P0305 on 2015-2016 Dodge Caravan: Cylinder 5 Misfire Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2015-2016 Dodge CARAVAN

The 2015-2016 Dodge Caravan uses the 3.6L Pentastar V6. 🎬 Watch: Troubleshooting common Pentastar misfire codes like P0305 While ignition components are the primary cause for a P0305, this engine family can also suffer from valvetrain issues. A distinct ticking sound accompanying the misfire, often called the 'Pentastar Tick', frequently points to a failed rocker arm bearing. This is a known issue on these later Pentastar models that can cause camshaft damage if ignored. Unlike the 2011-2013 models known for left-bank cylinder head failures, the 2015-2016 models are more prone to this rocker arm issue, which can occur on either bank.

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
• Hesitation or stumbling during acceleration
• Noticeable loss of power, especially at highway speeds
• Flashing Check Engine Light
• Engine ticking or tapping noise, known as the 'Pentastar Tick'
• Reduced fuel economy
• Engine running rough

Most Likely Causes

1. Faulty Ignition Coil 🔴 High Probability → Shop Ignition Coil Ignition coils are a common wear item on most modern engines, including the Pentastar. Heat cycles under the engine cover can degrade them over time.
   How to confirm: Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 5 with another cylinder (e.g., cylinder 3). Cylinder 5 is on the rear bank (near the firewall), on the driver's side. Clear the codes and drive. If the code changes to P0303, the coil is faulty.
   Typical fix: Replace the failed ignition coil. It is often recommended to replace the spark plug at the same time.
   Est. part cost: $30-$70
2. Worn or Fouled Spark Plug 🔴 High Probability → Shop Spark Plug
   How to confirm: After ruling out the coil, inspect the spark plug from cylinder 5. Look for wear on the electrode, carbon buildup, or oil fouling. Compare it to a plug from a good cylinder. A worn plug is a very common cause.
   Typical fix: Replace the spark plug. It is best practice to replace all six spark plugs if they are near the end of their service life (typically around 100,000 miles).
   Est. part cost: $10-$25 per plug
3. Failed Rocker Arm / Lifter 🟡 Medium Probability → Shop Engine Rocker Arm The 3.6L Pentastar engine is known for rocker arm bearing failures, which cause the arm to seize or wear excessively, leading to a misfire and potential camshaft damage. This is often indicated by a distinct ticking noise. A class action lawsuit has cited this as a known defect.
   How to confirm: Listen for a loud ticking/tapping sound from the top of the engine, specifically the driver's side rear (where cylinder 5 is located). Diagnosis requires removing the valve cover to physically inspect the rocker arms and camshaft lobes for wear, scoring, or excessive play.
   Typical fix: Replace all failed rocker arm(s) and their associated lifters on the affected bank. The camshaft must be inspected for scoring and replaced if damaged. This is a labor-intensive repair.
   Est. part cost: $10-$20 per rocker arm, $200+ for a camshaft
4. Clogged or Faulty Fuel Injector ⚪ Low Probability → Shop Fuel Injector
   How to confirm: If swapping the coil and plug doesn't work, you can test the injector. One method is to check its resistance with a multimeter and compare it to adjacent injectors. A more definitive test is to swap the fuel injector from cylinder 5 with another cylinder. This is more involved as it requires removing the intake manifold. If the misfire code follows the injector, it is the cause.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty fuel injector. It is recommended to replace all injectors on that bank or all six at once to ensure balanced fuel delivery.
   Est. part cost: $50-$150 per injector

Rare But Worth Checking

• Internal Engine Mechanical Failure: Though less common on these model years than earlier Pentastars, issues like a burnt valve or loss of compression can still occur. A compression test or cylinder leak-down test is needed to diagnose this. One owner on a forum reported a burnt exhaust valve leading to a misfire.
• Faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM): A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB #18-069-16 REV. A) was issued for some 2015-2016 models built between July 27, 2015 and September 11, 2015, for various misfire codes. The fix required replacing and reprogramming the PCM. This is a rare cause and should only be considered after all other possibilities are exhausted and the vehicle's VIN falls within the specified range.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read the codes with an OBD-II scanner to confirm P0305 and check for any other codes.
2. Listen for an engine ticking noise, especially on a cold start. A prominent tick points towards a likely rocker arm issue.
3. If no ticking is present, start with the simplest ignition parts. Locate cylinder 5, which is on the rear cylinder bank (closer to the firewall) and on the driver's side.
4. Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 5 with the coil from another cylinder (e.g., cylinder 3, which is the middle cylinder on the same bank).
5. Clear the codes and drive the vehicle. If the code returns as P0303, the ignition coil is bad and needs replacement.
6. If the code remains P0305, swap the spark plug from cylinder 5 with the one from cylinder 3. If the code moves to P0303, the spark plug is the issue.
7. If the misfire remains on cylinder 5, inspect the wiring and connector for the ignition coil and fuel injector for any visible damage, corrosion, or loose connections.
8. If all ignition and wiring checks pass, the next step is to investigate the fuel injector. This is more complex and may require professional help as the intake manifold must be removed for access.
9. If the problem persists, especially if a ticking noise is present, the valvetrain must be inspected. This involves removing the valve cover to check the rocker arms and camshaft for wear or damage.
10. As a final step for persistent issues, perform a cylinder compression test and a leak-down test on cylinder 5 to check for mechanical engine problems like bad valves or piston rings.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Ignition Coil (OEM #5149168AJ (supersedes 5149168AI, 5149168AH)) — This is the most frequent cause of a single-cylinder misfire on the 3.6L Pentastar engine.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, NGK, Delphi, Bosch
  OEM price range: $50-$80
  Aftermarket price range: $30-$60
• Spark Plug (OEM #SP149125AE) — Spark plugs are a routine maintenance item and can cause misfires when worn. It's recommended to replace them when replacing a coil.
  Trusted brands: NGK, Champion
  OEM price range: $15-$25
  Aftermarket price range: $8-$15
• Rocker Arm (OEM #5184296AH (supersedes 5184296AG, 5184296AF, 5184296AE, 5184296AD)) — A known failure point on this engine that directly causes misfires, often accompanied by a ticking sound. The 'AH' revision is the latest version intended to address bearing failures.
  Trusted brands: Mopar
  OEM price range: $10-$20
  Aftermarket price range: $8-$15

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0300 — If the misfire is intermittent or affects other cylinders, a P0300 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire) may be stored alongside P0305.
• P2314 — This code for 'Ignition Coil 5 Secondary Circuit - Insufficient Ionization' points directly to a fault in the ignition circuit for cylinder 5. TSB #18-069-16 lists this code along with P0305 as a possible symptom of a PCM issue.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 18-069-16 REV. A: For some 2015-2016 models built between 07/27/2015 and 09/11/2015, addresses engine misfire codes (including P0305) that may be caused by the PCM, requiring its replacement and reprogramming.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• Rocker Arm Failure: → Shop Engine Rocker Arm 2015-2016 models are susceptible to rocker arm bearing failure. The needle bearings inside the arm can fail, causing the roller to grind against the camshaft lobe. This results in a loss of valve lift, a ticking noise, a misfire, and requires replacement of the rocker arm, lifter, and potentially the camshaft.
• Cylinder Head Issues: → Shop Engine Cylinder Head While more prevalent on 2011-2013 models (which had a warranty extension X56 for the left bank), cylinder head problems causing misfires are still a possibility on later models. A persistent misfire on the right bank (cylinders 1, 3, 5) after other causes are ruled out could indicate a similar, though less common, head issue.
• PCM Replacement TSB: Chrysler issued TSB #18-069-16 for some 2015-2016 Caravans built between July 27, 2015 and September 11, 2015. These vehicles could set various misfire codes, including P0305, due to a PCM issue. The fix was to replace and reprogram the PCM.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Fuel Injector Resistance — expected: Approximately 12.0 - 12.5 Ohms. Failure: A reading significantly higher or lower than the specification, or an open circuit (infinite resistance), indicates a faulty injector coil.
• Ignition Coil Primary Resistance — expected: Approximately 0.4 to 2.0 Ohms. Failure: A reading outside this range suggests a problem with the primary windings of the coil.
• Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance — expected: Approximately 6,000 to 10,000 Ohms (6k-10k Ω). Failure: A reading outside this range indicates a failure in the secondary windings.
• Engine Compression Ratio (Static) — expected: 10.2:1. Failure: A cranking compression test (in PSI) should yield consistent readings across all cylinders. A cylinder with significantly lower pressure indicates a mechanical problem like worn piston rings, a burnt valve, or a head gasket failure.

Hidden / Shadow Codes Worth Checking

• Mode $06 Misfire Counts: This is not a specific code but a data function within OBD-II. Mode $06 allows access to the results of the PCM's self-tests. For misfires, you can view the raw misfire count for each cylinder during the current and previous drive cycles. This is extremely useful for identifying intermittent misfires that haven't yet triggered a P030X code. (see via A professional-level scan tool or an advanced DIY scanner with Mode $06 capabilities is required. The data is typically found under a menu like 'OBD-II Monitors' or 'Non-Continuous Monitors'.)

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• wiTECH (or equivalent professional scanner): Misfire Monitor / Which Cylinder is Misfiring — This function provides a live data block showing the real-time misfire count for each individual cylinder. It is the most direct way to confirm which cylinder is actively misfiring and how frequently, which is critical for diagnosing intermittent issues or confirming a repair.
• Advanced Bi-Directional Scan Tool: Cylinder Power Balance Test / Injector Kill Test — This active test allows the technician to manually disable one fuel injector at a time while the engine is running. When a healthy cylinder is disabled, the engine's RPM will drop noticeably. If disabling cylinder 5 causes little or no change in RPM, it confirms that cylinder was not contributing power, pinpointing the misfire location.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Engine Ground Strap — On the 3.6L, a key ground strap connects from the engine block, across the upper passenger-side engine mount, to the vehicle's chassis/frame.. This strap provides the main ground path for the engine block. A broken or corroded strap can cause erratic behavior in engine electronics, including the ignition system, as components seek a stable ground. While it would likely cause multiple issues, it can contribute to intermittent and hard-to-diagnose misfires.
• Cylinder 5 Ignition Coil Connector — On the rear cylinder bank (near the firewall), the coil for cylinder 5 is on the driver's side of the engine. The connector is a direct plug onto the top of the ignition coil.. The PCM sends the signal to fire the coil through this connector. Technicians should check for power on the appropriate pin with the key on and check the control wire (Pin 74 on some models) for continuity back to the PCM.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• DodgeForum.com user 'IanES' (2016 Dodge Grand Caravan, 102k miles) — Started with the '3.6 tick'. After a DIY repair, the engine ran badly at idle and threw a P0300 (Random Misfire) code, with misfires isolated to cylinders 3 & 5.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Re-seated all spark plugs and coils., Checked all wiring connections.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The owner had replaced the rocker arms using a 'shortcut' method without removing the camshafts. Upon re-inspection, it was discovered that one of the new rocker arms had been installed out of position. Tearing it down again and correctly seating the rocker arm resolved the misfire completely.
• ScannerDanner Forum user (2014 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.6L) — Initially had a P0303 code due to a burnt exhaust valve. After replacing the cylinder head, the misfire moved to cylinder 5 (P0305).
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Swapping coils, plugs, and injectors did not move the misfire., A cylinder leak-down test passed., Cam lobes looked fine; new rockers/lifters were installed with the new head.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The thread ends without a definitive confirmed fix from the original poster. However, the advanced diagnostic discussion focused on an intermittent mechanical sealing issue, with suggestions pointing toward a problem with the new cylinder head (e.g., a sticking intake valve) or an error during its installation, as all ignition and fuel components were ruled out.

"I Checked Everything" — The Actual Cause

• A vacuum leak from a failed intake manifold gasket is a possible cause of misfires. While this would typically set lean codes (P0171/P0174) and affect multiple cylinders, a small, localized leak near the cylinder 5 intake runner could theoretically cause a single-cylinder misfire. A smoke test is the primary method to find such a leak.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2015-2016 (specific build dates): Per TSB #18-069-16, vehicles built between July 27, 2015, and September 11, 2015, may have a faulty PCM that can cause various misfire codes, including P0305. Vehicles outside this date range are unlikely to have this specific PCM issue.