P0302 on 2017-2024 Jeep Compass: Cylinder 2 Misfire Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2017-2024 Jeep COMPASS

The 2017-2024 Jeep Compass primarily uses the 2.4L Tigershark engine (with a 2.0L Turbo introduced in 2023). This engine is notorious for two key issues that directly lead to misfires like P0302. First, the valve cover gasket and its integrated spark plug tube seals commonly fail, allowing engine oil to flood the spark plug wells. This saturates the ignition coil boot and shorts out the spark. The second issue with the 2.4L Tigershark engine is its tendency for excessive oil consumption, which can be due to problems with its piston rings. If the oil level becomes too low, it can affect the MultiAir valve actuation system 🎬 See how to bleed the MultiAir system after oil issues., which uses oil pressure to control the intake valves, leading to misfires and other drivability problems. Several TSBs have been issued to address oil consumption.

Diagnostic Flowchart

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Symptoms You May Notice

• Check engine light is on or flashing
• Rough or shaky idle
• Engine hesitation or stumbling during acceleration
• Noticeable loss of power
• Reduced fuel economy
• Engine stalling
• Burning oil smell from the engine bay

Most Likely Causes

1. Worn or Fouled Spark Plug 🔴 High Probability Spark plugs are a regular maintenance item. On the 2.4L Tigershark, they are especially prone to fouling from carbon buildup due to oil consumption issues or being saturated in oil from a leaking valve cover gasket.
   How to confirm: Remove the ignition coil and spark plug from cylinder 2. Inspect the plug for wear on the electrode, heavy carbon deposits, or oil/fuel fouling. The correct spark plug gap for the 2.4L engine is typically 0.047 inches (1.2mm).
   Typical fix: Replace the spark plug. If oil is present in the spark plug tube, the valve cover gasket and tube seals must also be replaced. It is best practice to replace all four spark plugs at the same time using high-quality Iridium plugs.
   Est. part cost: $10-$25 per spark plug
2. Failing Ignition Coil 🔴 High Probability Ignition coils on coil-on-plug systems are a common failure point due to constant exposure to high heat cycles. Oil leaking from the valve cover gasket can also saturate the coil boot, causing it to fail.
   How to confirm: Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 2 with another cylinder (e.g., cylinder 1). Clear the codes and drive the vehicle. If the code changes to P0301, the ignition coil is faulty. Inspect the coil boot for swelling, cracks, or oil saturation.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty ignition coil. This is a simple DIY job requiring only a 10mm socket. While some recommend replacing all four coils, it's usually sufficient to replace only the failed one.
   Est. part cost: $30-$70 per aftermarket coil, $80-$115 for OEM Mopar.
3. Leaking Valve Cover Gasket / Spark Plug Tube Seals 🔴 High Probability This is an extremely common failure on the 2.4L Tigershark engine. The rubber gasket and integrated tube seals harden from heat and age, allowing oil to leak externally onto the exhaust manifold and internally into the spark plug wells.
   How to confirm: When you remove the ignition coil from cylinder 2, visually inspect the coil boot and the spark plug well for liquid engine oil. You may also notice a burning oil smell after driving.
   Typical fix: Replace the valve cover gasket set, which includes the main gasket, spark plug tube seals, and bolt grommets. Clean all oil from the spark plug well and the ignition coil boot before reassembly. Torque the valve cover bolts to specification in the correct sequence to avoid cracking the plastic cover.
   Est. part cost: $25-$80 for a gasket kit.
4. Faulty Fuel Injector ⚪ Low Probability
   How to confirm: If a new spark plug and a known-good ignition coil do not resolve the P0302 code, the fuel injector is a possible suspect. Diagnosis can involve listening for a clicking sound from the injector or swapping it with another cylinder, which is a more involved job.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty fuel injector. It's recommended to replace the O-rings and seals on any injectors that are removed.
   Est. part cost: $50-$120 per injector

Rare But Worth Checking

• Low Engine Oil Level (Oil Consumption): The 2.4L Tigershark engine is subject to multiple TSBs and a warranty extension for excessive oil consumption. If the oil level drops too low, it can disrupt the oil-pressure-driven MultiAir valve timing system, causing misfires across any cylinder, including P0302. Always check the engine oil level first when a misfire occurs on this engine.
• Low Fuel Pressure: While less common for a single-cylinder misfire, several manufacturer TSBs for the Compass link misfire codes (P0300, P0301, P0302, etc.) with a low fuel rail pressure code (P0087). If you have multiple misfire codes or P0087 is also present, this points towards a systemic issue like a failing high-pressure fuel pump or sensor. [Bulletin #14-009-25 REV. D, Bulletin #09-016-25]
• Loss of Engine Compression: Internal mechanical engine problems like a burnt valve, worn piston rings, or a leaking head gasket can cause a persistent misfire that doesn't respond to ignition or fuel system repairs. A compression test and cylinder leak-down test are required to diagnose this, which is often a job for a professional.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Scan the vehicle's computer for any stored trouble codes. Note if P0302 appears alone or with other codes like P0300 or P0087.
2. Check the engine oil level. If it is low, top it off, clear the codes, and test drive. The 2.4L Tigershark is known for oil consumption that can cause misfires.
3. Remove the plastic engine cover. On the 2.4L engine, the cylinders are numbered 1-2-3-4 from left to right (passenger to driver side). Cylinder 2 is the second from the left.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector and remove the 10mm bolt holding the ignition coil for cylinder 2.
5. Pull the ignition coil out and inspect it and the spark plug well for any signs of engine oil. Oil contamination is very common and indicates a leaking valve cover gasket.
6. If no oil is present, swap the ignition coil from cylinder 2 with the coil from cylinder 1. Reinstall them, clear the codes, and run the engine to see if the misfire code moves to P0301. If it does, the coil is bad.
7. If the code remains P0302, remove the spark plug from cylinder 2 using a 5/8" spark plug socket. Inspect its condition. A worn, damaged, or heavily fouled plug should be replaced.
8. If the spark plug and coil are good, and the gasket is not leaking, the issue may be with the fuel injector. This is a more complex diagnosis.
9. If all else fails, a mechanical compression test and/or cylinder leak-down test should be performed on cylinder 2 to rule out internal engine damage.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Ignition Coil (OEM #68242286AB) — This is a very common failure item that directly causes a single-cylinder misfire. It's easy to diagnose by swapping coils between cylinders. The OEM part number is 68242286AB, with alternates being 68080580AB and UF-751.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, NGK, Delphi, Mishimoto

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0300 — If the misfire is intermittent or starting to affect other cylinders, a P0300 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire) may be stored alongside P0302. This can happen if the root cause is oil consumption or a failing valve cover gasket.
• P0301, P0303, P0304 — If other specific cylinder misfire codes are present, it points to a problem affecting the whole engine, such as low fuel pressure, a large vacuum leak, or severe oil starvation to the MultiAir system.
• P0087 — As noted in multiple TSBs, this code for 'Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low' can appear with misfire codes on this vehicle, suggesting a fuel delivery problem is the root cause. [Bulletin #14-009-25 REV. D, Bulletin #09-016-25]

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 14-009-25 REV. D: Links P0302 and other misfires with fuel line pressure code P0087.
• 14-003-26: Lists P0302 as a potential DTC.
• 08-027-20: Mentions P0302 can be associated with a rough running condition.
• 09-026-25: Lists P0302 as a potential DTC for misfire detection.
• 09-016-25: Links P0302 and other misfires with fuel rail pressure code P0087.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• Excessive Oil Consumption: The 2.4L Tigershark engine is widely known for consuming significant amounts of oil between changes, a problem acknowledged by Stellantis through TSBs (e.g., 09-003-23) and warranty extensions. This is often due to piston ring design. This can be a direct cause of P0302, either by fouling the spark plug with carbon deposits or by causing the oil level to drop low enough to affect the MultiAir valve control system. Owners must check their oil level frequently.
• Common Valve Cover Gasket Leaks: A very frequent point of failure on the 2.4L Tigershark is the valve cover gasket and its integrated spark plug tube seals. The seals degrade, allowing oil to fill the spark plug tubes, which directly causes misfires by shorting the ignition coil to the cylinder head. If a P0302 code is present, checking for oil in the #2 spark plug well is a critical first diagnostic step.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Ignition Coil Primary Resistance — expected: 0.56-0.68 Ohms. Failure: A reading outside this range indicates a faulty coil winding.
• Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance — expected: 7.8-9.6 kOhms. Failure: A reading outside this range indicates a faulty secondary coil winding.
• Fuel Injector Resistance — expected: 12 Ohms. Failure: A reading significantly higher or lower than 12 Ohms suggests a failed injector coil.
• Low-Pressure Fuel Pump (in-tank) — expected: Minimum Pressure: 58 PSI, Maximum Pressure: 64 PSI. Failure: Pressure below the minimum can indicate a weak fuel pump, potentially causing lean conditions and misfires, especially if code P0087 is also present.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• wiTECH or other professional scanner: Misfire Counter / Power Balance Test — To view real-time misfire counts for each cylinder. This helps confirm that cylinder 2 is the only one misfiring and can help verify a repair by showing the misfire count drop to zero after a fix.
• wiTECH or other professional scanner: MultiAir VVA Oil Bleed / Actuator Reset — If the vehicle has been sitting for an extended period and won't start or runs very rough with misfires. The MultiAir 'brick' can lose its oil prime. This procedure involves cranking the engine with the gas pedal fully depressed (to disable fuel injectors) for several cycles to force oil back into the actuator.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Connector C2 — The PCM is located in the engine bay. Connector C2 is a 96-pin connector.. This connector contains the wiring for the MultiAir VVT solenoids. For example, Pin 1 is for VVA Solenoid 2 Return (Violet wire), and Pin 25 is for VVA Solenoid 2 Signal (Violet/Pink wire). A wiring issue at these pins could cause a misfire on cylinder 2 if it affects the MultiAir system for that cylinder.
• Ignition Coil Connector — On top of the valve cover, connecting to the ignition coil for cylinder 2.. This 2-pin connector provides power and ground to the ignition coil. The pins are for the ASD (Auto Shutdown) Relay Output and the Coil Driver circuit from the PCM. Damage or corrosion here will prevent the coil from firing, directly causing a P0302. The wire colors can be found in wiring diagrams for the specific model year.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 68080580AB, 68242286AA → 68242286AB — Standard part revision and consolidation by the manufacturer.
  Heads up: The latest part number, 68242286AB, is the correct service replacement for the previous versions and is backward compatible for all 2.4L MultiAir engines in this vehicle range.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2023-2024: Starting in the 2023 model year, the standard engine became the 2.0L GME-T4 Turbo I4, replacing the 2.4L Tigershark. While general misfire causes (plugs, coils, injectors) are similar, the 2.0L is a direct-injection engine and does not use the MultiAir system. Therefore, issues related to the MultiAir brick, oil consumption affecting valve lift, and specific TSBs for the 2.4L do not apply.