P0303 on Ford vehicles
139 owner complaints filed with NHTSA about Ford vehicles mention P0303 (Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected) - across 8 models. Below is where it shows up, by model and year.
Can you drive with it? Short careful trips only, and only while the check engine light is steady. A FLASHING light means stop - raw fuel is overheating the catalytic converter, and a glowing converter is a fire risk.
Symptoms, likely causes in order and realistic repair costs are on the main P0303 page - they do not differ much by brand. This page shows what is specific to Ford: which models and years actually report it.
Ford models reporting P0303
The number next to each year is how many NHTSA complaints for that car mention P0303. Owners rarely quote trouble codes when complaining, so real occurrence is many times higher - use these numbers to compare years, not as totals.
What Ford owners report
“Engine is misfiring due to coolant intrusion leak issue. The only solution is full engine replacement. A check engine light with code P0303 was shown. The car occasionally runs rough and coolant was observed to be low.”2017 Ford Edge · Aug 2026
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Edge. The contact stated that an independent mechanic became aware that coolant was leaking into cylinder #3. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, DTC: P0303 was displayed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: DP26008 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,700.”2018 Ford Edge · Jul 2026 · 114,700 mi
“Coolant leaking into cylinder confirmed by independent mechanic. Unable to clear code P0303. This is a documented problem with this make model with eco-boost engines but Ford claims my car is not included in recall although i do have the eco-boost and make model and year. Need complete engine replace. This is a major engine design problem”2017 Ford Escape · Jul 2026
“The vehicle in question has the coolant intrusion into cylinders 2 and 3 with rough idle on startup, P0300, P0302, P0303, and white smoke on startup. The vehicle now has 111339 miles on it and the out of pocket cost is more than what the vehicle blue books for in excellent condition. TSB 22-2134 speaks to all the issue and what the repair is. If this is a known issue then I feel this should be a vehicle recall by Ford due to the costly repair.”2017 Ford Fusion · Jul 2026
P0303 on other makes
Makes with enough NHTSA reports of P0303 for their own page.
Counts are NHTSA owner complaints whose text mentions P0303 - owner-reported and unverified. Always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.