How much does it cost to fix P0302 on a VW?

Repair costs for P0302 on VW vehicles typically range from $150 to $900 depending on the underlying cause. The most common fix is: A failing or degraded ignition coil on cylinder 2, often compounded by a carbon-fouled spark plug..

VW Check Engine Code

P0302 on VW

Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected

Severity: high DIY difficulty: 2/5 VW cost: $150–$900

Last updated April 30, 2026 Also covers: Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Skoda

P0302 on VW: what makes it different

VW's EA888 2.0T engines (used across Golf, GTI, Jetta, Tiguan and shared with Audi's transverse platform) are prone to cylinder-specific misfires because the direct-injection design lets carbon build up on intake valves, and the factory ignition coils are a known wear item — cylinder 2 shows up often due to heat soak and coil placement.

Most-affected engines

EA888 2.0T (Gen 1-3, GTI/Golf/Jetta/Tiguan)
EA113 2.0T (older GTI/Jetta)

Common model years: 2009–2019

Most likely cause on VW

A failing or degraded ignition coil on cylinder 2, often compounded by a carbon-fouled spark plug.

Known VW engine-family issues

Because EA888 engines inject fuel directly into the cylinder rather than at the intake valve, there's no fuel wash to keep valves clean, so carbon deposits accumulate over time and restrict airflow into individual cylinders. This can cause an intermittent, hard-to-pin-down misfire pattern that gets worse in cold weather or at idle until the valves are cleaned.

VW-specific causes (most common first)

Ignition coil failure (common EA888 wear item)
Carbon buildup on intake valves from direct injection reducing airflow/fuel atomization
Worn or fouled spark plug
Weakening high-pressure fuel pump lowering rail pressure under load
Vacuum leak at intake manifold or PCV/breather hose
Failing fuel injector on cylinder 2

VW-specific diagnostic tip

Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 2 with a coil from another cylinder; if the misfire code follows the coil, it's confirmed bad. If the misfire stays on cylinder 2 after the swap, suspect intake valve carbon buildup or a weak injector on that cylinder.

Symptoms drivers report

CEL (often flashing)
Rough idle
Loss of power

Typical repair cost on VW

Most VW owners fix P0302 for between $150 and $900, depending on which underlying cause turns out to be at fault. Start with the most-likely cause for your vehicle — A failing or degraded ignition coil on cylinder 2, often compounded by a carbon-fouled spark plug. — before throwing parts at it.

VW P0302 FAQ

Why does VW's direct injection cause more misfires than older engines?

Because fuel never contacts the back of the intake valve, carbon deposits build up unchecked over tens of thousands of miles, gradually restricting airflow and fuel atomization on individual cylinders, which shows up as a misfire code like P0302.

Is it safe to keep driving with a P0302 misfire?

Short trips are usually fine, but a sustained misfire can overheat and damage the catalytic converter, so it's best to diagnose and fix it within a few days rather than ignore it.

How much does carbon cleaning (walnut blasting) cost on an EA888?

Intake valve carbon cleaning typically runs a few hundred dollars and is usually only needed if misfires return after replacing coils, plugs, and confirming no injector fault.