P0302 on 2011-2014 Dodge Avenger: Cylinder 2 Misfire Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2011-2014 Dodge AVENGER

For the Dodge Avenger, the cause of a P0302 code is highly dependent on the engine. While both the 2.4L 4-cylinder and 3.6L V6 can suffer from common ignition or fuel system failures, the 3.6L V6 has a widely known and documented issue. Early Pentastar 3.6L engines (2011-2013 models built on or before July 25, 2012) were prone to a specific failure of the left cylinder head, which houses cylinders 2, 4, and 6. This defect, caused by excessive wear on valve guides and seats, often leads directly to misfire codes P0302, P0304, and P0306 and was the subject of a major Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 09-002-14 REV. B) and warranty extension (X56) from Chrysler.

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 shaking idle
• Engine hesitation or stumbling during acceleration
• Noticeable loss of power
• Solid or flashing Check Engine Light
• Reduced fuel economy
• Engine stalling
• Difficulty starting the engine
• Unusual odor from the exhaust

Most Likely Causes

1. Faulty Spark Plug 🔴 High Probability → Shop Spark Plug Spark plugs are a standard maintenance item and wear out over time. The 3.6L V6 requires removing the intake manifold to access the plugs for cylinders 2, 4, and 6, so they are often neglected.
   How to confirm: Inspect the spark plug for cylinder 2. 🎬 Watch: Step-by-step diagnosis for a P0302 misfire code. Look for wear, fouling, or cracks. A simple diagnostic step is to swap the plug with another cylinder and see if the misfire code follows.
   Typical fix: Replace the spark plug. It is best practice to replace all spark plugs at the same time. The original OEM plugs are typically Champion or NGK.
   Est. part cost: $5-$20 per plug
2. Bad Ignition Coil 🔴 High Probability → Shop Ignition Coil Coil-on-plug systems are common failure points due to heat and vibration. The 3.6L Pentastar is known for high heat that can break down the internal epoxy and windings of the coils over time.
   How to confirm: Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 2 with another cylinder (e.g., cylinder 1 or 3 on the 2.4L; cylinder 1, 3, or 5 on the 3.6L). Clear the codes and drive the vehicle. If the code changes to follow the coil (e.g., P0301), the coil is faulty.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty ignition coil. Mopar part number for the 3.6L V6 is 5149168AJ, and for the 2.4L is 4606824AC.
   Est. part cost: $30-$80
3. Failed Left Cylinder Head (3.6L V6 Only) 🔴 High Probability → Shop Engine Cylinder Head Early (2011-2013) 3.6L Pentastar V6 engines had a manufacturing defect in the left cylinder head that caused excessive wear on valve guides and seats, leading to a loss of compression and misfires specifically on cylinders 2, 4, and 6. This was addressed by TSB #09-002-14 REV. B. The issue was corrected in production starting in mid-2012 with redesigned heads.
   How to confirm: After ruling out ignition and fuel issues, a cylinder leak-down test is required. The TSB specifies that leakage of 25% or greater on cylinder 2, 4, or 6 confirms the failure.
   Typical fix: Replacement of the left cylinder head with an updated part. The redesigned part number is RL141353AC, which was superseded by 68141353AC. This is a major, labor-intensive repair.
   Est. part cost: $800-$1500 for a remanufactured head assembly
4. Clogged Fuel Injector 🟡 Medium Probability → Shop Fuel Injector
   How to confirm: After ruling out ignition issues, you can swap the fuel injector from cylinder 2 with another cylinder. If the misfire follows the injector, it needs to be cleaned or replaced. A professional can also perform a fuel injector balance test.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty fuel injector.
   Est. part cost: $40-$100

Rare But Worth Checking

• Vacuum Leak: A leak in the intake manifold gasket near cylinder 2 could lean out the air/fuel mixture and cause a misfire. This is more likely on the 3.6L V6 due to the plastic intake manifold that must be removed for service.
• Low Compression (Not related to V6 head issue): On the 2.4L engine, or if the V6 head issue is ruled out, a misfire could be caused by other mechanical problems like a burnt valve or worn piston rings.
• Faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM): → Shop Engine Control Module (ECM) While rare, the PCM itself can fail, causing a false misfire code. This should only be considered after all other possibilities have been exhausted. Some Dodge platforms have a higher rate of PCM problems that can trigger misfire codes.
• Worn Rocker Arms (3.6L V6): → Shop Engine Rocker Arm Another known issue with the 3.6L Pentastar engine is the failure of rocker arm bearings, which can cause a ticking noise and may progress to a misfire. While distinct from the cylinder head defect, it can also lead to misfire codes.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read the code with an OBD-II scanner and note any other codes present.
2. If driving a 3.6L V6 (2011-2013), check for codes P0304 and P0306. Their presence strongly suggests the cylinder head issue.
3. Locate cylinder 2. On the 2.4L I4, it is the second cylinder from the front. On the 3.6L V6, it is the front cylinder on the left (driver's side) bank, closest to the firewall.
4. Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 2 to an easily accessible cylinder (like #1 or #3). Clear the codes and see if the misfire code follows the coil (e.g., P0301 or P0303). If it does, the coil is bad.
5. If the misfire remains on cylinder 2, swap the spark plug from cylinder 2 to another cylinder. If the misfire follows, the plug is bad.
6. If the misfire still remains on cylinder 2, inspect the fuel injector wiring and consider swapping the injector with another cylinder.
7. For 3.6L V6 models (especially 2011-2013), if ignition and fuel are ruled out, perform a cylinder leak-down test on cylinder 2. Per TSB #09-002-14 REV. B, leakage of 25% or more confirms the need for cylinder head replacement.
8. For 2.4L models, if ignition and fuel are ruled out, perform a compression test to check for mechanical engine problems like worn rings or a bad valve.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Ignition Coil (OEM #5149168AJ (3.6L V6), 4606824AC (2.4L I4)) — A common failure item that directly causes a misfire on a single cylinder.
  Trusted brands: NGK, Denso, Mopar
  OEM price range: $60-$90
  Aftermarket price range: $30-$60
• Spark Plug (OEM #SP149125AF (3.6L V6), SP0ZFR5F11 (2.4L I4)) — A standard wear item that is the most common cause of individual cylinder misfires.
  Trusted brands: NGK, Champion
  OEM price range: $10-$20
  Aftermarket price range: $5-$15
• Left Cylinder Head Assembly (3.6L V6) (OEM #68141353AC (supersedes RL141353AC)) — This is the specific fix for the common defect on 2011-2013 3.6L engines causing P0302. The original remanufactured part was RL141353AC, which has been superseded.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, Clearwater Cylinder Head, Odessa Cylinder Head
  OEM price range: $1200-$1800
  Aftermarket price range: $800-$1500

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0300 — If the misfire is severe or intermittent, the PCM may log it as a 'Multiple Cylinder Misfire' in addition to the specific cylinder code.
• P0304, P0306 — On the 3.6L V6, seeing these codes alongside P0302 is a very strong indicator of the known left cylinder head failure, as all three cylinders are located on that bank.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 09-002-14 REV. B: Details the diagnosis and repair for misfire codes P0300, P0302, P0304, or P0306 on 3.6L engines due to a faulty left cylinder head. Specifies a leak-down test and replacement with part RL141353AC or newer.
• 1810216: Lists P0302 as one of many potential misfire codes that can occur, sometimes in conjunction with O2 sensor codes.
• D-14-12 / X56 Warranty Extension: This is the warranty bulletin that officially extended the coverage for the left cylinder head on affected 2011-2013 vehicles to 10 years or 150,000 miles.
🎬 Learn more about the X56 warranty and cylinder head issues.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• 3.6L V6 Left Cylinder Head Failure: As detailed in TSB #09-002-14 REV. B, 2011-2013 models with the 3.6L engine are prone to a defect causing loss of compression and misfires on cylinders 2, 4, and 6. Chrysler issued an extended warranty (code X56) for this specific issue, covering the part for 10 years or 150,000 miles. This involved replacing the left cylinder head if a leak-down test confirmed leakage of 25% or more.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• 3.6L V6 Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance — expected: 6,000 - 10,000 Ohms (Ω). Failure: A reading significantly outside this range indicates a faulty coil winding.
• 2.4L I4 Fuel Injector Resistance — expected: ~13 Ohms (Ω). Failure: A reading of infinity (open circuit) or zero (short circuit) indicates a failed injector. All injectors should have very similar resistance values.
• 3.6L V6 Fuel Injector Resistance — expected: ~12 Ohms (Ω) (High Impedance). Failure: A significant deviation from 12 Ohms or a reading that is different from the other injectors points to a failure.
• 3.6L V6 Fuel Pressure (Key on, Engine off) — expected: Approximately 58 ± 5 psi (400 ± 34 kPa). Failure: Pressure that is significantly lower can cause lean misfires across multiple cylinders. Pressure that does not hold after the pump primes may indicate a leak or faulty check valve.

Hidden / Shadow Codes Worth Checking

• Mode 6, Test ID $A2-$AD: Mode 6 data on generic OBD-II scanners can show misfire counts per cylinder for the current and last 10 driving cycles. Test IDs $A2 through $AD typically correspond to cylinders 1-12. For a V6, you would check the counters for cylinders 1-6. An elevated count for cylinder 2, even before a P0302 code is set, can confirm the location of the misfire. (see via An OBD-II scan tool that supports Mode 6 data viewing.)

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• wiTECH / wiTECH 2.0: Misfire Counter Live Data — This is the most direct way to diagnose a misfire. The dealer-level scan tool can display a live, real-time counter of misfire events for each individual cylinder. Observing counts incrementing on cylinder 2 while the engine is running provides immediate confirmation of the misfire, even if it's intermittent and not yet severe enough to set a code.
• wiTECH / wiTECH 2.0: Cylinder Power Balance Test — This function allows the technician to deactivate the fuel injector for each cylinder one by one. When the injector for a healthy cylinder is deactivated, the engine RPM will drop noticeably. If deactivating the cylinder 2 injector causes little or no change in RPM, it confirms that cylinder 2 was not contributing power, thus verifying the misfire.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• G102 — On the left side of the engine compartment, near the strut tower.. This is a primary engine and PCM ground point. A loose or corroded connection at G102 can cause erratic behavior from sensors and actuators, including the ignition coils and fuel injectors, potentially leading to misfire codes.
• PCM Connector C2 (3.6L V6) — The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is typically attached to the battery tray.. To test the circuit from the PCM, you need the pinout. The ignition coil #2 control wire is on Pin 15 (Dark Blue/Dark Green wire). The fuel injector #2 control wire is on Pin 14 (Dark Blue/White wire). Testing for a signal at these pins can determine if the PCM is commanding the coil and injector to fire.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• Online Mechanic Tips YouTube Channel (2012 Chrysler Town & Country 3.6L V6 (platform mate)) — P0302 misfire code and an audible ticking noise.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replacing the spark plug on cylinder 2, Replacing the ignition coil on cylinder 2, Swapping coils between cylinders, Swapping injectors between cylinders
  ✅ What actually fixed it The diagnosis pointed toward a mechanical issue. A compression test revealed low compression on cylinder 2. The ultimate cause was a failed rocker arm, a known issue on the 3.6L Pentastar, which prevented the valve from operating correctly, leading to the misfire and ticking.
• Wheelin' Out West YouTube Channel (Jeep JK 3.6L V6 (platform mate)) — Persistent misfire that moved from cylinder 1 to cylinder 3 after swapping parts.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replacing rocker arms as a preventative measure during another repair.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The owner had swapped ignition coils to diagnose a misfire, and the code followed the coil. Replacing the specific ignition coil that was moved to the new misfiring cylinder resolved the issue completely. This confirms the simple coil swap as a valid and effective diagnostic step.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 5149168AH → 5149168AI, then 5149168AJ — Iterative improvements to the ignition coil for the 3.6L V6 to increase durability and resistance to heat-related failures.
  Heads up: All parts are interchangeable, but it is recommended to use the latest available revision (5149168AJ) for the best performance and longevity.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2011-2013 (built on or before July 25, 2012): These models were equipped with the original left cylinder head design on the 3.6L V6 that was prone to failure, as documented in TSB 09-002-14. Later models received a redesigned head from the factory, making this specific cause of P0302 much less likely.
• 2011-2014: Chrysler issued various PCM software updates (calibrations) over the years. Some of these updates were designed to improve diagnostic logic and prevent false misfire codes. California's Bureau of Automotive Repair noted a recall (V51) for 2011-2014 Avengers for an issue where permanent fault codes would not clear, requiring a reflash. It is always advisable to check with a dealer if the latest software is installed before performing expensive repairs.