CarSpecFix
OBD-II trouble code

P0301: Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected, causes & can you keep driving?

Quick answer

What it means
Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected[1]
Source wording: “P0301: Cyl.1 Misfire Detected”
Wording from VW 01-16-13, p.1
Can I keep driving?
Under certain conditions, the dashboard light will blink or flash. This indicates a rather severe level of engine misfire. When this occurs, the driver should reduce speed and seek service as soon as possible.[2]
U.S. EPA Fact Sheet EPA 420-F-97-003 (May 1997), Frequently Asked Questions About On-Board Diagnostics, p.2 · applies to all OBD-II vehicles
It is important to note that an illuminated dashboard light, as described here, is intended to inform the driver of the need for service, NOT of the need to stop the vehicle. However, service should be sought as soon as possible.[2]
U.S. EPA Fact Sheet EPA 420-F-97-003 (May 1997), Frequently Asked Questions About On-Board Diagnostics, p.2 · applies to all OBD-II vehicles
Only for the specific vehicles listed — not general advice:
2023 Ford only If it flashes, engine misfire could be occurring. Increased exhaust gas temperatures could damage the catalytic converter or other vehicle components. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.[3]
Toyota only Malfunction indicator lamp ... Indicates a malfunction in: The electronic engine control system; The electronic throttle control system; or The electronic automatic transmission control system → Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.[4]
What this code alone can’t tell you
Flashing light: reduce speed and get the car serviced as soon as possible — the source describes a flashing light as a severe level of engine misfire.[2]
U.S. EPA Fact Sheet EPA 420-F-97-003 (May 1997), Frequently Asked Questions About On-Board Diagnostics, p.2 · applies to all vehicles
Steady light: get the car serviced as soon as possible, but this is not a reason to stop driving.[2]
U.S. EPA Fact Sheet EPA 420-F-97-003 (May 1997), Frequently Asked Questions About On-Board Diagnostics, p.2 · applies to all vehicles
Check first: Check whether the lamp is flashing or steady: a flashing lamp means you should reduce speed and get the car serviced as soon as possible.[2]
What a repair will cost varies by vehicle, region and shop, and no official source publishes a price for a single fault — so this site does not estimate one. We publish only figures we can trace to an official document; for the federal statistics that do exist, see NHTSA statistics.
Shop visit or check it yourself first?
Check whether the lamp is flashing or steady: a flashing lamp means you should reduce speed and get the car serviced as soon as possible.[2]
U.S. EPA Fact Sheet EPA 420-F-97-003 (May 1997), Frequently Asked Questions About On-Board Diagnostics, p.2
Last verified 2026-10-15Report a data error

Possible causes

Each cause comes from a manufacturer document and applies to the models listed. Your vehicle may differ.

  1. VW's service bulletin (VW 01-16-13, p.2) [1]
    Fuel injector, spark plug or ignition coil on the misfiring cylinder (replace only the one causing the misfire)
  2. VW's service bulletin (VW 01-16-13, p.1) [1]
    Low fuel level

NHTSA statistics

How often P0301 shows up in the federal complaint and recall databases.

Complaints that mention P0301
357
out of 1,626,788 complaints in NHTSA's database[5]
Recall campaigns that cite P0301
0
out of 30,378 campaigns since 1967 — recall summaries describe defects in consumer terms and do not list diagnostic codes[6]

How this is counted: code counted when it appears in the complaint description (CDESCR) for complaints, or in the recall component/defect/consequence/corrective-action text for recalls; unique ODINO per complaint and unique CAMPNO per recall. Complaints are voluntary and unverified — a mention is not proof that P0301 caused the problem. Neither file contains repair-price data, which is why this site does not publish cost estimates.

Sources

  1. VW 01-16-13, p.1, retrieved 2026-10-15
  2. U.S. EPA Fact Sheet EPA 420-F-97-003 (May 1997), Frequently Asked Questions About On-Board Diagnostics, p.2, retrieved 2026-10-15
  3. Ford 2023 Motorhome (chassis) Owner's Manual, hosted by NHTSA in investigation PE24-023, PDF p.33 (Instrument Cluster), retrieved 2026-10-15
  4. 2022 Toyota Camry Owner's Manual OM06244U, p.528, retrieved 2026-10-15
  5. NHTSA ODI complaint flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), retrieved 2026-10-20
  6. NHTSA ODI recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010.zip), retrieved 2026-10-20

General information from manufacturer documents, not professional mechanical advice. See Data sources.