The Lemon IndexCylinder 3 is not firing properly, so the engine runs rough and loses some power. Full P0303 page
62 owner complaints · the #4 code Ford Escape owners name · 8% of Ford Escape complaints that name a code (every car: 2.4%)
Middle of 92,000 miles · most between 72,000 and 105,000 (14 owners gave it)
Ford Escape owners named P0303 in 62 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2018, 2017 and 2019 model years, at a middle of 92,000 miles. The part they name most is the head gasket (28 complaints). Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Ford Escape model years that report P0303
Owner complaints naming P0303, by model year. Raw counts: years that sold more get more complaints, so this is each model year's record, not a failure rate.
Mileage when it happened
92,000 miles is the middle of what 14 owners entered. Half were between 72,000 and 105,000 miles.
The mileage on the complaint form, when the owner gave one.
What owners say caused it or fixed it
The most-named part is the head gasket, in 28 of the 62 complaints (45%). 13 of those mention it being replaced or repaired, and 2 say the problem came back afterwards. Next: engine (replaced or rebuilt) (25), spark plugs (13) and ignition coils (9).
- Head gasket or coolant in a cylinder28 complaints13 mention a repair or replacement, 2 of them say the problem came back · what Ford Escape owners paid
- Engine replaced or rebuilt25 complaints24 mention a repair or replacement, 5 of them say the problem came back · what Ford Escape owners paid
- Spark plugs13 complaints12 mention a repair or replacement, 4 of them say the problem came back · what Ford Escape owners paid
- Ignition coils9 complaints9 mention a repair or replacement, 3 of them say the problem came back · what Ford Escape owners paid
- Engine computer (ECM / PCM)3 complaintsnamed as the cause, no repair mentioned · what Ford Escape owners paid
14 complaints mention a recall and 10 mention a warranty.
Counted from the owners' own words: a part counts when a sentence names it with a cause or repair word. What owners wrote, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause before replacing parts.
Symptoms owners describe with P0303
53% of these complaints say the check engine light came on.
- Shakes, runs rough or misfires79%49 of 62 complaints
- Overheats44%27 of 62 complaints
- Stalls or shuts off13%8 of 62 complaints
- Loses power or goes into limp mode11%7 of 62 complaints
- Warning lights and electrical faults5%3 of 62 complaints
- Flashing check engine light5%3 of 62 complaints
Share of the complaints naming P0303 whose text also describes each problem. A complaint can describe more than one.
Codes owners report with it
P0316 8 P0302 5 P0300 5 P1299 3 P1285 2 P0304 2
Other codes named in the same Ford Escape complaints, and in how many.
Repair costs
- Engine replacement$10,0009 bills · middle bill
Repair bills owners named in these 62 complaints (9 in all). Owner reports, not a quote: costs vary by shop and region.
Ford Escape head gasket replacement cost · Ford Escape spark plug replacement cost · Ford Escape ignition coil replacement cost · Ford Escape ECM (engine computer) replacement cost
Recalls on these Ford Escape years
- Engine · 2014 · issued 2017
If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil. NHTSA 17V209000 - Engine · 2013 · issued 2013
The affected vehicles may experience localized overheating of the engine cylinder head which may cause cracks that could allow oil to leak. NHTSA 13V583000 - Engine · 2013 · issued 2012
Coolant system leaks may cause the engines to overheat and leak flammable engine fluids. NHTSA 12V551000 - Engine · 2013 · issued 2012
The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant. NHTSA 12V431000
4 recalls for the same systems (engine) on the Ford Escape model years above. A recall for the same system isn't proof it's behind P0303. Recall work is free at any dealer: check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with our VIN check.
Keep going
- P0303: meaning, causes and every car that reports it
- Ford Escape reliability by year
- 2018 Ford Escape problems and recalls
Other codes Ford Escape owners report
P2111 P2112 P0302 B2278 P0316 P0301 P0304 P1299 P0300 P1450
P0303 on other cars
Ford Edge (34) · Chrysler Pacifica (26) · Honda CR-V (23) · Ford Fusion (22) · Honda Accord (20) · Honda Odyssey (16) · Kia Soul (14)
The details
How we count
We read every owner complaint in the NHTSA file whose text names this trouble code, and count the ones filed about this model (matched by the make, model and model year on the complaint). Mileage is what the owner entered on the form.
Parts: a complaint counts for a part when one of the owner's own sentences names that part together with a cause word (failed, bad, diagnosed, caused by, leaking ...) or a repair word (replaced, repaired, new, reprogrammed ...). "Came back" means the same complaint also says the problem returned or the repair didn't fix it. These are counts of what owners wrote, not a diagnosis, and one complaint can name several parts.
Complaints are reports, not proof of a defect, and most owners never file one. Popular models get more complaints, so the counts are not a failure rate. The code meaning is the standard SAE J2012 definition in our own words, or the carmaker's meaning where we verified it for that make.
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.
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
- Fuel injector on cylinder 3
- Vacuum leak near that cylinder
- Low compression (valve or piston ring problem)
Check the complaints yourself
NHTSA complaint numbers (search them at nhtsa.gov): 11770490, 11752411, 11752241, 11750318, 11749780, 11745864, 11744892, 11744205, 11743337, 11741386, 11741011, 11731183 and 50 more.
Quick answers
What does P0303 mean on a Ford Escape?
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.
Which Ford Escape years have the most P0303 complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2018 (23), 2017 (23), 2019 (7) Ford Escape named P0303 most (62 complaints in all, 2006–2019). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
What fixes P0303 on a Ford Escape?
Owners most often name the head gasket (28 of 62 complaints), then engine (replaced or rebuilt) and spark plugs. That's what owners wrote, not a diagnosis: have a shop confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
At what mileage does P0303 show up on a Ford Escape?
Owners who gave their mileage reported a middle of 92,000 miles; half were between 72,000 and 105,000 (14 owners).
Can I drive my Ford Escape 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.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints that name P0303 on the Ford Escape, counted by The Lemon Index; NHTSA recalls; repair bills owners named. Meanings: SAE J2012 in our own words. Owner reports, not a diagnosis or repair advice for your car.