P0301 on Dodge: How to Diagnose & Fix
Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
9 Dodge models · 15 documented issues · 7 critical · $100-$15,000 repair
P0301 on Dodge by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
HEMI engines with Multi-Displacement System (MDS) can develop a ticking noise from the MDS lifters. This is most noticeable at idle and during light acceleration. While often not immediately harmful, it can indicate lifter wear.
Common Symptoms
- Ticking noise at idle
- Tick that follows engine RPM
- Noise louder when warm
- Tick comes and goes
- Sound from top of engine
How to Fix
Use quality synthetic oil meeting Chrysler MS-6395 spec. MDS delete kit available for permanent solution. Some owners have had lifters replaced under extended warranty. Regular oil changes help minimize tick.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Mopar 53022263AF 5.7L HEMI MDS/VVT camshaft
Replace only when inspection shows lifter-related lobe damage Fitment: Verified 5.7L branch; not the 6.4L camshaft Live OEM direct product page when checked
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HEMI engines with Multi-Displacement System (MDS) can develop a ticking noise from the MDS lifters. This tick is most noticeable at idle and during light acceleration. While often not causing immediate damage, it can indicate lifter wear that may eventually require attention.
Common Symptoms
- Ticking noise at idle
- Tick that follows engine RPM
- Noise louder when engine is warm
- Tick comes and goes
- Noise from top of engine
How to Fix
Use quality synthetic oil meeting Chrysler MS-6395 spec. Consider MDS delete kit if desired permanent solution. Some owners have had lifters replaced under extended warranty. Regular oil changes help minimize tick.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Genuine Mopar 53022298AB Multiple Displacement Solenoid
Replace only when testing shows the solenoid/control branch is faulty rather than a collapsed lifter or worn cam Fitment: 2010-2024 5.7L/6.4L MDS applications per live title; confirm the vehicle actually has MDS Live direct US performanc…
Sources for this issue (1)
The 3.6L Pentastar V6 can develop a ticking noise often related to the rocker arms or hydraulic lifters. This is common on engines with higher mileage or irregular oil change intervals. Some early Pentastar engines had rocker arm design issues that were later updated.
Common Symptoms
- Ticking noise at startup
- Tick that varies with RPM
- Noise from valve cover area
- Check engine light with misfire codes
- Rough idle in severe cases
How to Fix
Use quality synthetic oil and change regularly. If tick is severe, rocker arms may need replacement with updated design. Some owners have had success with engine flush treatments. Check for TSBs related to your model year.
Sources for this issue (1)
Some 2015-2021 Dodge Challenger 5.7L and 6.4L engines can develop a persistent engine-speed-related tick, rough idle, loss of power, or misfire from hydraulic roller-lifter, roller, or cam-lobe wear. A tick alone does not prove internal wear: exhaust-manifold leakage, injector noise, oil-pressure concerns, and other causes must be ruled out. MDS fitment is transmission-specific, not engine-name-wide: automatic 5.7L and 6.4L applications use cylinder deactivation, while six-speed manual applications are non-MDS. Cam and lifter wear is not limited to MDS hardware.
Common Symptoms
- Ticking noise at idle
- Tick goes away when engine warms up
- Tick more prominent on cold start
- Noise from top of engine
How to Fix
Retrieve DTC and misfire data, localize the noise, and check for exhaust-manifold leakage before buying internal parts. If cam/lifter wear is suspected, inspect the lifter rollers and cam lobes and check the VVT oil-control-valve screen for metal debris. FCA STAR case S1709000010 directs camshaft/lifter replacement when wear is confirmed and no screen debris is present; debris can indicate that a larger repair or engine replacement is required. Use the lifter type that matches the factory transmission/MDS configuration and verify by VIN. A stock automatic-MDS full-engine service set requires two front 5038785AD packs and two rear 5038786AD packs. A factory non-MDS/manual full-engine set requires four OEM 5038784AD packs, or an exact retailer bundle of sixteen lifters and four yokes. On an automatic-MDS car, non-MDS lifters are only one part of a complete engineered mechanical delete with compatible cam/supporting parts and calibration. Correct oil and electronic MDS disabling do not repair a worn lifter, roller, or camshaft.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Genuine Mopar 5038785AD front MDS hydraulic lifters and yoke pack
Front-position MDS lifter pack for a confirmed MDS valvetrain repair after the heads are removed and roller/cam damage is inspected Fitment: Live fitment lists 2009-2023 Challenger 5.7L/6.4L, but the year-specific catalog specifies MDS/f…
- Genuine Mopar 5038786AD rear MDS hydraulic lifters and yoke pack
Rear-position companion pack for a complete factory-MDS lifter repair Fitment: Live fitment lists 2009-2023 Challenger 5.7L/6.4L; pair with the front packs only on a verified MDS engine, and confirm that two front plus two rear packages …
- Genuine Mopar 5038784AD complete non-MDS HEMI lifter/yoke bundle
Complete lifter branch for a factory non-MDS/manual-transmission 5.7L or 6.4L after cam and roller inspection confirms replacement Fitment: Live bundle explicitly contains 16 lifters and four yokes and lists 2015-2023 Challenger 5.7L/6.4…
- Genuine Mopar 53022372AA 5.7L MDS/VVT camshaft
Camshaft replacement when lifter-roller failure has visibly or measurably damaged a lobe on the verified 5.7L MDS engine Fitment: Year-specific catalogs identify this as the 5.7L MDS cam; direct fitment lists 2009-2023 Challenger 5.7L. D…
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The 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine can develop a ticking noise from worn rocker arms. Unlike the HEMI MDS tick, this is caused by the roller follower rocker arms wearing out prematurely. The issue typically appears between 50,000-100,000 miles and is more common on 2011-2013 engines but can occur on later models.
Common Symptoms
- Ticking noise from engine at idle
- Tick may worsen when engine is warm
- Check engine light for misfire codes
- Rough idle in severe cases
- Ticking noise changes with RPM
How to Fix
Replace the affected rocker arms. Many owners replace all 24 rocker arms preventatively when doing this repair ($400-800 for parts). Labor is 4-6 hours ($400-600). Total repair cost is typically $800-1,400. Using quality synthetic oil and regular oil changes can help prevent premature wear.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Mopar 5184296AH valve rocker arm
Replacement for each rocker whose roller, bearing or contact surface is confirmed faulty after the valve cover is removed and the cam lobes are inspected Fitment: Live OEM fitment lists 2011-2023 Challenger 3.6L and the year catalog requ…
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A P0300 "random/multiple cylinder misfire" code with a rough, shaking idle is one of the most common drivability complaints on the Dodge Challenger, and on a high-mileage or maintenance-overdue car it is most often caused by worn spark plugs and/or weak ignition coils rather than an internal engine fault. The 5.7L and 6.4L HEMI V8s are especially prone because they run two spark plugs per cylinder (16 total), so worn plugs are a frequent misfire source; the 3.6L Pentastar V6 also commonly throws misfires from failing coil-on-plug units. Because P0300 is the "random/multiple" code (versus cylinder-specific P0301–P0308), it points to a condition affecting several cylinders at once — typically a full set of tired plugs, or coils that break down intermittently under load/heat. Owners notice it most at idle and during light acceleration. Critical: if the check engine light is FLASHING, the misfire is severe enough to dump raw fuel into the exhaust, which can quickly overheat and destroy the catalytic converter(s) — turning a routine tune-up into a far more expensive repair. Note: the 2011–2013 3.6L V6 also had a documented left-cylinder-head defect (Chrysler warranty extension X56), and 2014+ Pentastars can suffer rocker-arm needle-bearing wear; these can present similar misfire codes and should be ruled out if new plugs and coils don't resolve the P0300.
Common Symptoms
- Check engine light with code P0300 (random/multiple cylinder misfire)
- Rough, shaking, or unstable idle
- Hesitation or stumble under light acceleration
- Reduced power and engine surging
- Flashing check engine light during a severe misfire (warns of catalytic converter damage)
- Slightly rough running or vibration felt through the cabin
- Occasional rotten-egg/sulfur smell or fuel smell if cat is being damaged
How to Fix
Start with a full ignition tune-up before chasing internal-engine causes. Pull and inspect the spark plugs for wear, fouling, or excessive gap; replace the complete set with the correct factory-spec iridium plugs (HEMI V8s take 16 plugs — both banks must be done). To pinpoint a bad coil, swap the coil from a suspect cylinder to an adjacent easy-access one, clear codes, and retest — if the misfire follows the coil, replace that coil (replacing all coils as a set is common on high-mileage cars). Also check for vacuum/intake leaks (smoke test) and inspect fuel injectors if plugs and coils are good. Spark plug intervals: the 5.7L HEMI called for ~30,000 miles through 2013, extended to ~100,000 miles for 2014+; long-life iridium plugs are standard. DIY parts are inexpensive (a set of HEMI plugs runs roughly $130, individual coils are modest), making this a high-value job to do yourself. If the CEL is flashing, stop driving and tow it to avoid catalytic-converter damage. If a fresh set of plugs and coils does NOT clear the P0300, move on to compression/leak-down testing to rule out the 2011–2013 head defect or rocker-arm/lifter wear.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Genuine Mopar SP149125AF spark plug
Complete six-plug tune-up branch when inspection, service interval or testing identifies worn/fouled plugs on the 3.6L Pentastar Fitment: Live exact fitment lists 2011-2023 Challenger 3.6L and supersedes SP149125AD/AE; a complete engine …
- Genuine Mopar SP143877AB spark plug
Later 5.7L sixteen-plug tune-up branch after confirming the model year/engine specification Fitment: Live exact fitment lists 2014-2023 Challenger 5.7L and supersedes SP143877AA/68143877AB; a complete engine set requires 16 individual pl…
- Genuine Mopar SP149212AC spark plug
6.4L sixteen-plug tune-up branch when plug wear/fouling is confirmed Fitment: Live exact fitment and year catalog list 2011-2023 Challenger 6.4L; a complete engine set requires 16 individual plugs $13.46 each and Add to Cart on the live …
- Genuine Mopar 5149168AJ ignition coil, current replacement for 5149168AI/AH
Confirm VIN and current supersession $86.63 each and Add to Cart on the live OEM supersession page when checked
- Genuine Mopar 68238603AA V8 ignition coil
Test-confirmed coil replacement branch for the 5.7L or 6.4L after a coil swap/circuit test identifies the failure Fitment: Live exact fitment includes 2008-2023 Challenger V8 applications and year catalogs require eight coils; the issue …
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Sources for this issue (1)
P0301 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0301 mean on a Dodge?
P0301 stands for "Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected." P0301 means the engine computer detected a misfire specifically in cylinder 1 — the spark didn't ignite the fuel properly, or the fuel/air mix didn't burn as it should. The computer detects this by sensing tiny variations in crankshaft speed each time a cylinder fires. A misfire wastes fuel, raises emissions, and can damage the catalytic converter if it's severe or persistent (a flashing check engine light usually warns of active, converter-damaging misfires). Because the code points to one specific cylinder, the cause is usually an ignition, fuel, or compression problem isolated to that cylinder. On Dodge it is documented across 9 models: Durango, Charger, Challenger, Ram 1500, Grand Caravan, Journey, Avenger, Viper, Neon.
What are the most common causes of P0301?
The most common causes of P0301 are: Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 1, Failed ignition coil or coil pack for cylinder 1, Faulty or clogged fuel injector for cylinder 1, Vacuum or intake air leak affecting that cylinder, Bad spark plug wire (on applicable engines), Low compression (worn rings, leaking or burnt valve, head gasket), Carbon buildup on intake valves, Wiring or connector fault to the coil or injector. The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0301 on a Dodge?
Published repair estimates on Dodge range from $100 to $15,000 depending on the model and root cause. If an issue mentions a recall or campaign, check your VIN with the manufacturer or NHTSA and confirm eligibility and coverage with a dealer.
Looking for P0301 on a different make?
View P0301 across all makes →Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.