The Lemon IndexCylinder 3 is not firing properly, so the engine runs rough and loses some power.
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
Spark plug or ignition coil on cylinder 3. Then: fuel injector on cylinder 3; vacuum leak near that cylinder.
Owners named P0303 in 374 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Ford Escape.
Models that report it most
Complaints that name P0303, by model. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints. Tap a model for its years, mileage and what owners say fixed it.
P0303 by model: P0303 Ford Escape (62) · P0303 Ford Edge (34) · P0303 Chrysler Pacifica (26) · P0303 Honda CR-V (23) · P0303 Ford Fusion (22) · P0303 Honda Accord (20) · P0303 Honda Odyssey (16) · P0303 Kia Soul (14)
Years owners report it on most: 2017 Ford Escape · 2018 Ford Escape · 2017 Ford Edge · 2018 Ford Edge · 2017 Chrysler Pacifica · 2018 Honda CR-V
The details
What P0303 means
Cylinder 3 is not firing properly, so the engine runs rough and loses some power. A flashing check engine light means the misfire is serious enough to damage the catalytic converter, so slow down and get it checked right away.
Can I drive with P0303?
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
77% of the owner complaints that name P0303 also say the car shakes, runs rough or misfires. A complaint can describe more than one problem, so this doesn't prove the code caused it.
Common causes of P0303
- Spark plug or ignition coil on cylinder 3
- Fuel injector on cylinder 3
- Vacuum leak near that cylinder
- Low compression (valve or piston ring problem)
A shop should confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
What owners describe
- Shakes, runs rough or misfires: 77% of complaints
- Overheats: 21% of complaints
- Stalls or shuts off: 19% of complaints
- Loses power or goes into limp mode: 18% of complaints
Share of complaints naming the code whose text also mentions each problem.
Model years that report P0303 most
2017 Ford Escape (23), 2018 Ford Escape (23), 2017 Ford Edge (17), 2018 Ford Edge (13), 2017 Chrysler Pacifica (13), 2018 Honda CR-V (10).
Related codes
P0302 P0304 P0301 P0305 P0300 P0306 P0307 P0308
Quick answers
What does P0303 mean?
Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected. Cylinder 3 is not firing properly, so the engine runs rough and loses some power. A flashing check engine light means the misfire is serious enough to damage the catalytic converter, so slow down and get it checked right away.
Can I drive with P0303?
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
What causes P0303?
Spark plug or ignition coil on cylinder 3; Fuel injector on cylinder 3; Vacuum leak near that cylinder; Low compression (valve or piston ring problem).
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text names P0303. A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis. Meanings: the standard SAE J2012 definitions in our own words; manufacturer codes only where verified for that make. General information, not repair advice for your car.