $2,280 to $2,480.

This guide belongs to our OBD2 guide: most common codes section, which covers the wider topic.

P0300 is the code your engine computer stores when it catches misfires that move between cylinders or hit several at once. The engine may shake at idle, stumble when you press the gas or feel almost normal. On safety, a steady check engine light means drive gently and get the car scanned soon. A flashing light means a misfire bad enough to damage the catalytic converter, so stop driving as soon as it is safe.

The likeliest cause is also one of the cheaper fixes: Kelley Blue Book's P0300 page names worn or damaged spark plugs as the most common cause.

Our OBD2 guide lists the most common OBD2 codes and repair costs in one table, so you can see how P0300 compares with other frequent codes.

P0300 Meaning and Severity at a Glance

P0300 stands for "Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected." Identifix's P0300 guide calls it a standardized code that can appear on most 1996 and newer gasoline vehicles.

A misfire is a power stroke that fails to burn its air and fuel. O'Reilly Auto Parts' P0300 guide traces it to a lack of spark, fuel or compression.

P0300 Meaning and Severity at a Glance: table
QuestionShort answer
What it meansMisfires on two or more cylinders, or misfires the computer can't pin to one cylinder
SeverityUrgent
Safe to drive?Steady light: gently, for short distances. Flashing light: no
Most common causesWorn spark plugs and failing ignition coils
Typical shop cost$238 to $399 for an ignition coil or spark plug job
Worst case if ignoredA new catalytic converter at $2,280 to $2,480

Severity rating and costs from RepairPal (national averages, updated September 3, 2026). Driving guidance from AAA, Edmunds and the 2022 Ram 2500/3500 owner's manual. Common causes from Kelley Blue Book and CarMD.

How Your Engine Computer Detects a Misfire

The computer watches how smoothly the crankshaft spins. Each cylinder that fires gives the crankshaft a push, and a cylinder that misfires lets it slow down for an instant.

MOTOR magazine's misfire column explains that the PCM measures crankshaft acceleration through the crankshaft sensor and uses the camshaft sensor to tell which cylinder is firing.

CarParts.com's P0300 guide says the PCM records the spacing of the crankshaft sensor pulses, usually during deceleration with the injectors off, and can't detect misfires without it. Technicians use a scan tool to speed up this relearn after replacing certain parts.

Catalyst-damaging misfire vs. emissions misfire

California's OBD II rules sort misfire into two levels. CARB's November 2005 draft of its OBD II regulation has the computer judge misfire in 200-revolution blocks for catalyst damage, and in 1,000-revolution blocks for misfire that would push emissions above 1.5 times the FTP standards. During catalyst-damaging misfire, the light must blink once per second.

MOTOR calls these Type A and Type B misfire. Type A sets a code after one trip and makes the light blink. Type B sets a code on the second trip and never makes it blink.

Vehicle Service Pros' misfire diagnosis article notes that many manufacturers shut off a cylinder's injector once a misfire is detected, which can make a healthy injector look guilty.

Why you get P0300 instead of P0301 to P0312

Cylinder-specific codes run from P0301 through P0312, and O'Reilly notes that the last two digits are the cylinder number. P0303 means cylinder 3.

The same CARB draft requires a separate code when more than one cylinder misfires. On 2005 and later vehicles, if over 90 percent of misfires are in one cylinder, the maker may store that cylinder's code instead. If two or more cylinders each have more than 10 percent of the misfires, the multiple-cylinder code must be stored.

Kelley Blue Book says other P030X codes often appear alongside P0300. A scan showing P0300, P0302 and P0303, for example, tells you to start testing on cylinders 2 and 3.

Is It Safe to Drive With a P0300 Code?

Only if the light is steady, and then gently and for a short distance. If the light flashes or the engine shakes hard, stop driving.

AAA's check engine light guide says it's OK to drive short distances with the light on as long as nothing is noticeably wrong.

Edmunds' P0300 page agrees a brief drive to a mechanic likely won't cause irreparable damage, but advises against driving with the code for an extended period.

Is It Safe to Drive With a P0300 Code?: table
What you seeSeverityWhat to do
Steady light, engine feels normalModerateDrive gently and get it scanned soon
Steady light with rough idle or hesitationHighKeep trips short, avoid hard acceleration
Flashing lightSevereStop when safe and get immediate service
Heavy shaking, power loss, raw fuel smell or overheatingSeverePull over, shut it off and arrange a tow

Severity levels summarize guidance from AAA, Edmunds, Identifix, Kelley Blue Book, the EPA and the 2022 Ram 2500/3500 owner's manual.

RepairPal's P0300 code page rates the code Urgent, its label for codes that need immediate action.

What a flashing check engine light means

A flashing light means catalyst-damaging misfire is happening right now. The 2022 Ram 2500/3500 owner's manual states that if the light is flashing, severe catalytic converter damage and power loss will soon occur, and immediate service is required.

The California Air Resources Board's OBD II fact sheet says a blinking light signals a malfunction that could be damaging your catalytic converter.

Kia's owner's manual goes further and says not to operate the vehicle with signs of engine malfunction such as misfire.

The EPA's check engine light fact sheet is less strict: it says you can still drive with a blinking light but should minimize your time on the road and avoid high speeds and heavy loads. The carmakers' advice is the safer one.

MOTOR notes the blink may come and go as engine load changes, and our explainer on the steady vs. flashing check engine light shows what each state means for your next drive.

Keep a misfiring car away from anything that burns

A misfire can push the catalytic converter above its normal operating temperature. The Ram manual warns that a malfunctioning converter can cause a fire if you drive slowly or park over flammable substances.

Free tool

Check Engine Light Checker. Pick steady or flashing, tick rough running if it applies, and get a stop, act-soon or low-risk ruling with first steps.

How a misfire ruins the catalytic converter

Fuel that doesn't burn in the cylinder burns in the exhaust instead. OBDeleven's P0300 guide says that unburned fuel can ignite in the exhaust and melt the converter's ceramic core.

The 2026 CarMD Vehicle Health Index says a converter usually won't fail on newer vehicles unless a related root cause, such as a faulty spark plug or oxygen sensor, is ignored.

Misfire damage is one of the upstream causes in our guide to the P0420 catalyst efficiency code, and Identifix warns against replacing a converter without fixing the misfire first.

P0300 Symptoms

Most drivers notice a rough, shaky engine first. Kelley Blue Book, Identifix, O'Reilly and CarParts.com list these signs:

  • A steady or flashing check engine light
  • Rough idle, with shaking or vibration while stopped
  • Hesitation or jerking when you accelerate
  • A lack of power
  • Higher fuel use
  • Hard starting, long cranking or a no-start
  • A strong fuel smell from the exhaust
  • Stalling at stops
  • A failed emissions test

When you feel a misfire but no code is stored

A misfire can be real before any code appears. A 2018 Mazda service bulletin for certain 2016 and 2017 CX-9s notes that the codes may not be stored even when a misfire occurred, because they set only after continuous misfire over two drive cycles.

Vehicle Service Pros adds that some makers disable the misfire monitor when the fuel tank is below 1/8 full, or while ABS or traction control is active. In those conditions you can feel a misfire with no code at all.

What Causes P0300? Most Likely First

Check the ignition system first, then air leaks, then fuel delivery and finally the engine's mechanical health. That order puts the most common and cheapest checks at the front.

In CarMD's 2026 index, covering repairs made in 2025, ignition coils and spark plugs together ranked third, ignition coils alone fifth, fuel injectors seventh and spark plugs alone tenth among the 10 most common check engine repairs.

CarParts.com adds that any fault not tied to one cylinder, such as contaminated fuel, should be suspected with P0300.

Worn or fouled spark plugs

Wear is the first plug killer. AAA's spark plug cost guide puts copper plugs at 20,000 to 30,000 miles, double platinum at 60,000 to 100,000 miles and double iridium at up to 120,000 miles.

Fouling is the other plug killer. NGK's ignition tips call it by far the most common spark plug problem, with fuel, oil or carbon coating the firing tip. A plug must reach 450°C (842°F) to clean itself, so plugs that stay cool on short trips can't burn off deposits.

NGK warns that a new plug may cure fouling only temporarily, so find out why the old one fouled. Identifix says to confirm any coolant on a plug with further tests before anyone recommends a head gasket.

Close-up of old, rusted spark plugs

Failing ignition coils

Many engines use one coil per plug, mounted on top of it. DENSO's coil failure guide lists the usual reasons coils fail: voltage overload from a damaged or worn spark plug, excessive heat, engine vibration, oil from a leaking valve cover gasket, water in the plug recesses and a weak battery.

CarMD lists worn plugs stressing the coils as a cause of coil failure, which is one reason the two are often replaced together. If you find oil in the plug wells, fix the valve cover gasket too, or the new coil will sit in the same oil.

Spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor

Older engines send spark through plug wires, and some use a distributor. Kelley Blue Book lists a faulty distributor cap as a P0300 cause, and O'Reilly adds the rotor. CarParts.com says to check a wire that passes a spark tester with a multimeter, where the typical spec is 5,000 ohms per foot.

Vacuum leaks and a lean mixture

A vacuum leak lets in air the engine computer never measured, and OBDeleven notes this can make the mixture too lean. Identifix suggests checking intake boots, hoses, PCV parts, brake booster lines and intake gaskets, and says a smoke machine makes the leak easier to find.

Vehicle Service Pros says a vacuum leak tends to show high long-term fuel trim at idle that drops at higher RPM. A lean code can appear next to P0300 too, and our P0171 system too lean guide covers that side of the diagnosis.

Fuel injectors and low fuel pressure

A bad injector usually affects one cylinder: RepairPal's fuel injector estimate says it most likely shows up as frequent misfires on one cylinder.

Low fuel pressure hits the whole engine. OBDeleven explains that a weak fuel pump or clogged filter can leave the mixture lean. AAA's fuel pump cost guide lists sputtering at high speeds, hard starting on a low tank and power loss on hills as signs.

Low compression and mechanical faults

If a cylinder can't hold compression, no plug or coil will make it fire properly. OBDeleven names worn piston rings, bent valves and a blown head gasket. CarParts.com adds a loose timing chain, carbon buildup on the valves and engine sludge, and Edmunds mentions a bad lifter, pushrod or valve spring.

Sensors, software, voltage and fuel

Identifix says to check battery condition and charging voltage before going further, and to inspect the wiring circuits before replacing a crank or cam sensor. O'Reilly also lists the mass airflow sensor and the EGR system among P0300 causes.

Kelley Blue Book adds that a very low fuel level can cause a temporary misfire, and Kia's manual warns that running out of fuel could cause a misfire that damages the catalytic converter.

How to Diagnose P0300 With a Scanner

Record everything before you clear anything, then let the scan data tell you where to test. Identifix lists clearing codes before saving the freeze frame among the common P0300 mistakes.

  1. Scan every module. Write down all stored, pending and permanent codes, as Identifix recommends.
  2. Save the freeze frame. OBDeleven notes it shows whether the fault set at idle or under hard driving, hot or cold.
  3. Check battery and charging voltage.
  4. Watch the misfire counters. CarParts.com's method is to run the engine under the freeze frame conditions and see which counters climb.
  5. Read the fuel trims. OBDeleven puts normal trims between -5 percent and +5 percent.
  6. Inspect the engine bay for split hoses, loose connectors and oil in the plug wells.
  7. Pull and read the spark plugs.
  8. Swap coils, then plugs, and see whether the misfire follows the part.
  9. Smoke-test the intake and check fuel pressure against the maker's specification.
  10. Test compression if everything else checks out.
  11. Clear the codes and test drive. OBDeleven suggests at least 15 minutes, since some problems only show when the engine is hot.

Reading misfire counters and Mode $06

Mode $06 is where the computer keeps its monitor test data, including misfire counts. Tomorrow's Technician's Mode $06 guide says to investigate the cylinders with high misfire counts, even when no cylinder code has set.

Vehicle Service Pros adds that Mode $06 keeps an ongoing count for each cylinder and can confirm a proper repair. A basic code reader may not show this data, and our guide to the best OBD2 scanners compares code readers, scan tools and bidirectional tools.

The coil swap test

The swap test is free. Move a coil from a cylinder that isn't misfiring to one that is, clear the codes and drive. O'Reilly's rule: if the code moves to a different cylinder, the coil is bad.

If the coil checks out, swap the spark plug. CarParts.com says to replace the plug if the misfire moves with it, and to test the injector if it doesn't. RepairPal's ignition coil estimate adds that when the misfire is on only one cylinder, only that cylinder's parts need examining.

No cylinder code? Use the counters

With no P030X code, swap from the cylinder with the highest misfire count, and clear the codes between tests.

Compression and leak-down tests

Test compression last, but don't skip it. Identifix recommends it when ignition, fuel and airflow checks don't isolate the fault, or when misfires on neighboring cylinders hint at a head gasket or valve-sealing problem.

RepairPal's compression test estimate describes the basic test: warm the engine, disable ignition and fuel, remove the spark plugs, thread a gauge into each hole in turn and crank briefly. Compare the readings with the specification, as OBDeleven advises.

A leak-down test shows where the pressure goes. The Go-Parts P0300 guide suggests listening at the intake, the exhaust or the oil filler to locate the leak.

Check for Service Bulletins Before Buying Parts

Some P0300 cases are known factory problems with a published fix, often a software update. These five bulletins show the pattern:

Check for Service Bulletins Before Buying Parts: table
MakerBulletinVehicles and conditionFix described
FordTSB 13-1-112013 Mustang 5.0L manuals built on or before Nov. 30, 2012, with P0300 to P0308 and no drivability symptomsPCM reprogramming, or a misfire monitor neutral profile correction
NissanNTB22-0692022 Pathfinder with P0300 to P0306 stored during cold-start warm-up and no drivability concernECM reprogramming if the ECM part number is on the bulletin's list
ToyotaT-SB-0156-19 Rev. 12017 to 2020 Toyota 86 automatics built before a listed VIN, with P0300 or rough idle at cold start near 50°F coolant temperatureEngine ECU reflash; the ECM is not replaced
Honda23-0262018 to 2022 Accord 2.0L with P0300 to P0304 or P0172Oil drain and refill without a filter change, PGM-FI software update, then throttle and idle relearns
GM15-06-01-002O2014 to 2023 Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac models with listed 5.3L and 6.2L V8s, with a misfire or tickReplace collapsed or stuck AFM lifters and guides, plus the camshaft if worn; engine replacement is usually not needed

From each maker's bulletin as filed with NHTSA (Ford's from its service content site), also summarized in Identifix's P0300 guide. Ask a dealer to confirm that your VIN is covered.

NHTSA's recall lookup shows recalls, investigations, complaints and manufacturer communications for your year, make and model. CarParts.com notes that a bulletin repair is charged to you unless it falls within the factory warranty. Toyota's 86 bulletin, for example, is covered by its federal emissions warranty for 96 months or 80,000 miles.

How to Fix P0300 and What Each Repair Costs

Fix whatever the tests confirm, starting with the cheapest proven fault. Ignition repairs average a few hundred dollars at a shop, while mechanical repairs and a ruined catalytic converter run into the thousands.

How to Fix P0300 and What Each Repair Costs: table
RepairRepairPal averageOther published estimate
Spark plug replacement$288 to $399AAA: $100 to $250 typical, over $500 for larger engines or dealers. CarMD: $299.47 average
Ignition coil replacement$238 to $320CarMD: $256.45 average
Ignition coils and spark plugs togetherNot listedCarMD: $480.21 average
Fuel injector replacement$768 to $953CarMD: $572.27 average
Intake manifold gasket (vacuum leak)$683 to $834Not listed
Fuel pump replacement$1,344 to $1,513AAA: $1,150 to $1,400 for most vehicles
Engine compression test$216 to $317Not listed
Timing chain replacement$2,120 to $2,764Not listed
Head gasket replacement$2,572 to $3,386Not listed
Catalytic converter replacement$2,280 to $2,480AAA: $1,000 to $4,000. CarMD: $1,510.88 average

RepairPal national averages for parts and labor, before taxes and fees, updated September 3, 2026. AAA figures from its spark plug, fuel pump and catalytic converter cost guides. CarMD averages from its 2026 Vehicle Health Index, covering 2025 repairs.

RepairPal's spark plug estimate splits its average into $184 to $270 for labor and $104 to $129 for parts. AAA says plugs usually cost $5 to $25 each, so most of the bill is labor.

Why the estimates disagree

CarMD reports average costs of check engine repairs in 2025, while RepairPal's ranges leave out taxes, fees and local pricing. Engine layout matters too: AAA puts a plug job at $100 to $250 on a four-cylinder and $200 to $500 or more on a V8.

AAA's 2026 labor rate guide says almost half of all shops charge $120 to $159 an hour, and dealers often charge 25 percent or more above independents.

For the worst case, AAA's catalytic converter cost guide gives $1,000 to $4,000 for parts and labor.

Check any quote's math with our Repair Cost Estimator before you approve the work.

Free tool

Repair Cost Estimator. Enter the parts price, labor hours and shop rate from a quote to see the total, your DIY savings and how it compares with the national average.

After the Repair: Clear the Code and Confirm the Fix

Clear the code with a scan tool, then drive under the freeze frame conditions and watch the misfire counters. MOTOR notes the counter shows misfire quantity before and after repairs.

O'Reilly warns that clearing a code turns the light off only temporarily if the fault remains. Don't clear codes by disconnecting the battery: Mazda's owner's manual warns that disconnecting the cables while the check engine light is on or flashing can damage the engine when they are reconnected, which could result in a fire.

Codes That Often Appear With P0300

Companion codes are the fastest way to narrow down a P0300.

Codes That Often Appear With P0300: table
CodeMeaningWhat it points to
P0301 to P0312Misfire in a specific cylinderThe cylinders to test first
P0171 and P0174System too lean, bank 1 and bank 2Vacuum leak or weak fuel delivery
P0100 to P0104Mass airflow sensorA wrong air reading
P0130 to P0167Oxygen sensorFaulty fuel feedback
P0335 to P0339Crankshaft position sensorIgnition timing problems
P0340Camshaft position sensorCam, reluctor or timing faults
P0351 to P0362Ignition coil circuitCoil wiring or connectors
P0420 and P0430Catalytic converter codesA converter that may already be damaged

Code ranges from OBDeleven and O'Reilly Auto Parts. P0340 from Identifix. P0420 and P0430 from AAA's catalytic converter cost guide.

Treat P0300 as a symptom, not a part number. Save the freeze frame, follow the misfire counters and test before you buy, starting with plugs and coils. A fast fix protects a converter that costs far more than the likely culprits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a P0300 code go away on its own?

Sometimes the light does. Kelley Blue Book notes that a misfire can be temporary, such as one caused by a very low fuel level, and that the system can then turn the light off while keeping the stored misfire code. The EPA says a light that goes out by itself is not a sign of a faulty OBD system. If the cause is still there, the code will return.

Will a car with a P0300 code pass an emissions test?

It may well fail. CarParts.com lists a failed emissions test among the symptoms of P0300, and OBDeleven warns that incomplete combustion raises emissions and can cause a failed test. The California Air Resources Board adds that OBD II stores readiness indicators showing whether a car is ready for inspection, so fix the misfire and drive normally before you go.

Can a bad catalytic converter cause a P0300 code?

Yes, though CarParts.com calls it rather uncommon. A faulty, clogged converter can create enough back pressure to cause a misfire and set P0300. The reverse is the more familiar story. CarMD says converters usually do not fail unless a root cause such as a bad spark plug or oxygen sensor is ignored, so fix the misfire before you replace the converter.

Can low oil cause a P0300 code?

Low oil is not on the usual P0300 cause lists, but oil problems can lead to misfires. A GM bulletin for some 5.3L and 6.2L V8s ties P0300 to lifter damage linked to oil aeration, and DENSO says oil leaking from a valve cover gasket can break down ignition coil insulation. Check the oil level and look for oil in the spark plug wells.

Can a bad oxygen sensor cause a P0300 code?

It can. CarParts.com explains that a failed oxygen sensor can lead to an improper air and fuel ratio, which can cause misfires, but calls it just one of many potential causes. Identifix advises replacing an oxygen sensor only after testing confirms its signal is wrong, so check the oxygen sensor data and any oxygen sensor codes before you buy one.

Why does P0300 keep coming back after new spark plugs?

Identifix lists several reasons a P0300 returns: only the symptom was fixed, an intermittent fault remains, the conditions that set the code were not reproduced, more than one fault exists, or a required relearn or calibration was skipped. New plugs will not cure a vacuum leak, weak fuel pump or low compression, so follow the misfire counters and test the rest of the system.

Sources and References

Written by

CarTipsMentor Team

Researched from the sources listed above and checked against them before publishing. Nobody paid to be mentioned on this page. It is general information, not advice about your own vehicle.

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