P0304 on FORD ESCAPE — Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected

Q: "What does P0304 mean on a FORD ESCAPE?"

"P0304 indicates: Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected. This is a ignition system code. 43 FORD ESCAPE owners have reported this to NHTSA."

Q: "What are the most common causes of P0304 on FORD ESCAPE?"

"Based on 43 NHTSA reports, the most commonly cited components are: Engine, Engine And Engine Cooling, Engine And Engine Cooling,Engine. These percentages are based on the component field in owner complaints."

Q: "Is P0304 a safety concern on FORD ESCAPE?"

"Of 43 NHTSA reports for P0304 on FORD ESCAPE, 1 involved a fire. Always consult a qualified mechanic for any diagnostic trouble code."

Q: "What should I do if my FORD ESCAPE shows P0304?"

"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 P0304 Means on Your FORD ESCAPE

P0304 is a diagnostic trouble code indicating: Cylinder 4 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.

43 FORD ESCAPE owners have reported this issue to NHTSA across model years 2013-2019. Most reports come from the 2017, 2018 model years. The most commonly reported component is Engine (67.4% of reports).

Real FORD ESCAPE Owner Reports

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

"The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to pull over to a safe place. The contact shifted to neutral(N), turned off, and restarted the vehicle, and the contact was able to continue driving."

— 2013 FORD ESCAPE owner · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · Filed 02/16/2025

"The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the engine was misfiring, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he drove to the residence."

— 2013 FORD ESCAPE owner · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · Filed 11/30/2023

"Car has been losing coolant(no visible leaks), smells of gas, has a hard start and poor idle/shakes. error code p0304 showing 4th cylinder misfire. had ignition coils and spark plugs replaced. still throwing code, still losing coolant. kept having to top off coolant."

— 2013 FORD ESCAPE owner · ENGINE · Filed 07/01/2020

"Coolant leaking into cylinder 4. Code P0304. I’ve been having this problem for months. I’ve gotten numerous repairs on the car and nothing is fixing the problem. It is currently at a Ford dealership again in Durham North Carolina. They are saying it’s an engine block problem."

— 2014 FORD ESCAPE owner · ENGINE · Filed 09/01/2002

"On November 14th, 2023, a red alert appeared on the dash that indicated an engine temperature warning indicating that there was a high temperature warning and that I should find a safe place to pull over and immediately stop the vehicle."

— 2016 FORD ESCAPE owner · POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · Filed 11/14/2023

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

📊 Complaint Trend by Model Year

3

'13

1

'14

1

'16

24

'17

8

'18

6

'19

Common Causes on FORD ESCAPE

Based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

ENGINE 67.4%

ENGINE and ENGINE COOLING 9.3%

ENGINE and ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE 4.7%

UNKNOWN or OTHER,ENGINE 4.7%

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 4.7%

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 P0304 mean on a FORD ESCAPE? ▾

P0304 indicates: Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected. This is a ignition system code. 43 FORD ESCAPE owners have reported this to NHTSA.

What are the most common causes of P0304 on FORD ESCAPE? ▾

Based on 43 NHTSA reports, the most commonly cited components are: Engine, Engine And Engine Cooling, Engine And Engine Cooling,Engine. These percentages are based on the component field in owner complaints.

Is P0304 a safety concern on FORD ESCAPE? ▾

Of 43 NHTSA reports for P0304 on FORD ESCAPE, 1 involved a fire. Always consult a qualified mechanic for any diagnostic trouble code.

What should I do if my FORD ESCAPE shows P0304? ▾

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.