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What P0301 means for your Toyota Tundra
Your Tundra dropped a combustion event on cyl 1. The 5.7L 3UR-FE V8 follows the classic Toyota coil-on-plug pattern - cyl 1 fails first because of timing-chain heat. The 2022+ 3.5L V35A twin-turbo is a totally different animal: cyl 1 sits under the driver-side turbo and sees the highest exhaust back-pressure, so coil and plug failures plus wastegate flutter all show up there first.
Top Causes of P0301 on the Toyota Tundra
50%
#1 CAUSE
Cylinder 1 Coil Pack Failure (V8)
The 3UR-FE V8 has individual COPs on each cylinder. Cyl 1 is bank 1 (passenger side, front) on the Tundra and runs hottest near the timing chain. Denso 90919-02260 or NGK U5099. Tundras at 100k+ miles often need the whole coil set, but swap-test cyl 1 to confirm.
OEM Coil
$90-$140
Coil Set (8)
$320-$520
w/Labor
$150-$280
25%
#2 CAUSE
Worn Iridium Spark Plugs (V8 set of 8)
Toyota specs Denso SK20HR11 iridium plugs at 120k miles on the 5.7L V8. Past 130k cyl 1 fouls first. ALWAYS do all 8 at once - rear plugs require removing the intake manifold so labor doubles if you skip them. Gap to 0.043".
Plugs (8)
$70-$120
w/Labor
$280-$520
DIY
2-3 hrs
15%
#3 CAUSE
Turbo Wastegate Flutter / Cyl-1 Boost Spike (V35A)
2022+ Tundra 3.5L V35A-FTS twin-turbo has documented cyl-1 misfire on aggressive lift-off throttle. The driver-side turbo wastegate flutters under decel boost, causing a brief lean spike that misfires cyl 1. Toyota TSB T-SB-0049-23 reflashes the ECM to dampen wastegate response.
ECM Reflash
TSB - $0 warranty
Wastegate
$280-$600
w/Labor
$400-$900
Most Affected Tundra Model Years
| Year | Engine | Primary Cause | Typical Mileage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2021 | 5.7L 3UR-FE V8 | Coil pack #1 | 100k-180k | Classic V8 COP pattern |
| 2010-2019 | 4.6L 1UR-FE V8 | Coil + plug | 110k-180k | Less common - lower compression |
| 2022-2024 | 3.5L V35A Twin-Turbo | Wastegate flutter | 30k-80k | TSB T-SB-0049-23 reflash |
TSB info: Toyota TSB T-SB-0049-23 (wastegate flutter reflash 2022+ V35A); T-SB-0050-15 (V8 coil replacement procedures).
How to Diagnose P0301 on a Toyota Tundra
- Pull the engine cover - on the 5.7L V8, swap coil 1 (passenger front) with coil 3. Drive 20 miles. If code moves to cyl 3, replace coil 1.
- On a 5.7L past 110k miles, do all 8 coils AND all 8 plugs at once. The rear bank requires intake manifold removal - don't pay double labor by doing it twice.
- On the 2022+ V35A twin-turbo, scan for TSB T-SB-0049-23 first. If your VIN qualifies, the wastegate reflash is a free fix under powertrain warranty.
Want a step-by-step walkthrough specific to your Toyota Tundra? Run a $5.99 AI diagnosis report - we narrow the cause to your year, engine, and symptoms.
P0301 Toyota Tundra FAQs
How much is P0301 going to cost on a Tundra?
5.7L V8 coil alone: $150-$280 at a shop. Full plug + coil set (recommended past 100k): $600-$1,200. The 2022+ V35A wastegate TSB is free under warranty.
Should I replace all 8 coils on a Tundra?
If you're past 110k miles, yes. The labor to access cyl 1 is the same as cyl 1-2-3-4, but rear bank coils need intake removal. Doing all 8 at once saves about $400 in repeat labor.
Is the 2022+ Tundra V35A P0301 covered by Toyota?
Yes - TSB T-SB-0049-23 covers wastegate-related misfires under 5-year/60k powertrain warranty. Bring the truck to a Toyota dealer for the ECM reflash.
Will premium gas fix P0301 on my Tundra?
The 5.7L V8 doesn't need premium and premium won't fix a bad coil. The 3.5L V35A twin-turbo is rated for 87 octane but runs noticeably smoother on 91+, which can mask but not fix a developing misfire.