Plain English
What P0302 means for your Toyota RAV4
Your RAV4's PCM saw cyl 2 misfire. Cyl 2 is the second cylinder from the timing-chain end on the 2.5L 4-cylinder. It sees less heat than cyl 1 but more than cyls 3 and 4, so it's the second most common coil-failure spot. The A25A-FKS (2019+) has the same cyl-1 injector TSB but it can also affect cyl 2 when the wrong calibration was used during injector replacement.
Top Causes of P0302 on the Toyota RAV4
50%
#1 CAUSE
Cylinder 2 Coil Pack Failure
The 2AR-FE and A25A use individual COPs. Cyl 2 fails second-most-often (after cyl 1) on these engines. Resistance test should be 0.9-1.1 ohms primary. Replace with Denso 90919-02256 (2AR) or 90919-02273 (A25A). Easy to access - all four coils are visible from the top.
OEM Coil
$80-$130
Aftermarket
$40-$70
w/Labor
$110-$210
25%
#2 CAUSE
Worn Iridium Spark Plug Set
NGK ILZKAR7C11S or Denso FK20HR11 iridium plugs at 120k miles. Past 130k cyl 2 fouls if it was the one a DIYer skipped during the last plug job. Always replace all 4 - gap 0.043" (2AR) or 0.039" (A25A).
Plugs (4)
$32-$60
w/Labor
$110-$180
DIY
45 min
15%
#3 CAUSE
Injector / Fuel Trim (A25A)
Toyota TSB T-SB-0001-22 covers the cyl-1 injector issue on 2019-2021 A25A. If a tech replaced injector 1 without an ECM recal, the fuel trim shifts and cyl 2 can throw P0302 instead. Clean fix: get the ECM recal that should've been done at the original injector replacement.
Injector
$160-$260
ECM Recal
$120-$180
w/Labor
$280-$500
Most Affected RAV4 Model Years
| Year | Engine | Primary Cause | Typical Mileage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-2018 | 2.5L 2AR-FE | Coil pack #2 | 100k-160k | Same pattern as cyl 1 |
| 2019-2024 | 2.5L A25A-FKS | Coil / injector | 60k-110k | Watch for prior cyl-1 injector work |
| 2016-2024 | 2.5L Hybrid | Coil pack #2 | 120k-180k | Less common - Atkinson cycle |
TSB info: Toyota TSB T-SB-0001-22 (cyl-1 injector sticking 2019-2021 A25A - can affect cyl 2 fueling); T-SB-0050-15 (coil replacement 2AR-FE).
How to Diagnose P0302 on a Toyota RAV4
- Swap coil 2 with coil 4. Drive 20 miles. If P0302 becomes P0304, the coil is bad.
- Pull plug 2 - check for oil (head gasket), white tip (lean), or carbon (rich). If plugs are over 100k miles, replace the full set with NGK ILZKAR7C11S.
- On 2019-2021 A25A engines, check service history for TSB T-SB-0001-22 work on injector 1 without an ECM recal. If found, get the recal done now.
Want a step-by-step walkthrough specific to your Toyota RAV4? Run a $5.99 AI diagnosis report - we narrow the cause to your year, engine, and symptoms.
P0302 Toyota RAV4 FAQs
Is P0302 on a RAV4 the same as P0301?
Same root causes - coil, plug, or injector - just on a different cylinder. Cyl 2 is the second from the timing-chain end. Diagnosis steps are identical: swap-test the coil, inspect the plug.
How much will P0302 cost on a RAV4?
Coil swap: $110-$210 shop. Spark plugs: $110-$180. Injector + ECM recal (A25A TSB): $280-$500.
Can I drive my RAV4 with P0302?
Yes, briefly. Flashing CEL = stop immediately (catalyst risk). Steady CEL = drive to a shop. Bad cat on a RAV4 runs $1,000-$2,000.
Will Toyota cover P0302 under warranty?
The cyl-1 injector TSB is covered to 5 yr / 60k mi powertrain warranty. Coil failure usually falls outside warranty since most happen after 80k miles.