2012 Ram P0304: What It Means & Is It Safe to Drive?
P0304 on the 2012 Ram: Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected. Here's what it means, what usually causes it, what repairs typically cost, and whether it's safe to keep driving.
PowertrainHigh urgency
What this code means
Misfire confirmed on cylinder 4. On 4-cylinder engines, this is the last cylinder—check coil and plug first, then injector, then compression.
Common causes on the 2012 Ram
- Worn spark plug on cylinder 4
- Failed ignition coil on cylinder 4
- Faulty or clogged fuel injector
- Low compression or valve issue
Symptoms
- Check Engine Light
- Rough idle and shaking
- Poor acceleration or power loss
Typical fixes
- Replace spark plug and COP coil on cylinder 4
- Clean or replace fuel injector
- Compression and leak-down test if basic parts check out
Repair cost range
For a 2012 Ram, repairs for P0304 typically fall between $150 and $900, depending on the root cause and labor rates in your area.
Known issues on Ram
Ram 5.7L HEMI P0304 can indicate an MDS lifter collapse on cylinder 4, a deactivation cylinder. On the 3.0L EcoDiesel, P0304 is rare and usually indicates a fuel injector fault—a specialist diesel scanner is needed to confirm.
Most commonly affected models
Ram 1500 5.7L HEMI 2009–2021Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 3.0L 2014–2019