P0316: Engine Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions)
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Minimize driving until diagnosed - startup misfires often precede full misfire codes.
Symptoms
- Rough running in the first seconds after start
- Often paired with P0300-series codes
Likely causes, most common first
- Weak ignition components showing under startup load
- Low compression in one cylinder
- Fuel delivery marginal at cranking pressure
- On Ford EcoBoost/Coyote: known early-misfire patterns worth a TSB check
Read P0316 yourself before paying for diagnosis
A basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanner ($20-40) plugs into the port under the dashboard and shows this code with live sensor data on your phone - useful both for confirming the fix and for talking to a shop from an informed position.
What is going on and how it gets diagnosed
P0316 means misfires were detected specifically within the first 1000 revolutions after startup. Cold, low-rpm combustion is the hardest test an engine faces each day - weak parts fail it first, then progress to full-time misfires.
The accompanying cylinder-specific code (if any) directs the work. On several Ford engines this code participates in well-documented factory patterns - a technical service bulletin search by your engine is worth ten minutes before parts spending.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0316
“Ford issued TSB 22-2229 (and earlier TSB 19-2208) specifically covering 2018 2.0L EcoBoost engines with coolant intrusion into the cylinders. The Root Cause: Ford redesigned the engine block around mid-2019 because the original design allowed coolant to pool in small grooves between the cylinder bores, eventually degrading the head gasket or cracking the cylinder wall. Error code * P0316 - misfire detected during startup. Ford dealer estimate $12,700 for the Repair. A new engine block.. Ford customer care says there is no assistance available because the vehicle is out of warranty. It has 60,555 miles.”2018 Ford Escape · Sep 2026
“Took my 2017 Edge in for Check Engine light ON. Tech found Code P0302 & P0316 for misfire code. Followed TSB-22-2229 and inspected for coolant leak. Found coolant intrusion in cylinder #2. Assessed that a new engine is needed (long block repair/replace). Quoted $12,623.84 + tax. Advised that if I continue to drive my vehicle "it would not last long."”2017 Ford Edge · Sep 2026
“On September 11, 2026, my 2018 Ford Edge with approximately 126,000 miles began shaking and the check-engine light came on. There were no earlier warnings. I am concerned the engine could lose power while driving. I took it to a Ford dealership, where the advisor verbally confirmed coolant inside an engine cylinder and reported codes P0302 and P0316. The repair was quoted at $8,600 before taxes, and repair assistance was denied. The only other recent inspection was a registration inspection a few months earlier.”2018 Ford Edge · Sep 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“The engine light on my 2017 Ford Escape EcoBoost 2.0L has come on a couple times in the last few months. My trusted mechanic has diagnosed the following codes: P0301 and P0316 - which indicates cylinder misfire and misfire detected on start up. There is an active TSB 22-2226 (Coolant intrusion into Spark Plug/Cylinder Bore) that matches up with those codes. This is my daughter's primary vehicle and we are not comfortable with her continuing to drive it for fear of total engine lockup. I took it into my local dealership to have them do their own diagnosis and to contact Ford corporate to determine the appropriate path to resolution. Current mileage is approximately 72,700 miles.”2017 Ford Escape · Sep 2026
“Head gasket blew, and car overheated immediately on the freeway, with no warning signs, and at only 43,000 miles when a failure like this should not occur. Had to find a place to pull over and be towed to avoid more engine damage. Both independent mechanic and Ford dealership has confirmed this. Official diagnosis is "Remove and replace cylinder head assembly and replace head gasket - coolant intrusion cylinder 1, P0316, P0301." Apparently it's a known issue with this particular engine and has a pending lawsuit.”2019 Ford Mustang · Aug 2026
“Check engine light on. Codes P0316, P0300, P0301, P0302. Technician confirmed via scope coolant intrusion on cylinder 1 and 2. Technician stated it is known issue with this engine and recommends a new engine for $16,169.92. This has been an ongoing issue for the past two years.”2017 Lincoln MKC · Aug 2026
“I experienced rough idle and smell of coolant at start up. Engine light came on. Took car to dealership for diagnosis. Dealer verified my concern ran pcm self test, p0300, p0302 p0303 p0316 present, found coolant intrusion into cylinders. Dealer replaced long block per wsm 303-01. Cost to me $8,036.29. My 2017 Edge had 72,177 miles.”2017 Ford Edge · Jul 2026
“My 1.5L EcoBoost engine in my 2019 Ford Escape exhibits a low coolant levels, white exhaust smoke, and runs rough condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator light with only diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0302 and P0316. Ford admits to having this issue as described in a Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 but is not agreeing to service my vehicle as they state it does not have this issue despite exhibiting all of this symptoms listed in the Satisfaction Program.”2019 Ford Escape · May 2026
“My 2017 Ford Edge SEL with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine has a diagnosed coolant leak and misfire/startup codes P0302 and P0316. The vehicle hesitates and rumbles during startup and sometimes feels like it may shut off. The diagnosis appears consistent with the known Ford 2.0L EcoBoost coolant intrusion/coolant-in-cylinder issue. I was told the engine may need replacement, estimated around $10,000. Ford opened case CXH-08391857 but advised there is no active recall or financial assistance because the vehicle is out of warranty. I am reporting this because an engine misfire/possible stall condition may create a safety concern.”2017 Ford Edge · May 2026
“I have a vehicle whose refrigeration is going into the motor. It started with the check engine light came on notifying the third spark plug was damaged and showed the codes P0303, P04DB, P0316, P0339. Later a warning sign came on the dashboard with the phrase "ENGINE MALFUNCTION, SERVICE NOW". It had a recall almost immediately after it was acquired and was seen by the manufacturer about two years.”2018 Ford Escape · May 2026
Cars that report P0316 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
P0316 by make
Makes with enough NHTSA reports of P0316 for a page of their own - which models and years report it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0316?
Minimize driving until diagnosed - startup misfires often precede full misfire codes.
How much does it cost to fix P0316?
Typical US repair costs range from $80 for the simplest fix (plugs and coils as indicated) to $5,000 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0316. They often appear together, and telling them apart is usually what narrows the diagnosis.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.