P0302 indicates your engine's computer has detected consistent misfires specifically in cylinder 2. This single-cylinder code narrows the problem to that cylinder's ignition coil, spark plug, fuel injector, or internal compression, making targeted diagnosis significantly easier compared to a random misfire code like P0300.
What does P0302 mean?
P0302 indicates your engine's computer has detected consistent misfires specifically in cylinder 2. This single-cylinder code narrows the problem to that cylinder's ignition coil, spark plug, fuel injector, or internal compression, making targeted diagnosis significantly easier compared to a random misfire code like P0300.
P0302 is a misfire-related diagnostic trouble code classified as high severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P0302 and illuminates the check engine light.
What are the symptoms of P0302?
If your vehicle has triggered P0302, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:
Check engine light on or flashing
Rough or uneven idle
Engine vibration more pronounced than normal
Hesitation or jerking during acceleration
Increased fuel consumption
Sulphur or fuel smell from the exhaust
What causes P0302?
Here are the most common causes of P0302, ranked by how likely they are to be the culprit:
highFailed or weak ignition coil on cylinder 2
highWorn or fouled spark plug on cylinder 2
mediumClogged or leaking fuel injector on cylinder 2
mediumVacuum leak at cylinder 2 intake port
lowLow compression in cylinder 2 (burnt valve, blown head gasket)
Is it safe to drive with P0302?
No - address this immediately. Driving with an active cylinder 2 misfire risks catalytic converter damage from unburned fuel overheating the catalyst. Power loss could also be hazardous during overtaking. Have it inspected promptly.
How do you diagnose P0302?
Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0302:
Read freeze-frame data and note engine RPM, load, and temperature when the misfire occurred
Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 2 to a different cylinder. Clear codes and drive. If the misfire code moves to the new cylinder, the coil is faulty
Inspect the spark plug on cylinder 2 for wear, oil fouling, or abnormal electrode erosion. Replace if needed
Test the fuel injector on cylinder 2 using a noid light or by listening for the click pattern with a mechanic's stethoscope
If spark and fuel are confirmed good, perform a compression test on cylinder 2. Compare results against the manufacturer's specification and other cylinders
How much does P0302 cost to fix?
Repair costs for P0302 vary depending on the root cause and your vehicle. Here are typical estimates:
Repair
Parts Cost
Labor Cost
Total Estimate
DIY Difficulty
Replace spark plug (cylinder 2)
€5–€25
€30–€80
€35–€105
Easy
Replace ignition coil (cylinder 2)
€25–€120
€30–€100
€55–€220
Easy
Replace fuel injector (cylinder 2)
€50–€200
€60–€200
€110–€400
Moderate
Valve or head gasket repair
€150–€600
€400–€1200
€550–€1800
Professional
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
P0302 on specific vehicles
P0302 behaves differently depending on your vehicle. Select your car below for model-specific causes, known issues, and adjusted cost estimates:
P0302 on Audi A4
Audi A4 • 2005-2024
The 2.0 TFSI (EA888) engine in B8 and B9 A4 models is prone to carbon buildup on intake valves due to direct injection. Cylinder 2 is commonly affected. Audi recommends walnut blasting the intake ports every 60,000-80,000 km to prevent misfires.
What causes P0302 on a Audi A4?
Audi A4Carbon buildup on cylinder 2 intake valve (EA888 2.0 TFSI)
Audi A4Ignition coil failure, especially on early B8 models
P0302 repair cost for Audi A4
Estimated costs for Audi A4 ownersadjusted higher than average due to Audi-specific parts pricing
Repair
Parts Cost
Labor Cost
Total Estimate
DIY Difficulty
Replace spark plug (cylinder 2)
€7–€33
€39–€104
€46–€137
Easy
Replace ignition coil (cylinder 2)
€33–€156
€39–€130
€72–€286
Easy
Replace fuel injector (cylinder 2)
€65–€260
€78–€260
€143–€520
Moderate
Valve or head gasket repair
€195–€780
€520–€1560
€715–€2340
Professional
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
P0302 on Opel Astra
Opel Astra • 2004-2024
The 1.4 Turbo (A14NET/B14NET) in Astra J and K models has documented ignition coil module failures causing misfires on individual cylinders. Cylinder 2 is frequently affected. Replacement of the full coil pack is recommended rather than individual coils.
What causes P0302 on a Opel Astra?
Opel AstraIgnition coil module failure on 1.4 Turbo
Opel AstraSpark plug thread damage from over-torquing on aluminium heads
P0302 on Skoda Octavia
Skoda Octavia • 2005-2024
The Octavia shares the EA888 and EA211 engines with VW Golf. The 1.8 TSI in Mk3 models is known for ignition coil failures. The 1.4 TSI can develop timing chain stretch affecting valve timing on cylinder 2. Regular coil and plug changes at 60,000 km prevent most misfires.
What causes P0302 on a Skoda Octavia?
Skoda OctaviaIgnition coil failure on 1.8 TSI
Skoda OctaviaTiming chain stretch on 1.4 TSI affecting valve timing
P0302 repair cost for Skoda Octavia
Estimated costs for Skoda Octavia ownersadjusted higher than average due to Skoda-specific parts pricing
Repair
Parts Cost
Labor Cost
Total Estimate
DIY Difficulty
Replace spark plug (cylinder 2)
€5–€26
€32–€84
€37–€110
Easy
Replace ignition coil (cylinder 2)
€26–€126
€32–€105
€58–€231
Easy
Replace fuel injector (cylinder 2)
€53–€210
€63–€210
€116–€420
Moderate
Valve or head gasket repair
€158–€630
€420–€1260
€578–€1890
Professional
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
P0302 on Peugeot 308
Peugeot 308 • 2007-2024
The 1.2 PureTech 3-cylinder engine (EB2) in 2014+ models has a known issue with carbon buildup and timing chain stretch causing misfires. Since it is a 3-cylinder, cylinder 2 is the middle cylinder and can be more difficult to access. The 1.6 THP (EP6) also suffers coil and plug failures.
What causes P0302 on a Peugeot 308?
Peugeot 308Timing chain stretch on 1.2 PureTech (EB2)
Peugeot 308Ignition coil failure on 1.6 THP (EP6)
P0302 repair cost for Peugeot 308
Estimated costs for Peugeot 308 ownersadjusted higher than average due to Peugeot-specific parts pricing
Repair
Parts Cost
Labor Cost
Total Estimate
DIY Difficulty
Replace spark plug (cylinder 2)
€5–€26
€32–€84
€37–€110
Easy
Replace ignition coil (cylinder 2)
€26–€126
€32–€105
€58–€231
Easy
Replace fuel injector (cylinder 2)
€53–€210
€63–€210
€116–€420
Moderate
Valve or head gasket repair
€158–€630
€420–€1260
€578–€1890
Professional
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
Related diagnostic codes
These codes are often seen alongside P0302 or indicate related issues:
P0302 means your engine's control module has identified that cylinder 2 is misfiring. The ECU monitors crankshaft acceleration after each firing event and flags the code when cylinder 2 consistently fails to produce the expected power.
How do I fix P0302?
Start with the cheapest and most common fix: replace the spark plug on cylinder 2. If that does not help, swap the ignition coil with another cylinder to test it. Beyond that, check the fuel injector and then compression.
Can P0302 cause catalytic converter damage?
Yes. Unburned fuel from the misfiring cylinder enters the catalytic converter and ignites there, raising temperatures far above normal. Prolonged driving with a misfire can destroy the converter, adding hundreds of euros to the repair bill.
Why does my car shake with P0302?
When cylinder 2 misfires, it produces no power during its combustion stroke. This creates an imbalance in the engine's rotational forces, which you feel as vibration through the chassis, especially at idle when the engine speed is low.
Is P0302 an expensive repair?
Usually not. The most common causes are a spark plug or ignition coil, which cost between 30 and 150 EUR including labour. It only becomes expensive if the root cause is low compression from a burnt valve or head gasket failure.
