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P0303 on FORD MUSTANG

Severity
Medium
NHTSA Reports
3
Most Affected
2018, 2016

What P0303 Means on Your FORD MUSTANG

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

"My car started to show a check engine light on around 103,000 miles. After getting a check engine light reading, the code was a misfire p0303 on cylinder 3. I took the car to a mechanic and was told the head gasket was blown and coolant was leaking into it."

— 2016 FORD MUSTANG owner • ENGINE • Filed 08/18/2023

"Random/multiple misfires and cyl 3 misfire (P0300 and P0303). Mechanic used a borescope and found coolant on the walls; visible coolant intrusion in cylinder 3. Coolant has gotten to low levels. Very rough cold start. Mechanic highly recommends to get the engine replaced."

— 2018 FORD MUSTANG owner • ENGINE • Filed 01/08/2026

"For roughly 4mths beginning in April 2025, my 2018 Ford Mustang Ecoboost has been suffering from a sporadic misfire, with it the system reporting the misfire and the check engine light coming on, the Ford App identifying the misfire occurring."

— 2018 FORD MUSTANG owner • POWER TRAIN,ENGINE • Filed 04/25/2025

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 MUSTANG

66.7%
33.3%

Percentages based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

Complaint Trend by Year

2016
1
2018
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