Plain English
What P0302 means for your Toyota Tacoma
Your Tacoma threw cyl 2 misfire. On the 4.0L 1GR-FE and 3.5L 2GR-FKS V6s, cyl 2 is bank 1 driver side. The 2GR-FKS has a well-documented coil-set failure pattern - if one coil fails past 100k miles, the others are right behind. On the 2.7L 4-cyl 2TR-FE, cyl 2 is the second cylinder from the timing chain.
Top Causes of P0302 on the Toyota Tacoma
55%
#1 CAUSE
Coil Pack Set Aging (2GR-FKS V6)
The 2GR-FKS V6 has a known pattern where the whole coil set ages together. P0302 at 110k+ miles is usually the first symptom - by 130k you'll see P0303 and P0305 too. Best practice: replace all 6 at once with Denso 90919-02256 or NGK U5099. The 1GR-FE V6 follows the same pattern less aggressively.
OEM Coil (1)
$80-$130
Set of 6
$320-$580
w/Labor
$110-$200/$420-$780
25%
#2 CAUSE
Worn Iridium Spark Plug Set
Toyota specs Denso FK20HR11 iridium plugs at 120k miles on the 2GR. Past 130k cyl 2 fouls if it was skipped. V6 has 6 plugs; 4-cyl has 4. Rear-bank plugs on the V6 require intake removal - $200 extra labor if you skip them. Gap 0.043".
Plugs (6)
$48-$90
w/Labor
$280-$520
DIY
2 hrs
15%
#3 CAUSE
Wrong Coolant in Cooling System
A common Tacoma TSB-adjacent issue: the 2GR-FKS spec is Toyota Pink (P-SLLC). Owners use green or universal coolant during a flush, the wrong coolant degrades the head-gasket seal, and you get cyl-2 or cyl-4 (bank 1) coolant intrusion misfires. Drain and refill with OEM pink coolant.
Coolant Flush
$120-$220
Pink Coolant
$25-$45/gal
Head Gasket if damaged
$1,800-$3,000
Most Affected Tacoma Model Years
| Year | Engine | Primary Cause | Typical Mileage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-2015 | 4.0L 1GR-FE V6 | Coil pack #2 | 100k-180k | Slower coil-set aging than 2GR |
| 2016-2023 | 3.5L 2GR-FKS V6 | Coil set aging | 110k-170k | Replace all 6 coils at once |
| 2024+ | 2.4L T24A-FTS Turbo | Carbon / coil | 30k-80k | New GDI turbo - watch carbon |
| 2005-2024 | 2.7L 2TR-FE 4-cyl | Coil pack #2 | 120k-200k | Bulletproof 4-cyl, rare misfires |
TSB info: Toyota TSB T-SB-0050-15 (coil replacement procedures); TSB T-SB-0021-19 (coolant requirements for 2GR-FKS).
How to Diagnose P0302 on a Toyota Tacoma
- Swap coil 2 with coil 4 (both bank 1, driver side V6). If P0302 becomes P0304, replace coil 2. On the 2GR past 110k miles, expect to replace the full set soon.
- Pull plug 2. If full set is over 100k miles, replace all 6 (V6) or 4 (4-cyl). Use only NGK or Denso OEM-spec plugs - cheap plugs cause repeat misfires on the 2GR.
- Check the coolant color and service history. If anything other than Toyota Pink is in there, drain and refill with P-SLLC. Wrong coolant has caused head-gasket-adjacent misfires on the 2GR.
Want a step-by-step walkthrough specific to your Toyota Tacoma? Run a $5.99 AI diagnosis report - we narrow the cause to your year, engine, and symptoms.
P0302 Toyota Tacoma FAQs
Should I replace all 6 coils on my Tacoma V6?
If you're past 110k miles and one fails, yes. The 2GR-FKS coil set ages together - replacing one buys you 6-12 months before the next fails. Total set cost is $320-$580 OEM, and labor is minimal for the front-bank coils.
What does P0302 cost on a Tacoma?
Single coil: $110-$200 shop. Full coil set: $420-$780. Spark plug set: $280-$520. Wrong-coolant-related head gasket: $1,800-$3,000.
Is the new 2.4L turbo Tacoma more reliable than the V6?
Too early to say - the T24A-FTS is brand new for 2024. It's GDI, so expect intake-valve carbon issues by 80k miles, similar to other GDI turbo engines. The 2GR-FKS V6 has a proven 200k-mile track record.
Will premium gas help my Tacoma run smoother?
The 2GR-FKS is tuned for 87 - premium gives a negligible smoothness gain but no power gain. The new 2.4L turbo is rated for 87 but, like most GDI turbos, runs better on 91+. Octane won't fix a bad coil.