P0316

Engine Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions)

Ignition / misfire Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0316 means the engine's misfire monitor detected misfiring during the first 1000 revolutions after startup — the cold, rich window right after you turn the key. It's often set alongside a random (P0300) or cylinder-specific misfire code, and points to ignition or fuel problems that show up worst when the engine is cold. Because misfires can overheat the catalytic converter, it's worth diagnosing promptly.

High

Can I keep driving? Drive cautiously — the engine misfires right after starting; sustained misfires can damage the catalytic converter, so diagnose it soon.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

541

scans in the past year

Found in

0.1%

of scans

0.1%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0316 scans

P1000in 32.5% of scans

P0300in 31.1% of scans

P0305in 24.0% of scans

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on (may flash during the startup misfire)
Rough running, shaking, or near-stall in the first seconds after a cold start
Hard starting and rough idle that often smooths out as the engine warms
Reduced power and hesitation while the misfire is active

Common causes

Most likely first

Worn or fouled spark plugsLikely
Failing ignition coil(s)Common
Clogged/leaking fuel injectors or low fuel pressure at startupCommon
Vacuum leak that worsens the cold, rich startup mixtureLess often
Failing crankshaft or camshaft position sensor giving a poor initial signalLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and check for cylinder-specific misfire codes (P0301–P0308) to see if the miss is isolated.
Inspect the spark plugs and coils, and replace worn plugs — the most common startup-misfire cause.
Check fuel pressure at key-on/start and test the injectors for clogging or leak-down.
Test for vacuum leaks around the intake.
Scan the crank and cam sensor signals for dropouts; clear the code and re-test over several cold starts.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0316?+

Briefly, and cautiously. The misfire is worst right at startup and may ease as the engine warms, but any misfire can send raw fuel into the catalytic converter. Diagnose it before it becomes a persistent miss.

Can I just clear P0316?+

It will return on the next cold start because the ECM specifically watches the first 1000 revolutions. Fixing the plugs, coils, or fuel delivery is what keeps it from coming back.