P0302

Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected

Ignition / misfire Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0302 means the engine control module has detected a misfire specifically on cylinder 2 — fuel isn't burning properly there, so the engine runs rough and loses power. The usual culprit is a worn plug or coil on that cylinder, but a fuel or compression problem can also cause it. Sustained misfires can damage the catalytic converter.

High

Can I keep driving? Not for long — a misfiring cylinder runs rough and can stall; if the check-engine light is flashing, drive as little as possible to avoid catalytic converter damage.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

11,762

scans in the past year

Found in

1.9%

of scans

3.3%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0302 scans

P0300in 77.5% of scans

P0301in 54.6% of scans

P0303in 51.9% 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, often flashing during an active misfire
Rough idle, shaking, or stumbling
Reduced power and hesitation on acceleration
Increased fuel consumption

Common causes

Most likely first

Worn or fouled spark plug on cylinder 2 (most common)Likely
Failing ignition coil or plug boot on cylinder 2Common
Clogged or leaking fuel injector on cylinder 2Common
Vacuum leak affecting that cylinderLess often
Low compression — valve, ring, or head-gasket wear on cylinder 2Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data, then swap the cylinder 2 coil and plug to a neighbouring cylinder and re-scan — if the misfire follows, you've found it.
Replace the cylinder 2 spark plug and inspect the coil and boot first, as these are the most common causes.
Test the cylinder 2 injector for correct resistance and spray; swap or clean if suspect.
Check for vacuum leaks around that runner.
If it persists, run a compression and leak-down test on cylinder 2 for a mechanical cause, then clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0302?+

No — especially with a flashing light. An active misfire dumps raw fuel into the exhaust and can quickly overheat and destroy the catalytic converter.

Can I just clear P0302?+

You can, but it returns within a few drive cycles until the plug, coil, injector or compression problem on cylinder 2 is actually repaired.