The Lemon IndexThe engine computer sees misfires that move around between cylinders instead of staying in one. Full P0300 page
10 owner complaints · one of 274 codes Ford F-Series owners name · 2% of Ford F-Series complaints that name a code (every car: 2.9%)
Middle of 12,000 miles · most between 7,800 and 79,000 (9 owners gave it)
Ford F-Series owners named P0300 in 10 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2011, 2013 and 2022 model years, at a middle of 12,000 miles. The part they name most is the ignition coils (2 complaints). Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Ford F-Series model years that report P0300
Owner complaints naming P0300, by model year. Raw counts: years that sold more get more complaints, so this is each model year's record, not a failure rate.
Mileage when it happened
12,000 miles is the middle of what 9 owners entered. Half were between 7,800 and 79,000 miles.
The mileage on the complaint form, when the owner gave one.
What owners say caused it or fixed it
The most-named part is the ignition coils, in 2 of the 10 complaints (20%). 2 of those mention it being replaced or repaired. Next: spark plugs (2).
- Ignition coils2 complaints2 mention a repair or replacement · what Ford F-Series owners paid
- Spark plugs2 complaints2 mention a repair or replacement · what Ford F-Series owners paid
Counted from the owners' own words: a part counts when a sentence names it with a cause or repair word. What owners wrote, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause before replacing parts.
Symptoms owners describe with P0300
90% of these complaints say the check engine light came on.
- Shakes, runs rough or misfires80%8 of 10 complaints
- Loses power or goes into limp mode30%3 of 10 complaints
- Flashing check engine light30%3 of 10 complaints
- Stalls or shuts off20%2 of 10 complaints
Share of the complaints naming P0300 whose text also describes each problem. A complaint can describe more than one.
Codes owners report with it
Other codes named in the same Ford F-Series complaints, and in how many.
Repair costs
Ford F-Series ignition coil replacement cost · Ford F-Series spark plug replacement cost
Recalls on these Ford F-Series years
- Engine · 2022 · issued 2024
The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power. NHTSA 24V635000 - Engine · 2015 · issued 2020
The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable. NHTSA 20V098000 - Engine · 2015 · issued 2019
During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged. NHTSA 19V278000 - Engine · 2015 · issued 2018
Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage. NHTSA 18V894000
4 recalls for the same systems (engine) on the Ford F-Series model years above. A recall for the same system isn't proof it's behind P0300. Recall work is free at any dealer: check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with our VIN check.
Keep going
- P0300: meaning, causes and every car that reports it
- Ford F-Series reliability by year
- 2011 Ford F-Series problems and recalls
Other codes Ford F-Series owners report
P0720 P0722 P2112 P0707 P0706 P1702 P0016 P0721 P0705 P07F7
P0300 on other cars
Ford Escape (36) · Chevrolet Silverado (19) · Ford Fusion (19) · Honda Accord (14) · Honda CR-V (14) · Kia Soul (14) · Ford Edge (13) · Chevrolet Tahoe (11) · GMC Sierra (10)
The details
How we count
We read every owner complaint in the NHTSA file whose text names this trouble code, and count the ones filed about this model (matched by the make, model and model year on the complaint). Mileage is what the owner entered on the form.
Parts: a complaint counts for a part when one of the owner's own sentences names that part together with a cause word (failed, bad, diagnosed, caused by, leaking ...) or a repair word (replaced, repaired, new, reprogrammed ...). "Came back" means the same complaint also says the problem returned or the repair didn't fix it. These are counts of what owners wrote, not a diagnosis, and one complaint can name several parts.
Complaints are reports, not proof of a defect, and most owners never file one. Popular models get more complaints, so the counts are not a failure rate. The code meaning is the standard SAE J2012 definition in our own words, or the carmaker's meaning where we verified it for that make.
What P0300 means
The engine computer sees misfires that move around between cylinders instead of staying in one. The engine may shake, stumble or feel down on power. If the check engine light flashes, the misfire is bad enough to overheat the catalytic converter: slow down and get it checked right away.
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
- Worn spark plugs or ignition coils
- Vacuum leak
- Low fuel pressure or dirty injectors
- Engine mechanical problem (compression, valve timing)
Check the complaints yourself
NHTSA complaint numbers (search them at nhtsa.gov): 11647795, 11376484, 10966046, 10915022, 10807738, 10618835, 10561498, 10525075, 10522969, 10460698.
Quick answers
What does P0300 mean on a Ford F-Series?
Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected. The engine computer sees misfires that move around between cylinders instead of staying in one. The engine may shake, stumble or feel down on power. If the check engine light flashes, the misfire is bad enough to overheat the catalytic converter: slow down and get it checked right away.
Which Ford F-Series years have the most P0300 complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2011 (4), 2013 (3), 2022 (1) Ford F-Series named P0300 most (10 complaints in all, 2011–2022). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
What fixes P0300 on a Ford F-Series?
Owners most often name the ignition coils (2 of 10 complaints), then spark plugs. That's what owners wrote, not a diagnosis: have a shop confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
At what mileage does P0300 show up on a Ford F-Series?
Owners who gave their mileage reported a middle of 12,000 miles; half were between 7,800 and 79,000 (9 owners).
Can I drive my Ford F-Series with P0300?
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints that name P0300 on the Ford F-Series, counted by The Lemon Index; NHTSA recalls; repair bills owners named. Meanings: SAE J2012 in our own words. Owner reports, not a diagnosis or repair advice for your car.