2012 Nissan P0300: What It Means & Is It Safe to Drive?
P0300 on the 2012 Nissan: Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected. Here's what it means, what usually causes it, what repairs typically cost, and whether it's safe to keep driving.
What this code means
The PCM has detected misfires across multiple cylinders. This can cause damage to the catalytic converter if driven for long.
Common causes on the 2012 Nissan
- Worn spark plugs or ignition coils
- Clogged or bad fuel injectors
- Low compression
- Vacuum leak, bad MAF, or fuel delivery issue
Symptoms
- Check Engine Light (often flashing under load)
- Rough idle, shaking, loss of power
- Possible smell of unburned fuel
Typical fixes
- Replace spark plugs and coils as needed
- Clean or replace fuel injectors
- Fix vacuum/fuel issues
- Compression test if no obvious cause
Repair cost range
For a 2012 Nissan, repairs for P0300 typically fall between $150 and $1200, depending on the root cause and labor rates in your area.
Known issues on Nissan
Nissan P0300 on VQ35DE 3.5L (Maxima, Altima V6, Murano) is commonly caused by ignition coil failure—VQ35 coils fail systematically; replace all six coils and plugs when one fails to prevent repeated P0300 codes. On QR25DE 2.5L Altima, a wobbling crankshaft reluctor wheel is a known defect that produces P0300 combined with P0335—if both codes are present together, the reluctor wheel should be inspected. On Pathfinder VQ40, clean the throttle body if P0300 appears at idle.
Most commonly affected models