P0302 on 2015-2016 Dodge Dart: Cylinder 2 Misfire Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2015-2016 Dodge DART

The Dodge Dart was available with three different four-cylinder engines: a 1.4L Turbo, a 2.0L, and a 2.4L. While standard ignition components are the primary cause of P0302 across all engines, the 2.4L Tigershark engine is particularly known for valve cover gaskets that leak oil into the spark plug tubes, which fouls the spark plug and ignition coil, causing a misfire. This is a well-documented issue across multiple FCA platforms using this engine. The 1.4L Turbo has a shorter spark plug service interval of around 32,000 miles, 🎬 Watch: How to change spark plugs on the 1.4L Turbo. which, if neglected, can lead to misfires. Furthermore, the 1.4L's MultiAir system uses engine oil pressure to actuate the intake valves, and failure of the MultiAir 'brick' can cause persistent, isolated misfires.

Diagnostic Flowchart

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

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check engine light is on or flashing.
• Rough running engine, especially at idle.
• Noticeable loss of power and acceleration.
• Engine hesitation or stumbling.
• Poor fuel economy.
• Smell of unburnt fuel from the exhaust
• Engine stalling.

Most Likely Causes

1. Worn or Fouled Spark Plug 🔴 High Probability The 1.4L Turbo engine has a relatively short 32,000-mile service interval for spark plugs. On 2.4L engines, leaking valve cover gaskets can foul the plugs with oil, and the engine is also known for oil consumption issues that can foul plugs from inside the cylinder.
   How to confirm: Remove the spark plug from cylinder 2 (second from the left/passenger side) and inspect it for wear, carbon buildup, or oil contamination. Compare it to a plug from another cylinder. The correct gap should be around 0.043".
   Typical fix: Replace the spark plug. It is recommended to replace all four spark plugs at the same time. Use quality Iridium plugs for best results.
   Est. part cost: $20-$60 for a set of four
2. Faulty Ignition Coil 🔴 High Probability Coil-on-plug systems are a common failure point on many modern vehicles. Heat and vibration lead to eventual failure. On the 2.4L, oil from a leaking valve cover gasket can saturate and ruin the coil boot and the coil itself.
   How to confirm: Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 2 with another cylinder (e.g., cylinder 3). Clear the codes and drive the car. If the code changes to P0303, the coil is bad.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty ignition coil. If the boot was oil-soaked, it's recommended to replace the entire coil.
   Est. part cost: $40-$100 for one OEM-quality coil
3. Leaking Valve Cover Gasket (2.4L Engine) 🟡 Medium Probability The spark plug tube seals, which are part of the valve cover gasket assembly on the 2.4L Tigershark engine, are known to harden and leak oil directly into the spark plug wells. This is a very common failure on this engine across many Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler models.
   How to confirm: When you remove the ignition coil from cylinder 2, look for liquid engine oil in the spark plug tube or on the coil boot. You may also smell burning oil from the engine bay.
   Typical fix: Replace the valve cover gasket set, which includes the tube seals and bolt grommets. Also, replace the oil-fouled spark plug and ignition coil. The valve cover bolts must be tightened to the correct torque specification in sequence to avoid cracking the plastic cover. 🎬 See this step-by-step 2.4L valve cover gasket replacement walkthrough.
   Est. part cost: $40-$80 for the gasket set
4. Clogged or Faulty Fuel Injector ⚪ Low Probability Fuel injectors can become clogged over time, especially with lower-quality fuel. A Reddit user with a 1.4L Turbo at high mileage suspected a fuel injector after replacing spark plugs didn't fully resolve a P0302.
   How to confirm: Listen to the injector with a mechanic's stethoscope; it should make a consistent clicking sound. You can also swap the injector with another cylinder to see if the misfire code follows, though this is more labor-intensive.
   Typical fix: Clean or replace the fuel injector for cylinder 2. Running a quality fuel system cleaner can sometimes diagnose or fix a dirty injector.
   Est. part cost: $50-$150 for one injector

Rare But Worth Checking

• Low Engine Compression: This is a serious internal engine issue (e.g., worn piston rings, bad valves, or head gasket failure). The 2.4L Tigershark is known for excessive oil consumption due to piston ring design, which can lead to compression loss. A compression test is required to diagnose this.
• Vacuum Leak: A crack in a vacuum hose or a leaking intake manifold gasket near cylinder 2 can lean out the air-fuel mixture and cause a misfire. While this often causes multiple misfires (P0300), a localized leak can trigger P0302.
• Faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM): In rare instances, the engine computer itself can fail and incorrectly report a misfire. This should be the last consideration after all other possibilities are ruled out. TSB 18-069-16 addressed PCM replacement for misfire codes on other FCA vehicles, indicating it's a possibility.
• MultiAir Actuator Failure (1.4L & 2.4L Engines): The MultiAir system, which controls the intake valves via hydraulic pressure, can fail. A user on a Fiat forum noted misfires starting after an oil change, suspecting contamination of the MultiAir system. A failing actuator 'brick' for a specific cylinder can cause a persistent misfire that isn't resolved by ignition or fuel system repairs.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read the code with an OBD-II scanner to confirm P0302 and check for any other codes.
🎬 Watch: A simple explanation of the P0302 code and fix.
2. For 2.4L engines, check the engine oil level immediately. Low oil can cause misfires due to the MultiAir system.
3. Identify cylinder 2. On the Dart's inline 4-cylinder engines, cylinders are numbered 1-2-3-4 from left to right (passenger to driver side).
4. Remove the ignition coil from cylinder 2. Inspect it and the spark plug tube for any signs of oil. If oil is present, the valve cover gasket is the cause (especially on 2.4L engines).
5. If no oil is present, swap the ignition coil from cylinder 2 with the coil from cylinder 3. Clear the codes and run the engine to see if the misfire code moves to P0303. If it does, the ignition coil is faulty.
6. If the code remains P0302, remove and inspect the spark plug from cylinder 2. Look for wear, damage, heavy carbon deposits, or oil fouling. Replace if necessary.
7. If ignition components are good, check the fuel injector on cylinder 2. Listen for a steady clicking sound. Consider swapping it with another cylinder if accessible.
8. If the problem persists, perform an engine compression test to check for mechanical engine problems like worn rings or bad valves.
9. Check for vacuum leaks by inspecting all vacuum hoses and the intake manifold gasket area, especially near the runner for cylinder 2.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Ignition Coil (OEM #68081914AC) — Ignition coils are a primary cause of single-cylinder misfires due to wear and tear from heat and vibration.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, NGK, Delphi, Denso
  OEM price range: $60-$100
  Aftermarket price range: $30-$70
• Spark Plug (OEM #SP070507AC (for 1.4L Turbo)) — Spark plugs are a routine maintenance item and a common cause of misfires when they become worn or fouled.
  Trusted brands: NGK, Champion, Bosch, Mopar
  OEM price range: $15-$25 per plug
  Aftermarket price range: $5-$15 per plug
• Valve Cover Gasket Kit (2.4L) (OEM #05047440AC) — On the 2.4L engine, the spark plug tube seals in this kit fail and allow oil to leak into the plug wells, causing a misfire.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, Fel-Pro, Mahle
  OEM price range: $60-$90
  Aftermarket price range: $30-$50

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 P0302. This is mentioned in TSB 08-027-20.
• P0301, P0303, P0304 — If there's a systemic issue like a large vacuum leak, low fuel pressure, or issues related to a TSB, other specific cylinder misfire codes may appear.
• P1068, P1048 — On MultiAir engines (1.4L, 2.4L), a P0302 is often a symptom of a deeper problem. Codes like P1068 (Cylinder 2 Oil Supply Solenoid Valve Switch Off Time Out Of Range) or P1048 (Cylinder 2 Oil Supply Solenoid Overcurrent) point directly to a failure in the MultiAir 'brick' for that cylinder, which causes the misfire.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 08-027-20: For 2015 models, addresses rough running and misfire codes P0300-P0304, recommending replacement of the ignition coil boots. This TSB also applies to other vehicles with the 2.4L engine like the Chrysler 200 and Jeep Cherokee.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• A known issue on 2015 Darts with the 2.4L engine involves misfire codes (including P0302) caused by the ignition coil boots. Technical Service Bulletin 08-027-20 recommends replacing the ignition coil boots and applying a specific dielectric grease to resolve a rough running condition.
• The 2.4L Tigershark engine is widely known for excessive oil consumption due to piston ring design. This can foul spark plugs or cause low oil levels that affect the MultiAir valve system, leading to misfires.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Ignition Coil Primary Resistance — expected: 0.4 to 2.0 ohms. Failure: A reading outside this range indicates a faulty coil winding.
• Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance — expected: 6,000 to 10,000 ohms. Failure: A reading outside this range suggests the secondary winding is compromised.
• Ignition Coil Connector Voltage — expected: One pin should have 12V+ with key on, engine off. The other pin is the trigger signal from the PCM.. Failure: No voltage indicates a problem with the ASD relay or wiring. No trigger signal points to a PCM or wiring issue.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• wiTECH (Dealer Tool): VVA (MultiAir) Solenoid Actuation Test — Use this when P0302 is accompanied by a P106x code. It directly commands the oil supply solenoid for cylinder 2 to check if it's mechanically responding, helping to confirm a failed MultiAir 'brick'.
• wiTECH (Dealer Tool): Relative Injector Flow Test — To compare the performance of the cylinder 2 fuel injector against others without removing it from the engine. This helps isolate a clogged or failing injector.
• Generic OBD-II Scanner: Power Balance Test — To identify which cylinder is underperforming. While the P0302 code already points to cylinder 2, this test can help confirm the severity of the misfire in real-time.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Engine to Chassis Ground Strap — A braided cable on the passenger side of the engine, connecting the engine head to the passenger strut tower.. A corroded or loose engine ground can cause weak spark across all cylinders, leading to intermittent misfires and other electrical problems. This is a known issue on Darts.
• Battery to Chassis Ground — A wire leading from the negative battery terminal to a bolt inside the driver's side wheel well/fender area.. Corrosion at this primary grounding point can cause a wide range of electrical faults, including no-start conditions and poor ignition system performance leading to misfires.
• Cylinder 2 Ignition Coil Connector — A 2-pin female connector that plugs into the ignition coil for cylinder 2, located on top of the valve cover.. A damaged connector, spread terminals, or corroded pins will directly cause a misfire on cylinder 2. One pin is 12V+ from the ASD relay, the other is the PCM trigger.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• Reddit user in r/dodgedart (Dodge Dart with 1.4L MultiAir Turbo engine) — Stumbling during driving, cylinder felt completely dead at times, rough running, and a P1067 code (Cylinder 2 actuator valve failure) alongside the misfire code.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Initial diagnosis focused on common ignition and fuel system parts.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The final fix was replacing the entire MultiAir actuator 'brick'. The misfire (P0302) was a symptom of the mechanical failure in the valvetrain system (P1067).
• Reddit user aguabueno in r/dodgedart (2013 SXT 1.4L Turbo with 183,xxx KMs) — Initially had random misfires (P0300) and acceleration issues. After replacing spark plugs, the problem isolated to a persistent P0302.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replacing spark plugs (this improved the issue but did not solve it).
  ✅ What actually fixed it The user was advised that the next most likely cause at that mileage was a failing fuel injector for cylinder 2, as they are a known wear item.