2012 Acura P0306: What It Means & Is It Safe to Drive?

P0306 on the 2012 Acura: Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected. Here's what it means, what usually causes it, what repairs typically cost, and whether it's safe to keep driving.

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What this code means

Misfire on cylinder 6, found on V6 and V8 engines. On transversely-mounted V6 engines the rear bank cylinders (including cylinder 6) often have higher labor costs due to access difficulty.

Common causes on the 2012 Acura

  • Worn spark plug on cylinder 6
  • Failed coil-on-plug
  • Fuel injector fault
  • Low compression

Symptoms

  • Check Engine Light, may flash under load
  • Rough idle or vibration
  • Hesitation and power loss

Typical fixes

  • Replace spark plug and COP coil on cylinder 6
  • Replace or clean injector on cylinder 6
  • Compression and leak-down test if no improvement

Repair cost range

For a 2012 Acura, repairs for P0306 typically fall between $150 and $1200, depending on the root cause and labor rates in your area.

Known issues on Acura

Acura J35 V6 P0306 on the last rear-bank cylinder is the most difficult coil to access—intake manifold removal is required on Acura TL and MDX. Inspect the intake manifold gaskets while the intake is off; replace the gaskets to avoid repeat disassembly.

Most commonly affected models

TL J35Z 2004–2008MDX J35Z 2003–2006Pilot J35Z 2009–2015

Is it safe to keep driving your 2012 Acura with this code?

For driving-safety guidance—how far you can go, when to tow, and what's urgent—see these checklists:

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