P0302 on Saab
Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
P0302 on Saab vehicles indicates cylinder 2 misfire detected. Au7o has documented this code across 2 Saab models — most commonly on 9-3, 9-5. This code means the engine computer has detected a misfire specifically in cylinder 2, meaning that cylinder isn't completing combustion properly on some firing events. The computer watches tiny variations in crankshaft speed to spot when a cylinder fails to fire, and a misfire means the air-fuel mixture isn't igniting correctly — usually from a spark, fuel, or compression problem in that cylinder. You may feel a stumble, rough idle, shaking, loss of power, or a flashing check-engine light, and persistent misfires can damage the catalytic converter. Because it names a single cylinder, the fault is often a component serving just cylinder 2, like its coil, plug, or injector. Typical repair costs on Saab range from $80 to $600, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0302
- •Worn or fouled spark plug (cylinder 2)
- •Failed ignition coil or coil-on-plug (cylinder 2)
- •Clogged or faulty fuel injector (cylinder 2)
- •Vacuum or intake air leak affecting that cylinder
- •Low compression (worn rings, burnt/bent valve, head gasket)
- •Damaged spark plug wire or boot (if equipped)
- •Carbon-tracked or cracked coil/plug causing spark loss
- •Faulty PCM/ECM driver (rare)
P0302 on Saab by Model
Saab 9-3(1 issue)
- 9-3 Direct Ignition Cassette (DIC) Failure1999-2011
The Saab Direct Ignition Cassette — single integrated unit covering all four spark plugs — is a well-known wear item across 9-3 (and 9-5) from 1999 through end of production. Symptoms: misfire (often cylinder-specific then random), reduced power, check engine light. Failure rate climbs sharply after 80,000 miles. Saab DIC heat-shielding cracks; rubber boots fail.
Saab 9-5(2 issues)
- 9-5 Direct Ignition Cassette (DIC) Failure1999-2009
Same DIC failure mode as 9-3 — 1999-2009 9-5 with the B235 2.3L turbo (Linear/Arc/Vector NA variants are B205) suffers DIC degradation. Saab dealers used to stock these by the dozen. Often the first part to fail on a high-mileage 9-5.
- Direct Ignition Cassette (DIC) Failure1999-2009
The Direct Ignition Cassette, which sits directly on top of the spark plugs and combines the coils into one unit, is a frequent failure point on the four-cylinder cars. Underhood heat and valve-cover gasket oil leaks contaminating the coil pack degrade the cassette over time, causing misfires, rough idle, hard starting and stalling. A failed cassette typically has a burnt smell and discoloration around the plug boots.
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View P0302 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0302 mean on Saab?▼
P0302 stands for "Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected." This code means the engine computer has detected a misfire specifically in cylinder 2, meaning that cylinder isn't completing combustion properly on some firing events. The computer watches tiny variations in crankshaft speed to spot when a cylinder fails to fire, and a misfire means the air-fuel mixture isn't igniting correctly — usually from a spark, fuel, or compression problem in that cylinder. You may feel a stumble, rough idle, shaking, loss of power, or a flashing check-engine light, and persistent misfires can damage the catalytic converter. Because it names a single cylinder, the fault is often a component serving just cylinder 2, like its coil, plug, or injector. On Saab specifically, this code is documented across 2 models.
What causes P0302 on Saab vehicles?▼
Common causes on Saab: Worn or fouled spark plug (cylinder 2), Failed ignition coil or coil-on-plug (cylinder 2), Clogged or faulty fuel injector (cylinder 2), Vacuum or intake air leak affecting that cylinder, Low compression (worn rings, burnt/bent valve, head gasket). Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0302 on a Saab?▼
Repair costs on Saab range from $80 to $600, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Saab models have P0302 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0302 on 2 Saab models: 9-3, 9-5.