Engine codes
P0302: cylinder 2 misfire detected
P0302 points to a single cylinder, number 2. Before any test, find it: on a V6 or V8, cylinder 2 is often on the opposite bank from cylinder 1, and on some engines it is hidden under the intake.
P0302: can I drive, and what will the labor cost?
Estimated labor, replace one ignition coil
$22 to $88
| Labor time (estimate) | 0.2 to 0.8 h |
| Rate used | $110/h |
| Technician wage, United States (average) | $27.13/h |
| High: limit driving, fix within days Limit driving; stop if the light flashes. | |
Labor only: parts and the diagnostic fee are not included. Hours are our estimate for a typical car; book times vary by model. Wage: BLS, May 2025.
P0302 is the generic OBD-II code for "cylinder 2 misfire detected". The computer has counted repeated combustion failures on cylinder 2. As with any single-cylinder misfire, the first suspects are that cylinder's ignition coil and spark plug, then its injector, then a leak in the intake right next to it, and only then the engine's mechanical condition. What makes P0302 different is where the cylinder sits. On most inline four-cylinder engines it is the second from the timing end and easy to reach. On many V engines, makers number the cylinders alternately across the banks, so cylinder 2 sits on bank 2, opposite cylinder 1; others number one bank and then the other. On a transverse V6, the rear bank can be under the intake plenum, which turns a quick plug change into a job of 1.5 and 3.5 hours of labor. Limit driving and stop if the light flashes.
Coil swap test: does the misfire follow the coil?
Result
Coil
| What it means: The misfire moved with the coil: replace that ignition coil. |
Swap only with the engine off and the coil connectors clipped back. Read the per-cylinder misfire counters, or wait for the new P030x code, before concluding.
Codes, rules and labor data checked by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method and sources
P0302 at a glance
| Code | P0302 |
| Standard description | Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected |
| System | Ignition and misfire |
| Severity | High: limit driving, fix within days |
| Common symptoms | shake at idle, hesitation |
Two numbering schemes
Some makers count 1-2-3 down one bank, then 4-5-6 down the other; then cylinder 2 is next to cylinder 1. Others count 1-3-5 on one bank and 2-4-6 on the other; then cylinder 2 is across the engine. Both are common in US cars and trucks. A wrong guess means testing the wrong coil, so check the service information or the diagram printed on some engine covers.
The rear bank problem
On front-wheel-drive cars with a V6 mounted sideways, the bank nearest the firewall has little room above it. Many need the upper intake manifold removed to reach the rear coils and plugs, with a new gasket on reassembly. That is why the labor table gives two plug ranges and why replacing all six plugs at once makes sense when the intake is off anyway.
Leaks next to one cylinder
A small intake gasket leak at one runner, or a cracked vacuum line near it, can make the nearest cylinder lean enough to misfire at idle while the others cope. If the coil swap test on this page shows the misfire staying on cylinder 2, and the plug looks fine, a smoke test of the intake around that runner is a cheap next step before an injector. Compare with P0301 for the swap test in detail, and P0174 if a lean code is stored too.
Likely causes of P0302, in order
| Cause | How often |
|---|---|
| Ignition coil on cylinder 2 | most frequent |
| Spark plug worn or fouled | most frequent |
| Fuel injector on cylinder 2 | frequent |
| Intake leak next to cylinder 2 | frequent |
| Low compression | less frequent |
P0302 repairs and labor time
| Repair | Labor (estimate) | At $110/h |
|---|---|---|
| Replace one ignition coil | 0.2 to 0.8 h | $22 to $88 |
| Replace spark plugs (V6, rear bank under the intake) | 1.5 to 3.5 h | $165 to $385 |
| Replace one fuel injector | 1 to 3 h | $110 to $330 |