P0302 on Saturn
Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
P0302 on Saturn vehicles indicates cylinder 2 misfire detected. Au7o has documented this code across 3 Saturn models — most commonly on Aura, S-Series, Vue. 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 Saturn range from $50 to $800, 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 Saturn by Model
Saturn Aura(1 issue)
- 3.6L Random/Multiple-Cylinder Misfire2007-2009
The 3.6L V6 Auras are reported to throw misfire codes, frequently as a downstream symptom of the stretched timing chains but also from worn ignition coils/spark plugs or carbon buildup on the direct-injection intake valves. Owners experience rough idle, hesitation, and a check engine light. P0300 with cylinder-specific misfire codes is common.
Saturn S-Series(1 issue)
- DIS Ignition Module / Coil Pack Failure Causing Cylinder Misfires1991-1999
The Saturn S-Series uses a Distributorless Ignition System (DIS) with a waste-spark coil pack mounted on top of the engine. The coils and the Ignition Control Module (ICM) fail with age, throwing P0300-series misfire codes (commonly P0301 or P0302). A subtle but documented contributor is poor grounding: the ICM grounds to the transmission bellhousing via a stud, and corrosion on this ground path causes intermittent misfires that are easily misdiagnosed as coil failure. The waste-spark design uses the #4 plug firing on the compression stroke to fake a cam signal, so if the #4 coil weakens, the DIS may also lose its cam-position reference, causing cascading driveability issues.
Saturn Vue(1 issue)
- V6 Valve Cover Gasket Oil Leak Soaking Coil Boots → Misfires2004-2007
On the 3.0L and 3.5L V6 Vue models, the valve cover gaskets become brittle and leak oil down into the spark plug tubes. The oil soaks the coil-on-plug boots, causing the rubber to swell and degrade so spark grounds out, producing misfires and rough running. Oil also drips onto the exhaust manifold, creating a burning-oil smell.
Looking for P0302 on a different make?
View P0302 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0302 mean on Saturn?▼
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 Saturn specifically, this code is documented across 3 models.
What causes P0302 on Saturn vehicles?▼
Common causes on Saturn: 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 Saturn?▼
Repair costs on Saturn range from $50 to $800, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Saturn models have P0302 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0302 on 3 Saturn models: Aura, S-Series, Vue.