P0302 on a Ford: Causes, Fixes & Repair Cost

🟠 Moderate severity · drivable

If the check engine light is flashing, stop driving — a severe misfire can damage the catalytic converter. A steady light is usually safe for a short drive to a shop.

What P0302 means on a Ford

On a Ford, P0302 means the engine computer has detected that cylinder 2 is not firing properly and is failing to contribute its share of power. Because it is a single-cylinder code, the fault is usually tied to cylinder 2 itself, such as its spark plug, ignition coil, or fuel injector.

Is P0302 common on Fords?

P0302 is common on Ford EcoBoost engines and V8s, including the 3.5L in the F-150 and Explorer and the 4.6L and 5.4L V8s in the Mustang and older F-150s. Ignition coils and spark plugs wear with mileage and are the usual suspects. A bad coil boot on a coil-on-plug setup can also cause a single-cylinder misfire.

Commonly reported on: F-150, Explorer, Mustang, Escape.

Symptoms

Check engine light on (flashing if severe)
Rough idle or shaking at a stop
Loss of power or hesitation under acceleration
Poor fuel economy

Common causes

most common: Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 2
common: Failing ignition coil or coil boot for cylinder 2
common: Clogged or leaking fuel injector in cylinder 2
less common: Vacuum leak near the intake
less common: Low compression in cylinder 2 from engine wear

How to fix it

Fix	DIY?	Typical cost
Replace the spark plug in cylinder 2	Yes	$30–120
Replace the ignition coil or coil boot for cylinder 2	Yes	$80–300
Clean or replace the fuel injector in cylinder 2	Mechanic	$150–600
Run a compression test to rule out internal engine wear	Mechanic	$100–200