P0303 on 2012-2017 Chrysler 200: Cylinder 3 Misfire Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2012-2017 Chrysler 200

The 2012-2017 Chrysler 200 was available with two main engines: the 2.4L 4-cylinder and the 3.6L V6 Pentastar. While standard ignition component failure is the most common cause for P0303 on both, each has unique tendencies. The 2.4L Tigershark engine (2015-2017) is known for valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seal leaks that allow oil to pool in the spark plug tubes, shorting out the ignition coil and causing misfires. Some 3.6L Pentastar V6 engines have a known weakness in the valvetrain, where a failing rocker arm or lifter can cause a ticking noise and eventually lead to a misfire and camshaft damage.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Tap your situation to follow the diagnostic path that matches what you're seeing on this vehicle.

Generation note: This range covers two generations of the Chrysler 200: the first generation (2012-2014) and the second generation (2015-2017). Both generations offered a 2.4L inline-4 and a 3.6L V6 engine. The causes for P0303 are largely the same, but the 2.4L engine was updated from the 'World' engine to the 'Tigershark' for the second generation. The Tigershark is particularly known for its valve cover gaskets leaking oil into spark plug wells, a common cause for misfires.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Rough running engine, especially at idle.
• Hesitation or stumbling during acceleration.
• Flashing or solid Check Engine Light.
• Noticeable loss of engine power.
• Reduced fuel economy.
• Fuel smell from the exhaust.
• Ticking noise from the top of the engine (especially on 3.6L V6).

Most Likely Causes

1. Faulty Ignition Coil 🔴 High Probability → Shop Ignition Coil Coil-on-plug systems are common failure points on most modern vehicles due to heat and vibration. On the 2.4L engine, oil leaks from the valve cover gasket can saturate the coil boot, causing it to fail and require replacement along with the gasket.
   How to confirm: Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 3 with another cylinder (e.g., cylinder 1). Clear the codes and drive the vehicle. If the code changes to P0301, the ignition coil is faulty.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty ignition coil. It is often recommended to replace all coils and spark plugs at the same time for preventative maintenance, especially on higher mileage vehicles.
   Est. part cost: $30-$70
2. Worn or Fouled Spark Plug 🔴 High Probability → Shop Spark Plug Spark plugs are a regular maintenance item. On the 2.4L engine, oil leaking into the spark plug tube is a very common reason for the plug to become fouled, causing a misfire.
   How to confirm: Remove the spark plug from cylinder 3 and inspect it. Look for a worn electrode, heavy carbon buildup, oil fouling, or a cracked insulator. You can also swap the plug with another cylinder to see if the misfire follows.
   Typical fix: Replace the spark plug. It is best practice to replace all spark plugs as a set. If the plug was oil-fouled, the valve cover gasket must also be replaced.
   Est. part cost: $10-$25
3. Leaking Valve Cover Gasket (2.4L Engine) 🟡 Medium Probability → Shop Engine Valve Cover The 2.4L Tigershark engine is widely known for valve cover and spark plug tube seal leaks, which is a primary cause of ignition component failure on this platform.
   How to confirm: When you remove the ignition coil from cylinder 3, check for liquid engine oil in the spark plug tube and on the coil boot. A burning oil smell is also a common symptom.
   Typical fix: Replace the valve cover gasket set, which includes the spark plug tube seals and bolt grommets. It is critical to clean all oil out of the tube and replace the oil-soaked spark plug 🎬 Watch: 2.4L valve cover gasket and spark plug replacement guide. and ignition coil to prevent a repeat failure.
   Est. part cost: $40-$80
4. Faulty Fuel Injector ⚪ Low Probability → Shop Fuel Injector
   How to confirm: Use a mechanic's stethoscope or a long screwdriver to listen for a consistent clicking sound from the cylinder 3 injector. If it's silent or sounds different from the others, it may be faulty. A more definitive test is to swap injectors between cylinders, though this is a more involved job.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty fuel injector. This often requires removing the intake manifold.
   Est. part cost: $50-$120

Rare But Worth Checking

• Low Engine Compression: This indicates a more serious mechanical engine problem, such as a worn piston ring, a leaking valve, or a head gasket failure. A compression test is needed to diagnose this. A leak-down test can further pinpoint the source of the compression loss.
• Valvetrain Issue (3.6L Pentastar): On the 3.6L V6, a ticking noise on startup that accompanies the misfire can point to a failing lifter or rocker arm, which is a known issue on some Pentastar engines. The roller bearing on the rocker arm can fail, seize, and grind into the camshaft lobe, which then leads to a misfire. This was the subject of class-action lawsuits.
🎬 Watch this walkthrough on replacing a failed Pentastar rocker arm.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read the trouble codes with an OBD-II scanner. Note any other codes present and review freeze frame data.
2. Determine your engine type (2.4L I4 or 3.6L V6) and locate cylinder 3. On the 2.4L, the cylinders are in order from 1 to 4, left to right (passenger to driver side). On the 3.6L V6, the rear bank (closer to the firewall) contains cylinders 1, 3, and 5, from passenger side to driver side. Cylinder 3 is the middle cylinder on the rear bank.
🎬 See how to access and change V6 spark plugs and coils.
3. Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 3 with an adjacent cylinder (like cylinder 1). Clear the codes, run the engine, and re-scan. If the code changes to P0301, the coil is bad.
4. If the code remains P0303, swap the spark plug from cylinder 3 with the one from the other cylinder. If the code follows the plug, the plug is bad.
5. While the coil and plug are out, inspect the spark plug tube for oil (especially on the 2.4L engine). If oil is present, the valve cover gasket is leaking and must be replaced along with the oil-fouled components.
6. If ignition parts are good, check the wiring and connector for the cylinder 3 ignition coil and fuel injector for any damage or corrosion.
7. Listen to the fuel injector on cylinder 3 with a stethoscope to ensure it is clicking like the others.
8. If the problem persists, especially on a 3.6L with a ticking noise, suspect a mechanical issue. Perform a compression test on cylinder 3 to rule out valvetrain or other internal engine problems.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Ignition Coil (OEM #5149168AH (3.6L V6), 68242286AA (2.4L I4)) — This is one of the most common failure items for a cylinder-specific misfire due to constant exposure to heat and vibration.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, NGK, Delphi, Carquest
  OEM price range: $50-$90
  Aftermarket price range: $30-$60
• Spark Plug (OEM #SP148183AB (3.6L V6), SP149125AE (2.4L I4)) — Spark plugs are a routine wear item and are the second most likely cause of a P0303 code.
  Trusted brands: NGK, Champion
  OEM price range: $15-$25
  Aftermarket price range: $8-$15
• Valve Cover Gasket Kit (2.4L) (OEM #68193522AC) — A very common failure on the 2.4L engine, leading to oil contamination of the spark plug and coil, causing a misfire.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, Fel-Pro, Mahle
  OEM price range: $60-$90
  Aftermarket price range: $40-$80
• Rocker Arm (3.6L V6) (OEM #5184296AH) — A known failure point on the 3.6L Pentastar engine that can cause a ticking noise and a persistent misfire code after ignition components have been ruled out.
  Trusted brands: Mopar
  OEM price range: $15-$30
  Aftermarket price range: $10-$20

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0300 — If the misfire is severe or intermittent, the computer may log it as a 'Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire' in addition to the specific cylinder code.
• P0301, P0302, P0304, etc. — If other cylinder misfire codes are present, it points towards a systemic issue like a vacuum leak, low fuel pressure, or a failing MultiAir brick on the 2.4L engine. The provided TSB #1810216 also shows multiple misfire codes appearing together for the V6.
• P219A — This code for 'Bank 1 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance' can appear with a P0303 on the 3.6L V6, as a non-firing cylinder disrupts the air/fuel mixture reading for that entire bank of cylinders.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 08-027-20: Recommends replacing all four ignition coil boots on 2.4L engines (2015-2017 models) to fix rough running and multiple misfire codes, including P0303.
• 1810216: Links P0303 with multiple other misfire and O2 sensor codes on 2012 V6 models.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• TSB #08-027-20 notes that P0303 can be set along with other misfire codes and a rough running condition.
• TSB #1810216 shows P0303 appearing with a full range of other cylinder misfire codes (P0300-P0306) on the 3.6L V6, indicating a systemic issue.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Fuel Injector Coil Resistance (2.4L World Engine) — expected: 12 Ohms (High Impedance). Failure: A reading significantly higher or lower than 12 Ohms, or an open circuit.
• Fuel Injector Flow Rate (2.4L World Engine) — expected: 24 lb/hr or 252cc/min at 43.5 psi. Failure: A flow test showing a significantly lower or inconsistent spray pattern compared to other injectors.

Hidden / Shadow Codes Worth Checking

• Live Misfire Count (Mode $06): While not a 'code' in the traditional sense, dealer-level tools like the WiTECH scanner provide a live counter for misfire events on each cylinder. This allows a technician to see which cylinder is misfiring in real-time without waiting for the P0303 code to set. (see via On the Chrysler WiTECH 2.0 software, this data is found under the 'OBD2 monitors' menu, which can be an unintuitive location for technicians accustomed to finding it under a 'System Test' menu on other scan tools.)

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• Chrysler WiTECH: Cylinder Contribution Test — This function helps determine if a cylinder is not contributing equally to engine power. It can help isolate a weak cylinder when the cause of the misfire is not immediately obvious (e.g., not a completely dead coil).
• Chrysler WiTECH: View Network Topology — The WiTECH tool displays all vehicle modules in a color-coded topology map. This can quickly show if the PCM or other related modules have communication DTCs, which could indicate a wiring or network issue contributing to the misfire code, rather than a component failure.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• G200 — Located at the left end of the dash.. This is a primary interior ground point. A poor connection here could affect the instrument cluster and other modules that communicate with the PCM, potentially causing erroneous readings or communication faults.
• G105 — Located on the right side of the engine compartment.. This is a key engine bay ground. A loose or corroded connection here can affect various engine sensors and actuators, including those for the ignition or fuel system.
• G308 / G21a — Located at the right rear or left rear of the engine compartment.. These are engine-to-chassis grounds. A poor connection can cause the engine to seek a ground path through other components, leading to a host of phantom electrical issues, including weak spark or erratic sensor readings that could trigger a misfire code.
• Battery Ground Cable — The main negative battery cable connects to the chassis, often near the battery location inside the driver's side front fender.. Some owners have reported that adding a supplementary ground wire from the battery negative terminal to the chassis or transmission case has resolved intermittent electrical issues, including no-start conditions which share a root cause of poor grounding.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• YouTube channel 'Online Mechanic Tips' (Ram Promaster with 3.6L Pentastar engine (shared with Chrysler 200)) — P0303 misfire code. The owner had already tried replacing spark plugs and coils.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Swapping ignition coils, Replacing spark plugs, Swapping fuel injectors
  ✅ What actually fixed it The technician found the intake camshaft lobe for cylinder 3 was severely worn down and damaged. The root cause was a failed rocker arm whose roller had seized. The final repair required replacing the intake camshaft and the two failed rocker arms for cylinder 3.
• Go-Parts.com article citing a Reddit user comment (2015 Chrysler 200 with 2.4L MultiAir engine) — Misfire-like symptoms, engine would shut off when turning corners, and a crank-no-start condition.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Initial diagnosis was unfocused, looking at spark and fuel systems.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The engine oil level was found to be critically low. The MultiAir valvetrain system requires proper oil level and pressure to actuate the intake valves. During turns, oil sloshed away from the pickup tube, starving the system and causing the valves to operate incorrectly, mimicking a misfire. Topping up the engine oil resolved the symptoms.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 5184296AD, 5184296AE, 5184296AF, 5184296AG → 5184296AH — The original rocker arms were prone to premature failure of the roller's needle bearings. The updated part is intended to be more durable.
  Heads up: While all parts are physically compatible, using an older part number will likely lead to a repeat failure. Always use the latest revision (5184296AH or newer) for repairs. Another source mentions an updated part #68066266AD with a reinforced bearing, so it is best to confirm the latest part number with a dealer.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2011-2015 vs 2016-2017 (3.6L V6): Starting in 2016, the 3.6L Pentastar was updated with Variable Valve Lift (VVL) and a water-cooled EGR system. This makes repairs like accessing the rear bank (where cylinder 3 is) more complex, as the intake manifold and EGR components are more difficult to remove.
• 2012-2014 vs 2015-2017 (2.4L I4): The 2012-2014 models used the 2.4L 'World' engine, while the 2015-2017 models used the updated 2.4L 'Tigershark' with the MultiAir valvetrain. The Tigershark is particularly susceptible to misfires caused by low oil levels affecting the MultiAir system and oil leaks from the valve cover gasket into the spark plug tubes.