2012 Volvo P0305: What It Means & Is It Safe to Drive?

P0305 on the 2012 Volvo: 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.

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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 Volvo

  • 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 Volvo, repairs for P0305 typically fall between $150 and $1000, depending on the root cause and labor rates in your area.

Known issues on Volvo

Volvo B6294T inline-six P0305 is a standard COP failure or worn spark plug. On the T6 3.2L, cylinder 5 is toward the firewall—access is straightforward from above. Swap the COP to cylinder 1 and rescan to confirm the fault before replacing.

Most commonly affected models

XC90 T6 B6294T 2003–2014S80 T6 2007–2012XC70 T6 2008–2014

Is it safe to keep driving your 2012 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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