P0300 on Saturn
Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0300 on Saturn vehicles indicates random/multiple cylinder misfire detected. Au7o has documented this code across 3 Saturn models — most commonly on Aura, S-Series, Vue. P0300 means the engine computer detected misfires occurring randomly or across multiple cylinders rather than in one specific cylinder. A misfire is when a cylinder fails to ignite its fuel-air mixture properly, which the computer senses through small fluctuations in crankshaft speed. Because it's not isolated to one cylinder, the cause is usually something that affects the whole engine — like fuel, air, or ignition system problems — rather than a single coil or plug. Persistent or heavy misfiring wastes fuel, runs rough, and can damage the catalytic converter, which is why a flashing check engine light should be taken seriously. Typical repair costs on Saturn range from $50 to $800, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0300
- •Worn or fouled spark plugs (across cylinders)
- •Vacuum or intake air leak
- •Weak fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, or low fuel pressure
- •Failing ignition coils or worn spark plug wires
- •Dirty or faulty mass airflow (MAF) sensor
- •Clogged or dirty fuel injectors
- •Faulty crankshaft/camshaft position sensor
- •Low compression or EGR/PCV system faults
P0300 on Saturn by Model
Saturn Aura(1 issue)
- 3.6L Random/Multiple-Cylinder Misfire2007-2009
The 3.6L V6 Auras are reported to throw misfire codes, frequently as a downstream symptom of the stretched timing chains but also from worn ignition coils/spark plugs or carbon buildup on the direct-injection intake valves. Owners experience rough idle, hesitation, and a check engine light. P0300 with cylinder-specific misfire codes is common.
Saturn S-Series(1 issue)
- DIS Ignition Module / Coil Pack Failure Causing Cylinder Misfires1991-1999
The Saturn S-Series uses a Distributorless Ignition System (DIS) with a waste-spark coil pack mounted on top of the engine. The coils and the Ignition Control Module (ICM) fail with age, throwing P0300-series misfire codes (commonly P0301 or P0302). A subtle but documented contributor is poor grounding: the ICM grounds to the transmission bellhousing via a stud, and corrosion on this ground path causes intermittent misfires that are easily misdiagnosed as coil failure. The waste-spark design uses the #4 plug firing on the compression stroke to fake a cam signal, so if the #4 coil weakens, the DIS may also lose its cam-position reference, causing cascading driveability issues.
Saturn Vue(1 issue)
- V6 Valve Cover Gasket Oil Leak Soaking Coil Boots → Misfires2004-2007
On the 3.0L and 3.5L V6 Vue models, the valve cover gaskets become brittle and leak oil down into the spark plug tubes. The oil soaks the coil-on-plug boots, causing the rubber to swell and degrade so spark grounds out, producing misfires and rough running. Oil also drips onto the exhaust manifold, creating a burning-oil smell.
Looking for P0300 on a different make?
View P0300 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0300 mean on Saturn?▼
P0300 stands for "Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected." P0300 means the engine computer detected misfires occurring randomly or across multiple cylinders rather than in one specific cylinder. A misfire is when a cylinder fails to ignite its fuel-air mixture properly, which the computer senses through small fluctuations in crankshaft speed. Because it's not isolated to one cylinder, the cause is usually something that affects the whole engine — like fuel, air, or ignition system problems — rather than a single coil or plug. Persistent or heavy misfiring wastes fuel, runs rough, and can damage the catalytic converter, which is why a flashing check engine light should be taken seriously. On Saturn specifically, this code is documented across 3 models.
What causes P0300 on Saturn vehicles?▼
Common causes on Saturn: Worn or fouled spark plugs (across cylinders), Vacuum or intake air leak, Weak fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, or low fuel pressure, Failing ignition coils or worn spark plug wires, Dirty or faulty mass airflow (MAF) sensor. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0300 on a Saturn?▼
Repair costs on Saturn range from $50 to $800, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Saturn models have P0300 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0300 on 3 Saturn models: Aura, S-Series, Vue.