P0301 on a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse
Cylinder 1 Misfire
P0301 on a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse indicates cylinder 1 misfire. Stop driving and diagnose it before continuing — it can signal an unsafe condition. The most common cause is failed ignition coil on cylinder 1 (typically $80–$450). Confirm the root cause before replacing parts.
What does P0301 mean on a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?
P0301 is set when the engine control module's misfire monitor detects that combustion is failing specifically in cylinder 1. The ECM identifies the affected cylinder by correlating crankshaft deceleration with camshaft position. The fact that only cylinder 1 is misfiring narrows the cause to parts that are specific to that cylinder — its plug, coil, injector, compression, or in some cases its harness wiring.
This guide covers P0301 across the 2015-2019 Chevrolet Traverse generation — the symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps below apply to every model year from 2015 through 2019.
Is it safe to drive a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse with P0301?
No. P0301 is a high-severity code on the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse — avoid driving until it is diagnosed and repaired, as it can indicate an unsafe condition or risk further damage.
What are the symptoms of P0301 on a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?
- Check Engine Light steady or flashing depending on misfire severity
- Distinct rough idle that smooths out at higher RPM
- Stumble or hesitation under acceleration
- Reduced engine power
- Smell of unburned fuel from the exhaust
- Faint exhaust pop or backfire on overrun in severe cases
What causes P0301 on a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?
| Cause | Likelihood | Estimated repair (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Failed ignition coil on cylinder 1 On coil-on-plug engines this is the single most likely cause. | Most common | $80–$450 |
| Worn, fouled, or wrong-gap spark plug in cylinder 1 | Most common | $15–$80 |
| Clogged, leaking, or electrically failed injector on cylinder 1 | Common | $150–$800 |
| Burnt exhaust valve or low compression on cylinder 1 | Occasional | $800–$3,500 |
| Damaged or chafed wiring to the cylinder 1 coil or injector | Occasional | $80–$300 |
| Cracked cylinder 1 intake runner or local vacuum leak | Rare | $100–$600 |
How to diagnose this on a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse
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Confirm cylinder 1 location on this engine
Cylinder 1 numbering differs by manufacturer. On most inline engines cylinder 1 is at the front. On most transverse V6s cylinder 1 is on the bank closer to the firewall. Consult the service manual before pulling parts.
Tools: Vehicle-specific service information
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Swap the cylinder 1 ignition coil with a known-good cylinder
Move the cylinder 1 coil to cylinder 2 (or any non-misfiring cylinder), and move that coil to cylinder 1. Clear codes and drive. If the misfire follows the coil to its new cylinder, replace the coil. If the misfire stays in cylinder 1, the coil is fine.
Tools: Socket set
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Swap the cylinder 1 spark plug
Use the same swap method with the spark plug. Inspect the removed plug first — a wet, fuel-soaked plug means no spark or no compression; a black sooty plug means a rich condition; a cracked ceramic means replace immediately.
Tools: Spark plug socket, Extension and ratchet
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Test the cylinder 1 injector electrically and acoustically
Listen to the injector with a stethoscope at idle — it should click rhythmically. A "noid light" or scan tool fuel-injector test confirms that the ECM is firing the injector. If it pulses but the cylinder still misfires, the injector may be clogged or leaking.
Tools: Mechanic's stethoscope, Noid light kit or scan tool injector test
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Perform a wet/dry compression test on cylinder 1
Measure compression on cylinder 1 cold and warm. If significantly lower than the other cylinders, add a teaspoon of oil through the plug hole and retest. Pressure that rises with oil points to worn rings; pressure that stays low points to valves or the head gasket.
Tools: Compression tester, Engine oil
NHTSA complaints & recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse
Owner-reported safety complaints and official recalls filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse. Use these to gauge how common a problem is on your specific vehicle before you start chasing Chevrolet Traverse diagnostics.
- ENGINE 24
- POWER TRAIN 16
- AIR BAGS 259
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 17
3 active recalls
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Oct 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.…
NHTSA campaign 21V782000 - AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS Apr 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.…
NHTSA campaign 21V246000 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE May 2023
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.…
NHTSA campaign 23V334000
How do I fix P0301 on a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse?
- Replace the cylinder 1 ignition coil
- Replace all spark plugs (always replace as a complete set)
- Replace, clean, or service the cylinder 1 fuel injector
- Repair damaged harness wiring to cylinder 1
- Head work or engine rebuild for compression-related root causes
About the 2015-2019 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2015-2019 Chevrolet Traverse was commonly sold with the following powertrains: 3.6L V6, 2.0L Turbo I4. Common trims include L, LS, LT, RS, Premier, High Country.
Why isolated-cylinder misfires are easier than P0300 alone
When the ECM can attribute the misfire to one specific cylinder, the diagnostic path is short: there are only a handful of parts unique to that cylinder. The swap test (move the coil to a different cylinder, see if the misfire follows) typically resolves a P0301 within 15 minutes of hands-on work.
When P0301 follows a coil but the coil tests good
Aftermarket coils — especially the discount bulk packs sold online — can test fine on the bench but fail under cylinder-pressure load. If a brand-new coil sets P0301 within days, replace it with an OEM or premium-aftermarket part. This is especially common on Ford modular engines and GM L83/L86 truck V8s.
P0301 on a direct-injection engine
On direct-injection engines (most modern Hondas, Mazdas, Hyundais, and many Fords from 2012 onward), carbon buildup on intake valves can cause single-cylinder misfires that ignition and fuel work will not fix. A borescope inspection through the intake port reveals the carbon. Walnut-shell blasting restores normal operation.