P0302 on 2020-2025 Chrysler Voyager: Cylinder 2 Misfire Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2020-2025 Chrysler VOYAGER

The Chrysler Voyager is essentially a rebadged Chrysler Pacifica and uses the same reliable 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine found across many Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles. For this engine, a P0302 code is straightforward. Cylinder 2 is located on the front bank of the engine (closest to the radiator), making the ignition coil and spark plug much easier to access than the rear cylinders, which require removing the intake manifold. While coils and plugs are the usual suspects, this engine family can also suffer from rocker arm failures that cause a persistent misfire, often accompanied by a distinct ticking sound known as the 'Pentastar tick'. This is a possibility to consider if the simple fixes don't work.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Tap your situation to follow the diagnostic path that matches what you're seeing on this vehicle. 👇

Symptoms You May Notice

• Rough or shaky idle
• Engine hesitation or stumbling during acceleration
• Reduced engine power
• Flashing or steady Check Engine Light
• Decreased fuel economy
• Difficulty starting the engine
• Smell of gasoline from the exhaust

Most Likely Causes

1. Failing Ignition Coil 🔴 High Probability → Shop Ignition Coil Ignition coils are a common wear item. Heat and vibration eventually cause the internal windings to fail, preventing a strong spark.
   How to confirm: Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 2 with the coil from an adjacent cylinder (like cylinder 4). Clear the codes and drive. If the code changes to P0304, the coil is faulty.
   Typical fix: Replace the failed ignition coil. Since cylinder 2 is on the easily accessible front bank, this is a simple DIY job.
   Est. part cost: $80-$121
2. Worn or Defective Spark Plug 🟡 Medium Probability → Shop Spark Plug The 3.6L Pentastar engine requires long-life iridium spark plugs with a service interval of around 100,000 miles. As electrodes wear, the gap widens, leading to a weak spark. Additionally, TSB 09-013-20 REV. A was issued for 2020-2021 Pacifica/Voyager models due to a batch of spark plugs with internal cracks causing misfires right from the factory.
   How to confirm: After ruling out the coil, remove the spark plug from cylinder 2. Inspect it for a worn electrode, fouling (black, sooty, or oily deposits), or cracks in the porcelain insulator. Given the TSB, replacement is recommended on affected model years even if visual inspection is inconclusive.
   Typical fix: Replace the spark plug. It is highly recommended to replace all six spark plugs at the same time to ensure even performance. Always use new intake manifold gaskets 🎬 See this walkthrough for intake removal and spark plug replacement. if replacing the rear plugs.
   Est. part cost: $100-$180 for a set of 6 OEM-quality plugs
3. Faulty Fuel Injector ⚪ Low Probability → Shop Fuel Injector Injectors can become clogged over time or fail electronically, though it's less common than ignition component failure.
   How to confirm: If a coil and plug swap don't solve the issue, you can listen to the injector with a mechanic's stethoscope for a consistent clicking sound. If it's silent while others are clicking, it may have failed. A definitive test is to measure the injector's resistance with a multimeter; a good injector should read around 12-12.5 ohms.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty fuel injector.
   Est. part cost: $50-$100

Rare But Worth Checking

• Failed Rocker Arm/Cam Lobe: → Shop Engine Rocker Arm The 3.6L Pentastar engine has a known weakness with premature rocker arm bearing failure, which can cause a ticking or tapping noise from the top of the engine along with a misfire. If you hear this distinct ticking or if new plugs and coils don't fix the P0302, this is a strong possibility that requires professional diagnosis and repair, which involves removing the valve cover for inspection.
• Low Cylinder Compression: Internal engine issues like a leaking valve, worn valve seat, or worn piston rings can cause low compression, leading to a misfire. This was a major issue on early (2011-2013) Pentastar engines requiring a cylinder head replacement, but is less common on newer models. It is confirmed with a compression test and a cylinder leak-down test.
• VVL Solenoid Failure: A faulty Variable Valve Lift (VVL) solenoid for cylinder 2 can get stuck, causing the intake valve to remain in the high-lift position. This often triggers code P105D alongside P0302 🎬 Watch: How to fix P105D and P0302 codes together. and can cause a misfire at low RPMs. Sometimes cleaning the solenoid can resolve the issue, but replacement is often necessary.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read the code with an OBD-II scanner to confirm P0302 and check for any other codes like P0300 or P105D.
2. Note if the Check Engine Light is flashing. If so, avoid driving to prevent catalytic converter damage.
3. Locate cylinder 2 on the front bank of the engine (passenger side).
4. Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 2 with the coil from cylinder 4 (the middle cylinder on the same bank).
5. Clear the codes and run the engine until the Check Engine Light returns.
6. Re-scan the codes. If the code is now P0304, the ignition coil is bad and needs replacement.
7. If the code remains P0302, the coil is likely good. Proceed to inspect the spark plug.
8. Remove the spark plug from cylinder 2. Check for wear, damage, or fouling. Given TSB 09-013-20 REV. A for 2020-2021 models, consider replacing all six plugs even if they look okay.
9. If the plug and coil are good, listen carefully to the top of the engine for a rhythmic ticking noise, which would suggest a rocker arm failure.
10. If no ticking is present, the issue may be with the fuel injector or an internal engine problem. At this point, professional diagnosis with a compression test, leak-down test, or fuel system analysis is recommended.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Ignition Coil (OEM #68223569AD (supersedes 68223569AB, 68223569AC)) — This is the most frequent cause of a single-cylinder misfire on the 3.6L Pentastar engine.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, NGK, Denso
  OEM price range: $80-$121
  Aftermarket price range: $50-$90
• Iridium Spark Plugs (OEM #SP149125AE (Champion) or SP225755AB (NGK Laser Iridium)) — Spark plugs are a routine maintenance item that directly cause misfires when worn. A factory defect noted in TSB 09-013-20 REV. A makes them a primary suspect on 2020-2021 models.
  Trusted brands: Mopar (Champion/NGK), NGK, Champion
  OEM price range: $100-$180 (set of 6)
  Aftermarket price range: $60-$120 (set of 6)
• Upper Intake Manifold Gaskets — These are required if you need to access the rear bank of spark plugs or coils. They are single-use and prevent vacuum leaks.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, Fel-Pro
  OEM price range: $20-$40
  Aftermarket price range: $15-$30

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0300 — This is a 'Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire' code. It can appear alongside P0302 if the misfire is intermittent, severe, or if other cylinders are also beginning to misfire, which could point to a systemic issue like a vacuum leak or fuel pressure problem.
• P105D — This code, 'Intake Valve Stuck In High Lift Position,' sometimes appears with a misfire code on Pentastar engines. It points directly to an issue with the Variable Valve Lift (VVL) system for that cylinder, often the VVL solenoid or the underlying rocker arm assembly.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 09-011-25: Lists P0302 - Cylinder 2 Misfire as a possible DTC when the check engine light is on, and can be related to worn camshaft lobes or rocker arms.
• 09-013-20 REV. A: Specifically addresses misfire codes (P0301-P0306) on 2020-2021 models caused by spark plugs with internal cracks from the factory, requiring the replacement of all six plugs.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 09-013-20 REV. A) was issued for 2020-2021 Chrysler Pacifica/Voyager models due to a manufacturing defect causing an 'Internal Crack' in the spark plugs. This TSB advises replacing all six spark plugs if any misfire code (including P0302) is present on vehicles built between September and October 2020.
• While older Pentastar engines (2011-2013) were known for cylinder head failure causing P0302, this is much less common on the updated engine in the Voyager. However, the updated engine is known for rocker arm failures, which can also cause a P0302 code, often accompanied by a ticking noise.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Fuel Injector Resistance — expected: 12.0 - 12.5 Ohms. Failure: A significantly higher reading (e.g., over 20 Ohms) or an open circuit (infinite resistance) indicates a failed injector.
• Ignition Coil Primary Resistance — expected: ~0.46 - 0.57 Ohms. Failure: A reading outside of the specified range suggests an internal fault in the coil's primary winding.
• Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance — expected: ~9.5 - 15.7 kOhms. Failure: A reading outside of this range indicates a failure in the secondary windings, which prevents high voltage generation.
• VVL Solenoid Resistance — expected: ~8.0 - 9.0 Ohms. Failure: A reading significantly outside this range, or an open/short circuit, indicates a faulty solenoid coil.
• VVL Solenoid Actuation Test — expected: An audible click when 12V is applied.. Failure: No click indicates the solenoid is mechanically stuck or electrically failed.

Hidden / Shadow Codes Worth Checking

• Live Misfire Counters: This is not a stored code but live data that shows the exact number of misfire events per cylinder in real-time. It allows a technician to see if the misfire is constant, intermittent, or only occurring under specific load/RPM conditions. (see via An OEM scan tool like the Chrysler Witech or a high-end professional aftermarket scanner is required to view this data stream.)

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• Witech (or equivalent professional scanner): Injector Kill Test — To confirm a misfire cause after ruling out ignition components. The command deactivates the cylinder 2 fuel injector; if the engine's idle quality does not change, it confirms that cylinder 2 was not contributing power, pointing to an issue with that cylinder.
• Witech (or equivalent professional scanner): VVT/VVL Solenoid Actuation — When codes like P105D are present with P0302. This command forces the solenoid to activate, allowing a technician to monitor the engine's response and confirm if the solenoid is functioning electrically and mechanically.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Cylinder 2 Coil/Injector PCM Driver — Within the PCM Connector C2, located in the engine bay, typically near the firewall or inner fender.. The wires for the cylinder 2 ignition coil and fuel injector originate here. A loose or corroded pin (poor pin fitment) at this connector can cause an intermittent open circuit, leading to a persistent P0302 code even after parts are replaced.
• Main Chassis Ground — A primary ground point is located on the left (driver's side) front frame rail, just inside the front bumper.. A corroded or loose main ground can cause widespread, intermittent electrical issues, including weak spark or erratic sensor readings that can lead to misfire codes.
• Engine Ground Strap — A braided ground strap often connects the engine to the frame, sometimes across the passenger-side motor mount.. This strap ensures the engine block has a solid ground path. If it breaks or corrodes, the ignition system may seek a weaker ground path, resulting in a weak spark and misfires.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• Reddit user on r/ChryslerPacifica (2017 Chrysler Pacifica with 125k miles) — P0302 and P105D, rough idle after shifting into drive.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replaced the VVL solenoid, Replaced the spark plug for cylinder 2, Swapped the ignition coil to another cylinder
  ✅ What actually fixed it A mechanic diagnosed and replaced a bad intake rocker arm. The mechanic noted it's a common failure on the 3.6L Pentastar engine.
• YouTube user '150SCOOTER' (2018 Chrysler Pacifica) — Check Engine Light with codes P105D, P0300, and P0302.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Initially considered replacing ignition components.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The owner discovered the mounting screw for the VVL solenoid next to cylinder 2 was completely loose. He suspected it was not tightened during a previous oil cooler repair at a dealership. Tightening the screw resolved all codes and the misfire.
• YouTube diagnostic video on a 3.6L Pentastar (2015 Jeep Wrangler 3.6L Pentastar) — Cylinder 3 misfire (P0303), applicable to P0302 diagnosis.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Swapped ignition coils, Swapped spark plugs
  ✅ What actually fixed it An ohms test on the fuel injector for the misfiring cylinder showed a reading of 63.2 ohms, while a good injector read 12.2 ohms. Replacing the faulty fuel injector resolved the misfire.

"I Checked Everything" — The Actual Cause

• In cases where ignition parts, fuel injectors, and a vacuum smoke test all check out, the root cause is often mechanical. On the 3.6L Pentastar, a failed rocker arm is a common culprit that won't be found with these standard tests. Diagnosis requires removing the valve cover to physically inspect the valvetrain for play or damage, often accompanied by a distinct ticking noise.

When the Usual Fixes Don't Work

• While ignition coils and spark plugs are the most common fixes, several owner reports for the 3.6L Pentastar engine show that a P0302 code, especially when paired with a P105D code, can persist after replacing these parts. In one documented case, the owner replaced the VVL solenoid, spark plug, and swapped coils with no success; the final solution was replacing a failed intake rocker arm. In another instance, the problem was not a failed part at all, but simply a loose mounting bolt on the VVL solenoid from a previous repair, which was fixed by tightening it. These cases highlight the need to consider mechanical issues or installation errors before repeatedly replacing ignition components.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 68223569AB, 68223569AC → 68223569AD — Standard part revision for improved reliability or manufacturing process change.
  Heads up: The newer part number (AD) is a direct replacement for the older versions (AB, AC) and is fully compatible.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2020-2021: A batch of defective spark plugs with internal cracks was installed at the factory, as noted in TSB 09-013-20 REV. A. This makes spark plugs a higher probability cause for P0302 on these specific model years.
• 2022-2025: For the 2022 model year, the Chrysler Voyager became a fleet-only vehicle, dropping the entry-level L trim. While the 3.6L V6 engine and its core components remained the same, this change in market focus means most post-2021 Voyagers were used in commercial or rental capacities.