P0301 Code: Honda CR-V (2017-2023) - Causes, Symptoms & Fixes

No recalls found in NHTSA database for 2017–2023 Honda CR-V in relation to P0301, and the provided data shows no NHTSA owner complaints for this exact make/model/year/issue combination. The diagnostic guide below draws on general automotive knowledge and the typical behavior of P0301 on this generation of Honda CR-V. Use it as a structured starting point, and verify with the vehicle’s service manual and a hands-on inspection.

CODE MEANING AND SEVERITY

• What P0301 means: P0301 is an OBD-II powertrain code that indicates a misfire detected in cylinder 1. The engine’s control module detected that cylinder 1 did not fire as expected during a combustion cycle.
• Severity and consequences: A single-cylinder misfire can be benign on a short drive, but persistent misfires can cause:
  • Rough idle and rough running
  • Reduced power, acceleration lag, and poor throttle response
  • Increased fuel consumption
  • Potential damage to the catalytic converter if unburned fuel passes into the exhaust
  • Possible engine knock or further misfires if the root cause is not addressed
• What to do: Treat a misfire as a potentially escalating issue. If the CEL (check engine light) is on and P0301 is stored, diagnose promptly to avoid catalyst damage or engine problems.

COMMON CAUSES ON HONDA CR-V (2017–2023)

Note: The CR-V in this generation commonly uses a 1.5L turbocharged engine with direct injection, and cylinder 1 misfires are typically linked to the following:

• Ignition subsystem
  • Faulty ignition coil on cylinder 1
  • Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 1
  • Loose or damaged ignition coil boot/connectors
• Fuel subsystem
  • Clogged or failing fuel injector for cylinder 1 (stuck open/closed, or poor spray pattern)
  • Low fuel pressure or a failing fuel pump affecting cylinder 1 (or overall fuel delivery)
  • Dirty or contaminated fuel affecting cylinder 1
• Air and intake subsystem
  • Vacuum leak around the intake manifold or around cylinder 1 (gas/air mixture abnormality)
  • PCV valve or hose issues near cylinder 1
  • Carbon buildup on intake valves (a concern with direct-injection engines)
• Mechanical/engine health
  • Low compression in cylinder 1 due to worn rings, valve_seal leaks, or head gasket issues (less common but possible)
  • Timing-related issues (rare, but timing chain tension or accessory drive can create misfire symptoms if out of sync)
• Electrical/ECM related
  • Wiring harness or connector corrosion/damage to coil or injector circuits
  • ECU/PCM fault is unlikely but possible if other causes are ruled out

SYMPTOMS OF A P0301 MISFIRE ON CR-V

• Illumination of the Check Engine Light (CEL) with code P0301
• Rough idle or vibration, especially at start-up or when stopped
• Power loss or hesitation during acceleration
• Decreased fuel economy
• Occasional stumbling or misfire felt during light to moderate loads
• In some cases, transient misfire indications may occur during cold starts and clear once the engine reaches operating temperature

DIAGNOSTIC STEPS

Begin with a systematic approach to isolate the misfire cause. The following steps help differentiate coil, plug, injector, vacuum, and compression issues:

A. Verify the code and data

• Read codes with a capable OBD-II scan tool and note freeze-frame data (engine speed, load, temperature, RPM, fuel trims, etc.).
• Confirm P0301 is the active code and note any related codes (P0300, P0351, P0352, etc., which can help identify coil/injector issues).

B. Visual inspection

• Inspect spark plug on cylinder 1 (gap, wear, fouling, oil fouling).
• Inspect ignition coil and coil boot/connector for signs of damage, arcing, or moisture.
• Check wiring harnesses to the coil and injector for looseness, corrosion, or damaged insulation.
• Inspect intake plenum, vacuum hoses, and PCV valve for leaks near cylinder 1.

C. Spark plug and ignition coil testing

• Spark plug: If fouled or worn, replace with the recommended plug for the CR-V (check owner’s manual or service spec).
• Coil swap test (if equipped with coil-on-plug assemblies):
  • Swap the coil from cylinder 1 to another cylinder (e.g., cylinder 2) and clear codes. If P0301 follows the coil (misfire moves to cylinder 2), the coil is faulty. If P0301 stays on cylinder 1, coil is likely OK.
• Coil resistance test (if you have the spec): Compare primary/secondary resistance against spec in service data.

D. Fuel injector testing

• Listen for injector operation on cylinder 1 with a mechanic’s stethoscope; a no-click could indicate a faulty injector.
• Noid light test: Verify electric signal to the injector is being delivered when the cylinder should be firing.
• Injector resistance measurement: Compare with spec for injector on cylinder 1.
• If injector is suspected, consider cleaning or replacement. In some cases, professional cleaning or replacement is required.

E. Fuel system pressure

• Measure rail fuel pressure with a suitable gauge to ensure adequate pressure and stability under load.
• Compare with the specification for the 1.5L CR-V engine. Low pressure or fluctuating pressure can cause misfires.

F. Air leaks and vacuum checks

• Verify that there are no vacuum leaks around the intake manifold, throttle body, and especially near cylinder 1.
• Check PCV valve and lines for cracks or leaks.

G. Compression test

• Perform a compression test and compare cylinder 1 with others.
• If compression is low, further inspection of valves, piston rings, or head gasket may be required.

H. Additional data checks

• Monitor live data: ignition coil duty cycle, injector duty cycle, adaptive fuel trims (LTFT/STFT), and misfire counters from the ECU during idle and at various RPMs.
• If all mechanical and electrical checks pass, you may consider advanced diagnostics or ECU/software checks (such as factory-recommended updates) with a dealer or qualified shop.

RELATED CODES

• Cylinder-specific misfire family: P0302 (cylinder 2), P0303 (cylinder 3), P0304 (cylinder 4), P0305 (cylinder 5), P0306 (cylinder 6) — if misfire is occurring on other cylinders as well.
• Random/multiple misfire: P0300
• Ignition coil circuit faults (common on many vehicles): P0351 (cylinder 1 ignition coil A primary/secondary circuit), P0352 (cylinder 2), and so on through P0356 depending on cylinder count.
• Other related diagnostics may include fuel trim codes (P0171/P0174), and general compression-related codes if mechanical issues are present.

REPAIR OPTIONS AND COSTS (2025 PRICES)

Prices vary by region, shop, and whether OEM or aftermarket parts are used. The ranges below reflect typical U.S. consumer pricing and labor plus parts.

A. Spark plug replacement (cylinder 1 or all 4)

• Parts: OEM iridium or platinum plugs typically cost $8–$25 per plug; total for 4 plugs: $32–$100.
• Labor: About 0.5–1.0 hour.
• Estimated total: $100–$250 (depending on shop rates and parts choice).

B. Ignition coil replacement (cylinder 1)

• Parts: Coil pack for cylinder 1 typically $60–$180.
• Labor: 0.8–1.5 hours.
• Estimated total: $130–$350.
• Note: If swapping confirms a faulty coil, this is the straightforward fix.

C. Fuel injector service or replacement (cylinder 1)

• Cleaning/injector additive service: $40–$150 (often done at home or a shop as a temporary fix; effectiveness varies).
• Injector replacement (cylinder 1): $150–$450 in parts; labor about 0.6–1.5 hours.
• Total typical range: $200–$650+, depending on whether cleaning suffices or a replacement is needed.

D. Fuel system pressure issues

• If fuel pressure is low or erratic, repairing the fuel pump or line may be required.
• Pump replacement typically ranges from $400–$1000 (parts + labor), depending on access and OEM vs. aftermarket.

E. Vacuum leak repair (PCV, gaskets, hoses)

• PCV valve replacement: $30–$100 parts; labor $50–$150.
• Vacuum hose/gasket repair: $50–$250 total, depending on the extent of the leak and labor.

F. Carbon buildup on intake valves (DI engine)

• If carbon buildup is contributing to misfire, cleaning can be costly on modern DI engines.
• Typical walnut blasting or similar service: $600–$1,200 (to remove carbon build-up), sometimes higher at dealership; preventative cleaning earlier can reduce severity.

G. Mechanical/compression issues

• Compression loss due to valve seats, rings, or head gasket: significant repair costs.
• Ballpark: $1,000–$3,000+ depending on extent and labor.

H. ECU/ECM or wiring repair

• Usually a last-resort and can be expensive; if a wiring harness or ECM fault is confirmed, expect diagnostics fees plus parts/labor.

DIY vs PROFESSIONAL

• DIY-friendly tasks (if you have basic tools and a spark plug wrench, multimeter, and safety gear):
  • Inspecting and replacing spark plugs (if easy access on cylinder 1).
  • Inspecting ignition coil and boot; swapping coils to test for misfire shift.
  • Visual inspection of wiring to coil and injector connectors.
  • Basic compression test (with a gauge) and reading general data with a scanned OBD tool.
• Tasks that are better left to a professional or require specialized tools:
  • Accurate fuel pressure testing with a proper gauge and test kit.
  • Precise injector testing with noid lights and electrical measurements.
  • Diagnosing vacuum leaks with smoke testing or advanced tooling.
  • DI-specific carbon buildup removal (requires specialized equipment and expertise).
  • Engine mechanical issues requiring teardown (compression imbalance due to rings/valves/head gasket).
• If you’re unsure, start with the simple, non-invasive checks (plug/coil) and then consult a professional if tests indicate injector, fuel, or compression concerns.

PREVENTION

• Regular maintenance: follow the CR-V’s service schedule for spark plugs, ignition components, air filters, and fuel system maintenance.
  • Spark plugs: replace at the manufacturer-recommended interval (often around 100,000 miles for modern OEM plugs, but verify your exact model/year). Use the correct heat range and torque spec.
  • Coils: if your vehicle shows repeated misfires that point to a particular coil, replace that coil rather than replacing multiple components.
• Fuel system care:
  • Use high-quality fuel and a reputable fuel system cleaner only as recommended.
  • Replace the fuel filter if applicable per the service schedule (some modern engines do not require a separate fuel filter service in routine maintenance).
• DI carbon buildup mitigation:
  • If your CR-V has a DI engine, consider periodic cleaning routines or dealership-technique services to minimize carbon buildup on intake valves, especially if you observe rough idle or drivability concerns at higher mileage.
• Air intake and vacuum maintenance:
  • Replace the air filter on schedule; inspect hoses and PCV valve; repair leaks promptly.
• Driving habits:
  • Short trips can contribute to valve/cylinder deposits; longer highway drives help keep the system clean.
• Diagnostics readiness:
  • If you’ve had multiple misfires in cylinder 1 or ongoing ignition issues, consider a proactive inspection of ignition coils and injectors during routine service.

Important data note

• The provided data states “No recalls found in NHTSA database” for this combination, and “No NHTSA complaints found” for 2017–2023 Honda CR-V regarding P0301. This guide is built on general automotive diagnostic practices and common cylinder 1 misfire causes seen in similar engines. Engine variants across years can differ (1.5L turbo DI is common in this generation, with some markets or early trims using different setups). Always cross-check with Honda’s service data for your exact VIN and year, and consult a qualified technician if in doubt.

If you want, I can tailor the guide further once you share your exact CR-V year, engine type (if you know it), and a description of symptoms you’re seeing (idle behavior, RPM range, whether the misfire happens under load, etc.).