2012 Nissan P0305: What It Means & Is It Safe to Drive?
P0305 on the 2012 Nissan: Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected. Here's what it means, what usually causes it, what repairs typically cost, and whether it's safe to keep driving.
PowertrainHigh urgency
What this code means
Misfire on cylinder 5—present on V6, V8, and inline-5 engines only. On V6 engines, cylinder 5 is sometimes harder to access; factor labor into repair estimates.
Common causes on the 2012 Nissan
- Fouled spark plug
- Failed ignition coil
- Leaking or clogged injector
- Low compression from valve or ring wear
Symptoms
- Check Engine Light
- Engine shaking or rough idle
- Power loss under acceleration
Typical fixes
- Replace spark plug and coil on cylinder 5
- Test and replace injector if needed
- Compression and leak-down test
Repair cost range
For a 2012 Nissan, repairs for P0305 typically fall between $150 and $1000, depending on the root cause and labor rates in your area.
Known issues on Nissan
Nissan VQ35 P0305 is on the rear bank (cylinders 4–6). Rear-bank coil access requires intake manifold removal. Confirm the fault with a contribution test before disassembly. VQ40 in Pathfinder has more accessible rear-bank coils.
Most commonly affected models
Maxima VQ35DE 2004–2008350Z VQ35DE 2003–2006Pathfinder VQ40 2005–2012