P0300 on a 2016 Honda Cr V
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 Honda Cr V
Ranked from 388 NHTSA owner complaints filed for this vehicle.
- 1
Fuel-diluted engine oil (known 1.5T issue)
High severityDirect-injection over-fueling lets raw gasoline wash into the crankcase, thinning oil and fouling combustion; multiple owners found their dipstick smelled strongly of gas.
Reported in 3 NHTSA complaints - 2
Worn or stuck piston rings (low compression)
High severitySeveral CR-Vs needed ring and gasket replacement for rapid oil burning that left cylinders with low compression, a classic random-misfire cause.
Reported in 3 NHTSA complaints - 3
Failing high-pressure fuel pump
High severityA recall-adjacent HP fuel pump failure caused near-total power loss and misfire-like symptoms on this CR-V, requiring pump replacement.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaintParts:high-pressure fuel pump - 4
Worn spark plugs or failing ignition coil(s)
Medium severityOne owner replaced the fuel pump, injectors, spark plugs, and an ignition coil for persistent misfire and vibration, indicating ignition-side wear is common on this vehicle.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaint - 5
Faulty or clogged fuel injector(s)
Medium severityA dealer diagnosed faulty fuel injectors on this CR-V after repeated stalling and no-power complaints.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaintParts:fuel injector - 6
VTC actuator or valve-timing fault
High severityA failed VTC (variable timing control) actuator was documented on this model, causing power loss under acceleration that can present as rough running or misfire.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaintParts:VTC actuator - 7
Connecting rod bearing wear
High severityA rod-bearing rattle tied to an open recall investigation was reported on this model and can progress to misfire or engine failure.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaint - 8
Vacuum leak
Medium severityCracked intake or PCV hoses admit unmetered air and cause rough idle or misfire; inspect hoses and gaskets for cracks.
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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