Symptom explainer · every vehicle on the site
Check engine light or misfire
Most reported: 2017 Ford Escape with 1,330 reports. Across the 703 model years on this site with at least five, owners filed 26,147.
- 26,147owner reports
- 703model years affected
- 71,000median miles
- 131involved a crash
- 286involved a fire
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
Which cars report it most · By model · When it happens · What it is and what to do
The 25 vehicles with the most reports
Each row is one model year. The bar is its count of misfire reports; the share is how much of that car's complaint file this problem takes up. Bigger sellers draw more reports, so read the share alongside the count. Red dots mark crashes and fires in these reports; amber marks a recall on the same system.
- 12017 Ford Escape2 crashes5 firesrecall1,33050% of its complaints77k mi
- 22018 Ford Escape1 firerecall94753% of its complaints84k mi
- 371252% of its complaints71k mi
- 42018 Ford Edge1 crash48158% of its complaints73k mi
- 52017 Ford Fusion1 crash3 fires33931% of its complaints79k mi
- 62016 Ford Fusion2 crashes33521% of its complaints92k mi
- 72014 Ford Escape14 firesrecall31716% of its complaints88k mi
- 82016 Ford Edge2 crashes29232% of its complaints78k mi
- 92018 Honda Accord1 fire28215% of its complaints92k mi
- 102019 Ford Escape1 crashrecall25543% of its complaints71k mi
- 112015 Kia Soul10 firesrecall21324% of its complaints102k mi
- 122016 Kia Soul1 crash3 firesrecall20725% of its complaints93k mi
- 132015 Ford Fusion1 crash19019% of its complaints84k mi
- 142014 Kia Soul14 firesrecall18822% of its complaints106k mi
- 1518843% of its complaints94k mi
- 162017 Chrysler Pacifica1 crash2 fires18712% of its complaints66k mi
- 172018 Ford Focus1 firerecall17821% of its complaints63k mi
- 182015 Hyundai Sonata5 fires17115% of its complaints79k mi
- 192018 Chrysler Pacifica1 crash1 fire17120% of its complaints69k mi
- 202017 Hyundai Tucson6 firesrecall16916% of its complaints70k mi
- 212021 Chevrolet Silverado 15002 crashesrecall16820% of its complaints50k mi
- 222016 Honda Pilot1 crashrecall16510% of its complaints100k mi
- 232017 Hyundai Santa Ferecall16417% of its complaints97k mi
- 242016 Kia Sorento5 fires16213% of its complaints79k mi
- 252014 Ford Focus1 crashrecall1566% of its complaints85k mi
Where it dominates the complaint file
Model years with at least 25 reports, ranked by the share of all their complaints that describe misfire. That takes most of the sales-volume effect out (small sellers still swing more).
- 12018 Ford Edge1 crash48158% of its complaints73k mi
- 22018 Ford Escape1 firerecall94753% of its complaints84k mi
- 371252% of its complaints71k mi
- 42017 Ford Escape2 crashes5 firesrecall1,33050% of its complaints77k mi
- 52019 Ford Escape1 crashrecall25543% of its complaints71k mi
- 618843% of its complaints94k mi
- 72017 Lincoln MKC1 crashrecall7942% of its complaints70k mi
- 85241% of its complaints68k mi
- 94139% of its complaints80k mi
- 102019 Ford Fusionrecall12138% of its complaints84k mi
By model, every year together
The 12 models with the most reports. Each chip is a model year; the darker chip is its worst year.
- Ford Escape3,196
- Ford Edge1,665
- Ford Fusion1,293
- Kia Soul863
- Ford Focus714
- Ram 1500688
- Ford F-150606
- Kia Sorento566
- Honda Accord528
When it happens
15,465 of the 26,147 reports state a mileage. The middle half fall between 45,000 and 99,864 miles; the median is 71,000. Each column is a 20,000-mile band.
Reports by model year
Every report of misfire, grouped by the model year of the car. 131 involved a crash and 286 a fire. 102 people were hurt.
What owners describe
Share of the 26,147 reports that use each phrase. One report can use several.
What got replaced
Reports that name the part, across every vehicle.
What it is and what to do
What the light means
Modern cars carry second-generation on-board diagnostics, or OBDII, which EPA describes as keeping the engine at peak efficiency and alerting you to emission problems that need attention. EPA's own fact sheet on the light puts it plainly: a steady light means the car may not be running properly, which can waste fuel, shorten engine life or lead to expensive repairs if it's left alone. A blinking light means something severe, such as a misfire, is happening and should be dealt with quickly. The same sheet says the car won't stop running or self-destruct because the light came on.
Owners in these reports name ignition coils, spark plugs, fuel injectors, the catalytic converter and various sensors. The Car Care Council reminds drivers that something as small as a loose gas cap can also set the light, so check that first.
What a shop checks first
EPA describes the routine: a technician connects a hand-held scanner to the car's computer, usually through a connector under the dashboard, and downloads codes that help pinpoint the problem. After the repair, the same scanner is used to confirm it worked. Ask what the shop tested to get from the code to the part it wants to replace.
When to stop driving
A steady light means book an appointment soon. A flashing light means slow down, avoid hard acceleration, and get the car to a shop promptly. If the engine is shaking badly, losing power or you smell something hot, pull over when it's safe.
What to tell the mechanic
Say whether the light is steady or flashing, and whether the engine felt different when it came on. Mention when it happens: cold starts, idle, highway or wet weather. Give the history, including every coil, plug or injector already replaced, and bring any codes you've pulled yourself.
Recalls, bulletins and warranty
Emissions parts get warranty coverage by federal rule. Under EPA's emissions warranty, emission-related parts are covered for 2 years or 24,000 miles, and the catalytic converter, the engine computer and the on-board diagnostic device for 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. Also search your year, make and model at NHTSA's recall page, which lists recalls and the service bulletins manufacturers are required to file.
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints on the 1,040 vehicle model years that have a page here, grouped by the word patterns described on the method page. A vehicle needs five matching reports to be counted in this ranking. Checked Sep 27, 2026. All problem explainers.