What does code P0306 mean on a Mercury and is it safe to drive?

P0306: Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected. Here's what it means on your Mercury, what usually causes it, what repairs typically cost, and how safe it is 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 for your Mercury

  • 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 Mercury, repairs for P0306 often fall between $150 and $1200, depending on the cause and whether you use OEM or aftermarket parts. Labor rates vary by location.

Is it safe to keep driving your Mercury with this code?

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

Browse P0306 on your Mercury by model year

Year-specific guides include Mercury-tailored causes and repair costs.

More codes for Mercury

View all OBD2 code guides for Mercury