EngineLightCodes
Powertrain code

P0316 Engine Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions)

Severity
Fix soon
Typical repair cost
$30–$1,320
Do it yourself
Possible, medium
Shop time
0.3–4 hours

The engine misfired in the first seconds after starting, then smoothed out. It's usually moisture in the spark plug wells, a coil that struggles when cold, or an injector that drips fuel while the car sits.

How the engine computer detects it

P0316 concerns misfire within the first 1,000 revolutions after start. CARB requires a pending code here after the first exceedance of the emissions-relevant rate (later in the drive only after the fourth) and the warning light if it recurs at the next start. Ford sets P0316 in addition to the cylinder code; GM evaluates the start within P0300–P0308 without its own code. Typical causes are water in the plug wells (Mazda Tribute bulletin: blocked drain in the valve cover channel), coils that arc when cold and damp, injectors that drip after switch-off and over-rich starting – Ford traced cases on the 2.7 EcoBoost to engine software or leaking direct injectors.

Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages

Symptoms

  • Check engine light (usually with P0300/P030x)
  • Rough running right after a cold start, then normal
  • Delayed start, fuel smell at start

Common causes

  1. Moisture or water in the plug wells, coils arcing when cold or damp Most likely
  2. Leaking injectors (fuel drips after switch-off, over-rich start) Possible
  3. Worn or sooted spark plugs that only fire cleanly when warm Possible
  4. Wrong temperature sensor value or engine software Less likely

How to diagnose P0316

  1. Check for a cylinder-specific misfire code stored alongside it. That tells you which cylinder to focus on.
  2. Pull the coils and look for water, oil or burn marks in the spark plug wells.
  3. Inspect the spark plugs for wear or heavy carbon and replace them if they're due.
  4. If plugs and coils look fine, have the injectors tested for leaking after the engine is switched off.
  5. Check for a software update from the dealer: some manufacturers released fixes for cold-start misfires.

Vehicles that report P0316 most

VehicleYearsReportsMedian miles
Ford Escape2004–20246271k
Ford Edge2007–20184673k
Ford Fusion2014–20191973k
Ford Mustang2018–20197—
Lincoln MKC2017–20195—
Ford Ranger2006369k
Ford F-1502012–20153—
Lincoln MKZ2017–20193—
Ford Explorer2017–20223—

Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P0316 (161 in total), not failure rates: popular models get more complaints simply because more of them are on the road. Models with fewer than 3 complaints are left out.

Reading the code

P
Powertrain
0
Generic (SAE) code
3
Ignition system or misfire
16
Specific fault

Questions drivers ask

Can I drive with code P0316?

Yes, if the engine runs smoothly once it's warmed up. Get it checked soon, because the cause tends to get worse and can lead to a misfire while driving.

Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0316?

Probably not in states that test vehicles with an OBD-II scan: an emissions-related code that keeps the check engine light on is usually an automatic fail. Rules differ by state and county, so check yours.

Will P0316 clear by itself?

The light can go off after several drive cycles without the fault, but the code returns if the cause is still there. After a repair, the readiness monitors need a full drive cycle before an inspection.

Can I fix P0316 myself?

Often yes, with an OBD-II scanner and basic tools. Difficulty: medium. Start with the cheapest checks before replacing expensive parts.

Often reported together

Codes that owners mention in the same NHTSA complaints as P0316. They can point to a shared cause, so it's worth checking them together.

This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Repair costs are rough estimates for parts and labor and vary by vehicle and region.