P0302 on 2011-2018 Dodge Charger: Cylinder 2 Misfire Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2011-2018 Dodge CHARGER

For the Dodge Charger, particularly models from 2011-2013 equipped with the 3.6L Pentastar V6, the P0302 code is infamous. It is often linked to a significant and well-documented issue with the left cylinder head. This problem, caused by premature wear of valve guides and seats due to overheating, was so prevalent that Chrysler issued a warranty extension (X56) to cover repairs up to 10 years or 150,000 miles. Therefore, unlike in many other vehicles where a P0302 is almost always a simple ignition component, on these specific Chargers, it can indicate a much more serious mechanical fault requiring a cylinder leak-down test for confirmation.

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
• Noticeable loss of engine power and acceleration
• Engine hesitation or stumbling
• Solid or flashing Check Engine Light
• Reduced fuel economy
• Engine stalling
• Audible ticking or tapping noise from the engine, which can indicate rocker arm failure.

Most Likely Causes

1. Faulty Left Cylinder Head 🔴 High Probability → Shop Engine Cylinder Head Early 3.6L Pentastar V6 engines (2011-2013) had a design flaw leading to excessive wear on the valve guides and seats of the left cylinder head (cylinders 2, 4, 6), causing poor sealing and misfires. The fix was a redesigned head introduced in mid-2012.
   How to confirm: A definitive diagnosis requires a cylinder leak-down test on cylinders 2, 4, and 6. If any cylinder shows leakage of 25% or more, the head is considered faulty according to Chrysler's service bulletin 09-002-14 REV. B.
   Typical fix: Replacement of the left cylinder head with a revised part (Mopar RL141353AC). This was covered under Chrysler's X56 warranty extension (10 years/150,000 miles), which has now expired for most vehicles.
   Est. part cost: $500-$1200
2. Failed Ignition Coil 🟡 Medium Probability → Shop Ignition Coil Coil-on-plug systems are common points of failure on most modern vehicles due to heat and vibration. It's a frequent cause for misfires across all model years.
   How to confirm: Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 2 with another cylinder (e.g., cylinder 4). Clear the codes and run the engine. If the code changes to P0304, the ignition coil is the culprit.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty ignition coil. The OEM part number is often superseded; a common replacement is Mopar 68223569AD.
   Est. part cost: $48-$61
3. Worn or Fouled Spark Plug 🟡 Medium Probability → Shop Spark Plug Spark plugs are a standard maintenance item and wear out over time. The recommended service interval for the 3.6L Pentastar is 100,000 miles, but they can fail sooner or become fouled by other issues like a leaking head.
   How to confirm: After confirming the coil is good, swap the spark plug from cylinder 2 with another cylinder. If the misfire code follows the plug, the plug is bad. Visually inspect for wear, carbon buildup, or damage.
   Typical fix: Replace the spark plug. It is recommended to replace all six at the same time. 🎬 Watch: Easy walkthrough for replacing your spark plugs and coils. The OEM recommended plug is often a Champion Iridium plug, such as SP149125AE (or Champion 9417).
   Est. part cost: $5-$20 per plug
4. Clogged or Faulty Fuel Injector ⚪ Low Probability → Shop Fuel Injector
   How to confirm: Listen to the injector with a mechanic's stethoscope for a consistent clicking sound. You can also swap injectors between cylinders, but this is more labor-intensive as it requires removing the intake manifold.
   Typical fix: Clean or replace the fuel injector. Some owners report that running a quality fuel system cleaner can sometimes resolve a minor clog.
   Est. part cost: $50-$150

Rare But Worth Checking

• PCM Software Update Needed: TSB #18-094-16 mentions a software update for the PCM to improve diagnosis and address various misfire codes, including P0302. This should be considered if all hardware checks out.
• Worn Camshaft Lobes / Rocker Arms: → Shop Engine Rocker Arm The 3.6L Pentastar can also suffer from valvetrain wear, particularly failing rocker arms where the roller bearings seize, causing the arm to be thrown off or to score the camshaft lobe. This often produces a distinct ticking noise and is a more common cause for misfires on 2014 and newer models.
🎬 See how to replace worn rocker arms and lifters yourself.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read the code with an OBD-II scanner and check for any other related codes.
2. Identify cylinder 2. On the 3.6L Pentastar, the passenger side of the engine is the right bank (cylinders 1, 3, 5, front to back) and the driver's side is the left bank (cylinders 2, 4, 6, front to back).
3. Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 2 with the coil from cylinder 4. Clear the codes and drive the vehicle. If the code returns as P0304, the coil is bad.
4. If the code remains P0302, swap the spark plug from cylinder 2 with the plug from cylinder 4. If the code changes to P0304, the spark plug is faulty.
5. If the code is still P0302, inspect the wiring and connector for the cylinder 2 ignition coil and fuel injector for any damage or corrosion.
6. Listen to the fuel injector on cylinder 2 with a stethoscope to ensure it is clicking consistently.
7. If the vehicle is a 2011-2013 model and the above steps do not resolve the issue, perform a cylinder leak-down test on cylinders 2, 4, and 6. Leakage over 15-20% indicates a potential problem, and over 25% confirms the need for cylinder head replacement as per TSB #09-002-14 REV. B.
8. If the vehicle is a 2014+ model, or if a ticking noise is present, remove the valve cover on the left bank to inspect the rocker arms and camshaft lobes for wear or damage.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Ignition Coil (OEM #68223569AD (supersedes previous versions)) — A common failure point for misfires. It's easy to diagnose by swapping between cylinders.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, NGK, Denso
  OEM price range: $60-$85
  Aftermarket price range: $35-$55
• Spark Plug (OEM #SP149125AE (Champion)) — A standard maintenance item that wears out and can cause misfires. It's inexpensive and should be checked early in the diagnosis.
  Trusted brands: Champion, NGK
  OEM price range: $15-$25
  Aftermarket price range: $5-$15
• Left Cylinder Head Assembly (OEM #RL141353AC (Updated Part)) — The definitive fix for the known issue on 2011-2013 3.6L engines that causes P0302, P0304, and P0306 codes.
  Trusted brands: Mopar
  OEM price range: $800-$1200
  Aftermarket price range: $500-$900

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0300 — This code for 'Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire' often appears with P0302 if the misfire is intermittent or beginning to affect other cylinders, especially in the case of the cylinder head or rocker arm failure.
• P0304 — This indicates a misfire on cylinder 4. Seeing P0302, P0304, and/or P0306 together strongly points to the common left cylinder head issue, as all are on the same bank.
• P0306 — This indicates a misfire on cylinder 6. Seeing it with P0302 points to a systemic problem on the left bank of the engine, very likely the cylinder head.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 09-002-14 REV. B: Details the diagnosis (cylinder leakage test >25%) and repair (cylinder head replacement) for P0300, P0302, P0304, or P0306 codes under the X56 Warranty Extension. It lists all affected vehicles and the required parts, including the updated head RL141353AC.
• 18-094-16: Mentions a PCM software update to address a list of DTCs, including P0302, which may improve misfire detection logic.
• D-14-12: Announces the X56 Extended Warranty for the 3.6L Left Cylinde

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• 2011-2013 3.6L Pentastar Left Cylinder Head Failure: The most significant issue related to P0302 on these Chargers. Due to premature valve guide and seat wear, the valves on the left head (cylinders 2, 4, 6) would not seal properly, causing misfires. Chrysler acknowledged this with TSB #09-002-14 REV. B and a warranty extension (X56) for 10 years/150,000 miles. The fix is to replace the head with an updated part, identified by part number RL141353AC or a casting date after the 206th day of 2012.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Fuel Injector Resistance — expected: Approximately 12.0 - 12.5 Ohms. Failure: A significantly higher reading (e.g., 24 Ohms or 63 Ohms) or an open circuit (infinite resistance) indicates a failed injector.
• Ignition Coil Primary Resistance — expected: ~0.46 Ohms. Failure: A reading outside of the specified range indicates a faulty coil.
• Fuel Pressure — expected: Approximately 58-60 PSI. Failure: Significantly lower pressure (e.g., 35 PSI) indicates a weak fuel pump or faulty regulator, which could cause lean misfires.
• Cylinder Leak-Down Test — expected: Less than 15% leakage. Failure: Leakage of 25% or more on cylinders 2, 4, or 6 is the specific threshold Chrysler uses in its TSB to condemn the left cylinder head on 2011-2013 models.
• Long Term Fuel Trim (LTFT) at Idle — expected: Close to 0%, ideally within +/- 5%. Failure: A high negative value on one bank (e.g., -8% to -10% on Bank 2) while the other bank is normal can indicate an issue like a leaking fuel injector on that bank.

Hidden / Shadow Codes Worth Checking

• P0202: This code for 'Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 2' may appear alongside P0302. It more specifically points to an electrical fault with the fuel injector or its wiring, rather than a simple clog. (see via Standard OBD-II scanner.)

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• wiTECH (or advanced generic scanner): Misfire Counter Live Data — This is crucial for confirming the misfire is isolated to cylinder 2. While driving under conditions that trigger the symptom, the counter for cylinder 2 should increment while others remain at or near zero. This helps rule out random misfires (P0300).
• wiTECH (or advanced generic scanner): Cylinder Cutout / Kill Test — This bidirectional test allows the technician to disable individual cylinders one by one while the engine is idling. When a healthy cylinder is disabled, the engine RPM should drop noticeably. If disabling cylinder 2 causes little or no change in RPM, it confirms that cylinder is not contributing power, verifying the misfire.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Cylinder 2 Ignition Coil Connector — On the driver's side of the engine (left bank), the front-most ignition coil.. The coil receives power and a trigger signal from the PCM through this connector. A loose pin, corrosion, or damaged wire here will directly cause a P0302.
• G101 Ground — Located on the right front of the engine compartment.. This is a primary engine-related ground point. A poor connection here can cause a variety of electrical issues, including weak spark or erratic sensor readings that could lead to misfires.
• Cylinder 2 Fuel Injector Connector — Under the upper intake manifold, on the driver's side (left bank), connected to the front-most fuel injector on the fuel rail.. Similar to the coil, a bad connection at the injector will prevent fuel from being delivered to cylinder 2, causing a misfire. The wiring harness in this area is subjected to significant heat.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• Dodge Journey Forum user (2015 Dodge Journey 3.6L with 78,000 miles) — P0302 only, rough idle at low speeds, but smooth at highway speeds. Misfire only occurred at low RPM.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replaced all spark plugs, Replaced cylinder 2 ignition coil
  ✅ What actually fixed it The dealership foreman immediately suspected failing rocker arms, which is a common issue on the post-2013 Pentastar engines. The final diagnosis was worn needle bearings in the rocker arm for cylinder 2, requiring replacement of the rockers.
• YouTube video by 'Kuy's Worx' (2014 Jeep Wrangler 3.6L) — Intermittent P0302 and P2305 (Ignition Coil 2 Secondary Circuit). Misfire would come and go when wiggling a specific wiring harness.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replaced ignition coil
  ✅ What actually fixed it A wire had backed out of a large engine harness connector located near the passenger side valve cover. The 5th pin (blue with tan stripe) was not making proper contact. Pushing the pin fully back into the connector resolved the intermittent misfire.
• ScannerDanner Forum user (2014 Dodge Challenger 3.6L) — Constant misfire on cylinder 2 (P0302) at idle and low RPM (<1500). No misfires at highway speed.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replaced spark plugs and coils, Replaced PCM (by a previous shop), Swapped camshaft solenoids and sensors, Performed a cylinder leak-down test (which passed), Removed and rebuilt the cylinder head (valves, guides, seats)
  ✅ What actually fixed it The issue was finally resolved by replacing all the rocker arms and lifters on the left bank. Even though the leak-down test passed and the head was rebuilt, the root cause was a mechanical valvetrain issue with the rocker arms, a known problem on this engine generation.

OEM Part Supersession History

• RL141353AA, RL141353AB, 68196637AA → 68141353AC (or remanufactured RL141353AC) — Supersedes the original and early revised left cylinder heads to correct the valve guide/seat wear issue prominent in 2011-2013 models.
  Heads up: When replacing the head, a separate bolt/plug kit (Mopar #68154699AA) MUST be used, as the new heads are shipped without oil gallery bolts/plugs. Failure to install this kit will result in trouble codes being set.
• Multiple previous numbers → 68223569AD — Standard part evolution for the ignition coil.
  Heads up: Pentastar engines use either a 2-wire or 3-wire ignition coil depending on the model year and vehicle. The 2011-2018 Charger uses the 2-wire coil. Using a 3-wire coil from a newer application will not work.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2011-2013: These years are highly prone to the left cylinder head failure due to soft valve guides. P0302 is a primary indicator of this issue.
• 2014-2018: The cylinder head issue was largely resolved. On these models, P0302 accompanied by a ticking noise is more likely caused by a failed rocker arm and potential camshaft lobe damage.
• 2016-2018: The Pentastar engine received a significant update (sometimes called Gen 2). It featured a two-stage variable valve lift (VVL) system, cooled EGR, and a higher compression ratio (11.3:1 vs 10.2:1). While the fundamental causes of P0302 remain similar, these changes introduced new components like VVL solenoids that could also be potential failure points.