2009 Volvo P0306: What It Means & Is It Safe to Drive?

P0306 on the 2009 Volvo: 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 2009 Volvo

  • 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 2009 Volvo, repairs for P0306 typically fall between $150 and $1200, depending on the root cause and labor rates in your area.

Known issues on Volvo

Volvo B6294T inline-six P0306 on cylinder 6 (last cylinder) is typically a failed COP. On high-mileage B6294T engines, P0306 alongside oil consumption may indicate valve stem seal wear allowing oil to foul the cylinder 6 plug—inspect the plug condition carefully.

Most commonly affected models

XC90 T6 B6294T 2003–2014S80 T6 3.2L 2007–2012

Is it safe to keep driving your 2009 Volvo 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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