P0300 on a 2016 Ford F 250 Super Crew
P0300 is a generic OBD2 powertrain code for random or multiple cylinder misfire. Unlike P0301 through P0308, it does not point to one specific cylinder, so the cause can be ignition, fuel, air, sensor, or mechanical.
Not your vehicle? See general P0300 info.
Most common causes on the 2016 Ford F 250 Super Crew
Ranked from 287 NHTSA owner complaints filed for this vehicle.
- 1
Internal engine damage (cylinder-specific failure, low compression)
High severityMultiple owners report sudden loss of power, smoke, or a loud pop followed by dealer/shop diagnosis of a specific-cylinder failure or catastrophic damage requiring engine replacement.
Reported in 3 NHTSA complaints - 2
Rough running/shudder during DPF regeneration cycle
Medium severityTwo owners describe a loud 'jackhammer' noise and power loss specifically during exhaust regeneration, a diesel-specific rough-combustion event that can register as a misfire.
Reported in 2 NHTSA complaintsParts:fuel injector - 3
Faulty knock sensor affecting injection/spark timing correction
Medium severityOne owner had the rear knock sensor diagnosed as defective; a bad knock sensor can cause the PCM to retard timing and produce rough-running symptoms perceived as misfire.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaintParts:knock sensor - 4
Failing or clogged fuel injector(s)
Medium severityA partially clogged or leaking injector under-fuels or over-fuels a cylinder, a common diesel misfire cause.
Common causeParts:fuel injector - 5
Glow plug failure
Low severityA failed glow plug causes hard cold-starting and a cold-cylinder misfire on diesel engines until the engine warms fully.
Common causeParts:glow plug - 6
Turbocharger boost/intake leak
Medium severityA leaking charge-air or intake connection reduces cylinder air charge unevenly, a diesel-specific contributor to rough running.
Common cause
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These causes are aggregated from NHTSA owner complaints and general repair knowledge — this is not a diagnosis. P0300 on your car still needs shop confirmation before any repair.
Common symptoms
- Flashing or steady check engine light
- Rough idle
- Shaking under acceleration
- Loss of power
- Fuel smell from exhaust
What to check before replacing parts
Scan for cylinder-specific misfire codes
Look for: A companion P0301–P0308 pins the misfire to one cylinder — start there. P0300 with no cylinder code points at something hitting several at once: fuel pressure, a large vacuum leak, or timing.
Inspect the spark plugs and coils
Look for: Pull the plugs: black/sooty = rich, oily = oil intrusion, white/blistered = lean or overheating, cracked porcelain or an out-of-spec gap = replace. Then swap a coil to another cylinder — if a cylinder-specific code follows the coil, the coil is bad.
Check fuel trims for a vacuum leak
Look for: High positive short- and long-term trims (worst at idle, improving as RPM rises) mean unmetered air is getting in. Smoke-test the intake and listen for hissing.
Verify fuel pressure
Look for: Compare running/cranking pressure to the vehicle spec. Low or dropping pressure starves multiple cylinders and reads as a random misfire — suspect the pump, filter, or regulator.
Compression / leak-down test if ignition and fuel check out
Look for: A cylinder 15%+ below the others, or leak-down hissing from the intake (intake valve), exhaust (exhaust valve), or oil filler (rings), means the misfire is mechanical — not a swap-in part.
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