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P0303 on FORD FUSION

Severity
Medium
NHTSA Reports
20
Most Affected
2015, 2016, 2017

What P0303 Means on Your FORD FUSION

Real FORD FUSION Owner Reports (Source: NHTSA Complaints Database)

"I had coolant leaking in my 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6L causing a misfire in cylinder 3 from diagnostics code P0303."

— 2013 FORD FUSION owner • ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM • Filed 01/14/2023

"April 2019 while traveling on the highway check engine and dash lights flashed along with vehicle overheating message. had to pull over on the shoulder and call for a tow to the purchasing dealership. water pump was replaced and cooling system checked."

— 2013 FORD FUSION owner • ENGINE • Filed 02/25/2020

"The engine (1.5L EcoBoost) has suffered a failure due to coolant intrusion into cylinder 3, which has led to repeated engine misfires. Trouble codes P0303 (misfire cylinder 3) and P0316 (misfire on startup) were found."

— 2015 FORD FUSION owner • ENGINE • Filed 04/08/2025

"Coolant is leaking into cylinder 3 of the engine causing a misfiring and code P0303 to present itself. White exhaust is seen when the vehicle is turned on. Lots of vibrations present and the check engine light stays on."

— 2015 FORD FUSION owner • ENGINE • Filed 05/01/2024

"Check engine light, Code P0303. #3 cylinder misfire. Coolant leaking into cylinders 2 & 3 due to faulty casting of the short block. This was a known defect of 2015 Ford Fusion 1.5 liter EcoBoost engine by Ford Motor Co. No recall was issued. I was not notified of this defect until it happened."

— 2015 FORD FUSION owner • UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE • Filed 09/12/2024

Data from NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. All reports are filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Common Causes of P0303 on FORD FUSION

50%
15%
10%
10%
10%

Percentages based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

Complaint Trend by Year

2013
2
2015
6
2016
5
2017
3
2018
2
2019
2

What To Do Next

  1. 1
    Check for recalls on YOUR VIN

    Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. Free repairs if your vehicle is covered.

  2. 2
    Get a proper diagnosis

    A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50-$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.

  3. 3
    Compare repair quotes

    Get 2-3 quotes. Dealer vs independent shop prices often differ 30-50% for the same repair.

P0303 on Other Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation) and the SAE J2012 OBD-II standard. Code definitions follow the SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standard. Owner reports are filed directly with NHTSA by vehicle owners. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional automotive diagnosis. Always consult a qualified mechanic for vehicle repair decisions.

Last updated: March 2026