P0302 on 2011-2017 Chrysler 200: Cylinder 2 Misfire Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2011-2017 Chrysler 200

The 2011-2017 Chrysler 200 spans two generations and used both a 2.4L 'Tigershark' I4 and the 3.6L 'Pentastar' V6. While common causes like coils and plugs apply to both, the early 3.6L V6 (2011-2013 models) is notorious for a specific left cylinder head failure that causes misfires on cylinders 2, 4, and 6. [Bulletin #0900214, Bulletin #0900214a] Chrysler issued a technical service bulletin (09-002-14) and an extended warranty (X56) for this exact problem, making it a critical, vehicle-specific issue to be aware of if you own an early model V6. [Bulletin #0900214, Bulletin #0900214a] For the 2.4L engine, a common issue is the valve cover gasket failing, allowing oil to leak into the spark plug tubes and short out the coil and plug.

Diagnostic Flowchart

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

Generation note: This guide covers the first generation (2011-2014) and second generation (2015-2017) of the Chrysler 200. The most significant difference is the known cylinder head issue on the 3.6L V6 engine in models built on or before July 25, 2012. While the issue was supposedly fixed for 2014+ models, some owner reports indicate similar failures on later years as well. For the 2.4L engine, a TSB (#08-027-20) was issued for 2015-2017 models to replace the ignition coil boots to resolve misfires.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check Engine Light is on or flashing
• Rough running engine or rough idle. [Bulletin #08-027-20]
• Noticeable loss of engine power and acceleration.
• Engine hesitation or stumbling.
• Increased fuel consumption.
• Engine stalling.
• Engine shaking, especially when stopped or at low RPM.

Most Likely Causes

1. Faulty Ignition Coil 🔴 High Probability Coil-on-plug systems are common failure points on many modern engines due to constant heat and vibration. On the 3.6L V6, the rear bank coils (including cylinder 2) are under the intake manifold, subjecting them to more heat and labor to replace.
   How to confirm: Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 2 with another cylinder (e.g., cylinder 4 on a V6, or cylinder 1 on an I4). Clear the codes and drive the vehicle. If the code changes to P0304 or P0301 respectively, the ignition coil is the faulty part.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty ignition coil. It is often recommended to replace all coils if they are original and high-mileage, especially on the 3.6L V6 where the intake manifold must be removed for access.
   Est. part cost: $40-$112 per coil.
2. Worn or Fouled Spark Plug 🔴 High Probability
   How to confirm: After ruling out the coil, remove the spark plug from cylinder 2. Inspect it for wear (worn electrode), fouling (oily, black, or white deposits), or incorrect gap. A cracked insulator can also cause a misfire. Oil on the plug is a key symptom of a failed valve cover/tube gasket.
   Typical fix: Replace the spark plug. It is best practice to replace all spark plugs at the same time to ensure even performance. Mopar recommends Iridium plugs for longevity. 🎬 See how to replace spark plugs and coils on a 3.6L.
   Est. part cost: $10-$25 per plug.
3. Failed Left Cylinder Head (3.6L V6 Only) 🔴 High Probability Early 3.6L Pentastar engines (built on or before July 25, 2012) had a design flaw with excessive valve guide and seat wear on the left cylinder head, which houses cylinders 2, 4, and 6. This was addressed in TSB #09-002-14 REV B. 🎬 Watch: Detailed walkthrough of the left bank cylinder head repair. The issue was widespread enough to warrant an extended warranty (X56), though it is now expired for most vehicles. [Bulletin #0900214, Bulletin #0900214a]
   How to confirm: A cylinder leak-down test is the definitive diagnostic step. If cylinder 2 shows leakage of 25% or more, the cylinder head is the likely cause. [Bulletin #0900214a] This often presents with codes P0302, P0304, and/or P0306. [Bulletin #0900214] A compression test may also show low readings (e.g., 100 PSI vs 150+ in other cylinders).
   Typical fix: Replacement of the left cylinder head with a revised part (PN RL141353AC or newer). This is a major repair. The new head has hardened valve guides and seats to prevent recurrence.
   Est. part cost: $800-$1500 for the cylinder head assembly.
4. Clogged or Faulty Fuel Injector 🟡 Medium Probability
   How to confirm: Listen to the injector with a mechanic's stethoscope or a long screwdriver; it should make a consistent clicking sound. You can also swap the injector with another cylinder to see if the misfire follows, though this is more labor-intensive than a coil swap.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty fuel injector. Sometimes running a quality fuel system cleaner can resolve a minor clog.
   Est. part cost: $50-$150

Rare But Worth Checking

• Leaking Valve Cover Gasket (Spark Plug Tube Seals): The gasket around the spark plug tube can fail, allowing oil to fill the spark plug well. This is particularly common on the 2.4L engine. 🎬 Watch: Step-by-step 2.4L valve cover gasket replacement guide. The oil can short out the ignition coil and foul the spark plug, causing a misfire. If you find oil when you pull the ignition coil, the valve cover gasket and tube seals need to be replaced.
• Worn Rocker Arms / Failed Lifters (3.6L V6): Beyond the cylinder head issue, the 3.6L Pentastar can also suffer from worn rocker arm bearings (needle bearings falling out) or collapsed lifters. This prevents the valve from opening correctly and causes a misfire, often accompanied by a distinct ticking noise. A technician in one video diagnosed a P0302 as a bad lifter after swapping it to another cylinder and seeing the misfire follow.
• Vacuum Leak: A leak in a vacuum hose or intake manifold gasket can introduce unmetered air, leaning out the air/fuel mixture. While this usually causes multiple or random misfires (P0300), a leak localized to the intake runner for cylinder 2 can cause a P0302.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read the code with an OBD-II scanner and check for any other pending or stored codes, especially P0300, P0304, or P0306.
2. On a 3.6L V6, identify cylinder 2. It is the front-most cylinder on the rear bank (firewall side) on the FWD Chrysler 200, requiring intake manifold removal for access.
3. 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 coil is bad.
4. If the misfire remains on cylinder 2, remove the spark plug. Inspect for wear, damage, or fouling (especially oil). Replace if necessary.
5. While the coil is out, inspect the spark plug tube for oil. Oil in the tube indicates a leaking valve cover gasket/tube seal, a common issue on the 2.4L engine.
6. Inspect the ignition coil connector and wiring for any damage or corrosion.
7. If ignition components are good, listen to the fuel injector for cylinder 2. It should be clicking steadily. Compare the sound to a known good injector.
8. For 3.6L V6 models (especially 2011-2013), perform a cylinder compression test and a cylinder leak-down test. Low compression or leakage over 25% points towards a mechanical issue like a burnt valve or the cylinder head problem specified in TSB 09-002-14. [29, Bulletin #0900214a]
9. Inspect for vacuum leaks by checking hoses and spraying carburetor cleaner around the intake manifold gasket near cylinder 2 with the engine running (a change in idle indicates a leak).

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Ignition Coil (OEM #5149168AI (or superseding 5149168AJ) for 3.6L V6; 68242286AB for 2.4L I4) — This is one of the most common failure items for a single-cylinder misfire.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, NGK, Bosch, Denso
  OEM price range: $70-$120
  Aftermarket price range: $40-$80
• Spark Plug (OEM #SP149125AE (Iridium) for 3.6L V6; SP00ZFR5AP for 2.4L I4) — Spark plugs are a routine maintenance item and a frequent cause of misfires as they wear out or become fouled by oil.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, NGK, Champion
  OEM price range: $15-$25
  Aftermarket price range: $8-$15
• Left Cylinder Head Assembly (3.6L V6) (OEM #RL141353AC) — Required fix for the known valve guide issue on 2011-2013 3.6L engines as per TSB #09-002-14. This is a major mechanical failure specific to these models.
  Trusted brands: Mopar
  OEM price range: $800-$1500
  Aftermarket price range: $600-$1200

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0300 — If the condition causing the misfire is not isolated to one cylinder (e.g., a large vacuum leak or low fuel pressure), a P0300 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire) may appear alongside P0302. It is also commonly listed with the cylinder head TSB. [Bulletin #08-027-20, Bulletin #0900214a]
• P0304, P0306 — On 3.6L V6 models, seeing these codes together with P0302 is a very strong indicator of the known left cylinder head failure, as all three cylinders (2, 4, 6) are on that bank. [Bulletin #0900214, Bulletin #0900214a]
• P2172 — An owner complaint filed with the NHTSA reported a P0302 alongside a P2172 (Throttle Actuator Control System - Sudden High Airflow Detected), indicating a potential link with air intake or vacuum issues. [ODI #11386914]

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 09-002-14 REV B: MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) - Details the diagnosis (cylinder leak-down test) and repair (replace left cylinder head) for the 3.6L V6 issue.
• 08-027-20: Flash: 2.4L Powertrain Diagnostic and System Improvements - Mentions P0302 as a possible code related to software updates for the PCM to improve diagnostics for conditions like a rough running engine. [Bulletin #08-027-20]

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• 3.6L V6 Left Cylinder Head Failure (2011-2013): As detailed in TSB #09-002-14, engines built before mid-2012 are prone to premature valve seat wear on the left cylinder head, causing misfires on cylinders 2, 4, and 6. Chrysler extended the warranty on this part (X56 Warranty Extension) to 10 years or 150,000 miles, but it is now expired for most vehicles. The fix is a replacement head (PN RL141353AC) with hardened valve components.
• 2.4L I4 Oil in Spark Plug Tubes: The valve cover gasket, specifically the integrated spark plug tube seals, are known to fail on the 2.4L Tigershark engine. This allows engine oil to flood the spark plug wells, saturating the ignition coil boot and causing a misfire code like P0302. The fix requires replacing the entire valve cover gasket assembly.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Ignition Coil Primary Resistance (3.6L V6) — expected: 0.4 to 0.9 Ohms. Failure: A reading of 0 (short) or OL (open circuit).
• Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance (3.6L V6) — expected: 6,000 to 10,000 Ohms. Failure: A reading significantly outside this range.
• Fuel Injector Resistance — expected: 10 to 20 Ohms. Failure: A reading of 0 (short) or OL (open circuit).
• Cylinder Leak-down (3.6L V6 Head Issue) — expected: Under 15-20%. Failure: Leakage of 25% or more, indicating a faulty cylinder head.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• wiTECH (Chrysler Dealer Tool): Live Misfire Data / OBDII Monitors — To view the real-time misfire counter for each individual cylinder to confirm the fault is active and isolated to cylinder 2.
• wiTECH (Chrysler Dealer Tool): Clear Mis-fire TLC — After a repair, this function may be needed to clear the 'Transmission Self Learning' or crankshaft position adaptive numerator to ensure the PCM properly relearns crankshaft position variations.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• G902a — Left rear of the engine.. This is a common ground point for multiple engine sensors and components; a poor connection here could cause erratic sensor readings leading to misdiagnosis.
• G200 — Left kick panel / left end of dash.. Serves as a ground for the instrument cluster and other interior modules. While less likely to cause a single cylinder misfire, a bad ground here can cause widespread data communication errors that could complicate diagnosis.
• Cylinder 2 Ignition Coil Connector (3.6L) — On the rear cylinder bank (firewall side), first cylinder from the driver's side. The intake manifold must be removed for access.. This is the primary connector to test for voltage and signal when diagnosing a P0302. Its location makes it difficult to access.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• YouTube channel 'Sick Performance Shop' (2012 Dodge Challenger 3.6L V6) — Rough running, P0302 misfire code.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Swapping ignition coils
  ✅ What actually fixed it The technician removed the valve cover and found a missing rocker arm and a damaged camshaft lobe. The fix was mechanical replacement of the failed valvetrain components.
• YouTube channel 'Online Mechanic Tips' (3.6L Pentastar V6 (model not specified)) — P0302 misfire and ticking noise.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replacing ignition coils and spark plugs.
  ✅ What actually fixed it A compression test revealed low compression in cylinder 2. The technician diagnosed a burnt exhaust valve, a known issue on these engines, which required cylinder head replacement.
• YouTube channel 'GaraSierra' (2016 Chrysler Town and Country 3.6L V6) — Engine ticking noise.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replacing all rocker arms.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The ticking noise persisted after replacing the rocker arms. The mechanic disassembled it again and found a lifter that could be compressed by hand (a sign of failure). Replacing all the lifters finally resolved the ticking noise.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2011-2013 (3.6L V6): These model years are subject to TSB #09-002-14 for a defective left cylinder head causing misfires on cylinders 2, 4, and 6. This is a critical known issue requiring a leak-down test for diagnosis. [Bulletin #0900214a]
• 2015-2017 (2.4L I4): These model years are covered by TSB #08-027-20, which addresses misfire codes by replacing all four ignition coil insulating boots.
• 2015-2016 (3.6L V6): Chrysler released PCM software updates (e.g., TSB #18-070-15) to improve misfire detection logic and prevent false codes from being set. Verifying the PCM has the latest software is a valid diagnostic step.