P0301 on FORD ESCAPE — Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected

Q: "What does P0301 mean on a FORD ESCAPE?"

"P0301 indicates: Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected. This is a ignition system code. 44 FORD ESCAPE owners have reported this to NHTSA."

Q: "What are the most common causes of P0301 on FORD ESCAPE?"

"Based on 44 NHTSA reports, the most commonly cited components are: Engine, Engine And Engine Cooling, Power Train,Engine. These percentages are based on the component field in owner complaints."

Q: "Is P0301 a safety concern on FORD ESCAPE?"

"Of 44 NHTSA reports for P0301 on FORD ESCAPE, 1 involved a crash. Always consult a qualified mechanic for any diagnostic trouble code."

Q: "What should I do if my FORD ESCAPE shows P0301?"

"1) Check for recalls on your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2) Get a professional diagnosis — a code alone doesn't identify the exact failed part. 3) Get 2-3 repair estimates to compare."

What P0301 Means on Your FORD ESCAPE

P0301 is a diagnostic trouble code indicating: Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected. This code relates to the ignition system system. The vehicle's computer detected a condition outside normal operating parameters and stored this code.

44 FORD ESCAPE owners have reported this issue to NHTSA across model years 2013-2024. Most reports come from the 2017, 2018 model years. The most commonly reported component is Engine (72.7% of reports).

Real FORD ESCAPE Owner Reports

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

"Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford escape. while driving at any speed, the engine shook and the "cylinder 1 misfire" indicator illuminated. the vehicle overheated and the engine shut off. the contact stated that the check engine indicator remained illuminated and flashed occasionally."

— 2013 FORD ESCAPE owner · ENGINE · Filed 02/20/2019

"1. Transmission failure, it is available for inspection up until time of repair. 2. The vehicle lost power while driving, had incidents of jerking forward without warning, and shifter would get stuck. 3. Yes, independent service center. 4."

— 2017 FORD ESCAPE owner · POWER TRAIN · Filed 02/06/2026

"The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and DTC: P0301, P0302, and P0304 were retrieved for a misfire in cylinder #1, #2, and #4."

— 2017 FORD ESCAPE owner · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE · Filed 12/15/2025

"Coolant Intrusion: A design flaw in the open-deck engine block allows coolant to leak into the combustion chambers, leading to misfires, white smoke, and severe engine damage. Affected Vehicles: Primarily 2017-2019 Escapes and 2014-2019 Fusions with the 1."

— 2017 FORD ESCAPE owner · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE · Filed 12/22/2025

"My 2017 Ford Escape SE has the original 2.0 engine, 90857 miles, no accidents. A widely known Ford engine defect called “coolant intrusion”marked by engine error code P0301, causes the car to consume coolant and overheat without notice. Issue is documented in TSV-22-2229 replacing TSV 22-2133."

— 2017 FORD ESCAPE owner · ENGINE · Filed 10/03/2025

All reports filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

📊 Complaint Trend by Model Year

1

'13

25

'17

11

'18

5

'19

1

'23

1

'24

Common Causes on FORD ESCAPE

Based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

ENGINE 72.7%

ENGINE and ENGINE COOLING 6.8%

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 4.5%

POWER TRAIN 2.3%

ENGINE and ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE 2.3%

What To Do Next

1
Check for recalls on YOUR VIN
Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. If your vehicle is covered, repairs are free.
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
Compare repair quotes
Get 2–3 quotes. Dealer vs. independent shop prices often differ 30–50% for the same repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does P0301 mean on a FORD ESCAPE? ▾

P0301 indicates: Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected. This is a ignition system code. 44 FORD ESCAPE owners have reported this to NHTSA.

What are the most common causes of P0301 on FORD ESCAPE? ▾

Based on 44 NHTSA reports, the most commonly cited components are: Engine, Engine And Engine Cooling, Power Train,Engine. These percentages are based on the component field in owner complaints.

Is P0301 a safety concern on FORD ESCAPE? ▾

Of 44 NHTSA reports for P0301 on FORD ESCAPE, 1 involved a crash. Always consult a qualified mechanic for any diagnostic trouble code.

What should I do if my FORD ESCAPE shows P0301? ▾

1) Check for recalls on your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2) Get a professional diagnosis — a code alone doesn't identify the exact failed part. 3) Get 2-3 repair estimates to compare.