The Lemon IndexCylinder 1 is not firing properly, so the engine runs rough and loses some power. Full P0301 page
10 owner complaints · the #9 code Honda Pilot owners name · 5% of Honda Pilot complaints that name a code (every car: 2.2%)
2006–2019 Honda Pilot · most: 2016 (2), 2013 (2), 2019 (1)
Honda Pilot owners named P0301 in 10 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2016, 2013 and 2019 model years. The part they name most is the pistons, rings or valves (3 complaints). Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Honda Pilot model years that report P0301
Owner complaints naming P0301, by model year. Raw counts: years that sold more get more complaints, so this is each model year's record, not a failure rate.
What owners say caused it or fixed it
The most-named part is the pistons, rings or valves, in 3 of the 10 complaints (30%). 2 of those mention it being replaced or repaired, and 1 say the problem came back afterwards. Next: spark plugs (2).
- Pistons, rings or valves3 complaints2 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back
- Spark plugs2 complaints1 mentions a repair or replacement · what Honda Pilot owners paid
5 complaints mention a recall and 3 mention a warranty.
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 P0301
50% of these complaints say the check engine light came on.
- Shakes, runs rough or misfires80%8 of 10 complaints
- Flashing check engine light20%2 of 10 complaints
Share of the complaints naming P0301 whose text also describes each problem. A complaint can describe more than one.
Codes owners report with it
P0304 3
Other codes named in the same Honda Pilot complaints, and in how many.
Repair costs
Honda Pilot spark plug replacement cost
Recalls on these Honda Pilot years
- Engine · 2016, 2019 · issued 2023
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine. NHTSA 23V751000 - Engine · 2019 · issued 2019
The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt. NHTSA 19V298000 - Engine · 2013 · issued 2013
During manufacturing of the engine piston, it is possible that the heat treatment process was not properly applied, resulting in the piston having an insufficient hardness level, making it more susceptible to premature w… NHTSA 13V382000
3 recalls for the same systems (engine) on the Honda Pilot model years above. A recall for the same system isn't proof it's behind P0301. Recall work is free at any dealer: check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with our VIN check.
Keep going
- P0301: meaning, causes and every car that reports it
- Honda Pilot reliability by year
- 2016 Honda Pilot problems and recalls
Other codes Honda Pilot owners report
P0430 U3000 P219A P219B P0304 P0369 P0741 P0087 P0420
P0301 on other cars
Ford Escape (53) · Ford Edge (43) · Honda Odyssey (27) · Ford Fusion (23) · Honda Accord (18) · Honda CR-V (17)
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 P0301 means
Cylinder 1 is not firing properly, so the engine runs rough and loses some power. A flashing check engine light means the misfire is serious enough to damage the catalytic converter, so 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.
- Spark plug or ignition coil on cylinder 1
- Fuel injector on cylinder 1
- Vacuum leak near that cylinder
- Low compression (valve or piston ring problem)
Check the complaints yourself
NHTSA complaint numbers (search them at nhtsa.gov): 11761766, 11730771, 11729513, 11721437, 11527408, 11424526, 11331364, 11306832, 11142493, 10994557.
Quick answers
What does P0301 mean on a Honda Pilot?
Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected. Cylinder 1 is not firing properly, so the engine runs rough and loses some power. A flashing check engine light means the misfire is serious enough to damage the catalytic converter, so slow down and get it checked right away.
Which Honda Pilot years have the most P0301 complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2016 (2), 2013 (2), 2019 (1) Honda Pilot named P0301 most (10 complaints in all, 2006–2019). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
What fixes P0301 on a Honda Pilot?
Owners most often name the pistons, rings or valves (3 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.
Can I drive my Honda Pilot with P0301?
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 P0301 on the Honda Pilot, 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.