P0301 on the Nissan Altima: Meaning, Causes & Fix
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P0301 on the Nissan Altima
We don't yet have a sourced, Nissan Altima-specific note for P0301. The general causes below apply; ask Wrenchit AI with your year and engine for a ranking specific to your car.
Nissan Altima codes & symptoms · Nissan Altima recalls · Nissan Altima maintenance schedule
Causes ranked by likelihood
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Bad spark plug on cyl 1 — Cheapest fix. Replace and clear code. | Most likely | 2/5 |
| Failing ignition coil on cyl 1 — Swap with cyl 2 — if the misfire moves, replace the coil. | Possible | 2/5 |
| Faulty fuel injector on cyl 1 — Listen with a stethoscope for the click. | Less likely | 2/5 |
| Low compression on cyl 1 — Burnt valve or worn rings — major repair. | Less likely | 2/5 |
Symptoms of P0301
- Engine vibration at idle
- Flashing check engine light
- Power loss
How to diagnose P0301
- Confirm the code. Read P0301 with an OBD-II scanner and note the freeze-frame data (speed, temperature, load) recorded when it set.
- Check for companion codes. Look for other stored or pending codes such as P0300, P0302 — they often point to one shared root cause.
- Check: Bad spark plug on cyl 1. Cheapest fix. Replace and clear code.
- Check: Failing ignition coil on cyl 1. Swap with cyl 2 — if the misfire moves, replace the coil.
- Check: Faulty fuel injector on cyl 1. Listen with a stethoscope for the click.
- Check: Low compression on cyl 1. Burnt valve or worn rings — major repair.
- Clear and verify. After the repair, clear the code and complete a full drive cycle to confirm P0301 does not return.
Can I drive with P0301?
Drive only if absolutely necessary. A flashing check engine light means stop driving — you're damaging the catalytic converter.
Related codes
Related symptoms
Other codes on the Nissan Altima
Frequently asked questions
What does P0301 mean on a Nissan Altima?
P0301 means cylinder 1 misfire detected. P0301 means cylinder 1 specifically is misfiring. The fastest diagnosis is to swap the spark plug and ignition coil from cylinder 1 to another cylinder and see if the code follows.
Can I drive with code P0301 on a Nissan Altima?
Drive only if absolutely necessary. A flashing check engine light means stop driving — you're damaging the catalytic converter.
What is the most common cause of P0301?
Bad spark plug on cyl 1 — Cheapest fix. Replace and clear code.
What are the symptoms of P0301?
Engine vibration at idle, Flashing check engine light, Power loss.
How much does it cost to fix P0301 on a Nissan Altima?
A typical shop repair range is $30–$600, depending on which cause it turns out to be. Cheaper causes such as low compression on cyl 1 should be ruled out first.