P0303 on Skoda
Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
P0303 on Skoda vehicles indicates cylinder 3 misfire detected. Au7o has documented this code across 2 Skoda models — most commonly on Fabia, Octavia. This code means your engine's computer detected a misfire specifically in cylinder number 3 — that cylinder isn't burning its fuel-air mixture properly or completely. The computer senses misfires by watching for tiny fluctuations in crankshaft speed each time a cylinder is supposed to fire. A misfire wastes fuel, can cause a noticeable shake, rough idle or loss of power, and can flood raw fuel into the exhaust where it may overheat and damage the catalytic converter. Because the fault is isolated to one cylinder, the cause is usually something specific to that cylinder's ignition, fuel delivery, or compression. Typical repair costs on Skoda range from $1,000 to $3,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0303
- •Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 3
- •Failed or weak ignition coil on cylinder 3
- •Bad spark plug wire or boot (where applicable)
- •Clogged or leaking fuel injector for cylinder 3
- •Vacuum or intake air leak affecting that cylinder
- •Low compression (worn rings, burnt/leaking valve, head gasket)
- •Wiring or connector fault at the coil or injector
P0303 on Skoda by Model
Skoda Fabia(1 issue)
- 1.2 TSI Timing Chain Tensioner Failure2010-2014
Same EA111 1.2 TSI timing chain tensioner defect as Octavia (above) — affects Mk2 (2010-2014) and early Mk3 (2014-2017) Fabia. Tensioner cannot hold pressure during cold start. Often slightly more prevalent on Fabia due to short-trip city use pattern typical of this segment.
Skoda Octavia(1 issue)
- EA111 1.2/1.4 TSI Timing Chain Tensioner Failure2010-2016
Mk2 and early Mk3 Octavias with the EA111 1.2 TSI (CBZA/CBZB) and 1.4 TSI Twincharger (CAVD/CTHE) engines suffer premature timing chain tensioner failure. The tensioner cannot maintain pressure during cold starts and shutdowns, causing the chain to slap, jump teeth, or in severe cases damage valves. Common in the 50,000-80,000 mi window. Same defect affects VW Polo/Golf/Touran, Seat Ibiza/Leon, Audi A1 with these engines. VW Group issued service campaign 13D2 for tensioner replacement on some VINs.
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View P0303 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0303 mean on Skoda?▼
P0303 stands for "Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected." This code means your engine's computer detected a misfire specifically in cylinder number 3 — that cylinder isn't burning its fuel-air mixture properly or completely. The computer senses misfires by watching for tiny fluctuations in crankshaft speed each time a cylinder is supposed to fire. A misfire wastes fuel, can cause a noticeable shake, rough idle or loss of power, and can flood raw fuel into the exhaust where it may overheat and damage the catalytic converter. Because the fault is isolated to one cylinder, the cause is usually something specific to that cylinder's ignition, fuel delivery, or compression. On Skoda specifically, this code is documented across 2 models.
What causes P0303 on Skoda vehicles?▼
Common causes on Skoda: Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 3, Failed or weak ignition coil on cylinder 3, Bad spark plug wire or boot (where applicable), Clogged or leaking fuel injector for cylinder 3, Vacuum or intake air leak affecting that cylinder. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0303 on a Skoda?▼
Repair costs on Skoda range from $1,000 to $3,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Skoda models have P0303 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0303 on 2 Skoda models: Fabia, Octavia.