P0303 on Land Rover
Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
P0303 on Land Rover vehicles indicates cylinder 3 misfire detected. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Land Rover model — most commonly on Freelander. This code means your engine's computer detected a misfire specifically in cylinder number 3 — that cylinder isn't burning its fuel-air mixture properly or completely. The computer senses misfires by watching for tiny fluctuations in crankshaft speed each time a cylinder is supposed to fire. A misfire wastes fuel, can cause a noticeable shake, rough idle or loss of power, and can flood raw fuel into the exhaust where it may overheat and damage the catalytic converter. Because the fault is isolated to one cylinder, the cause is usually something specific to that cylinder's ignition, fuel delivery, or compression. Typical repair costs on Land Rover range from $1,500 to $3,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0303
- •Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 3
- •Failed or weak ignition coil on cylinder 3
- •Bad spark plug wire or boot (where applicable)
- •Clogged or leaking fuel injector for cylinder 3
- •Vacuum or intake air leak affecting that cylinder
- •Low compression (worn rings, burnt/leaking valve, head gasket)
- •Wiring or connector fault at the coil or injector
P0303 on Land Rover by Model
Land Rover Freelander(1 issue)
- Head Gasket Failure on 2.5L KV6 Engine2002-2005
The Rover KV6 2.5L V6 engine used in the Freelander is notorious for head gasket failure. The V6 design uses two head gaskets (front and rear banks) and the rear bank is particularly prone to failure. The aluminum heads warp from overheating, and the original gaskets deteriorate. Head gasket failure causes coolant and oil mixing, overheating, and eventual engine destruction if not addressed. This is the single most well-known Freelander issue.
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View P0303 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0303 mean on Land Rover?▼
P0303 stands for "Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected." This code means your engine's computer detected a misfire specifically in cylinder number 3 — that cylinder isn't burning its fuel-air mixture properly or completely. The computer senses misfires by watching for tiny fluctuations in crankshaft speed each time a cylinder is supposed to fire. A misfire wastes fuel, can cause a noticeable shake, rough idle or loss of power, and can flood raw fuel into the exhaust where it may overheat and damage the catalytic converter. Because the fault is isolated to one cylinder, the cause is usually something specific to that cylinder's ignition, fuel delivery, or compression. On Land Rover specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P0303 on Land Rover vehicles?▼
Common causes on Land Rover: Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 3, Failed or weak ignition coil on cylinder 3, Bad spark plug wire or boot (where applicable), Clogged or leaking fuel injector for cylinder 3, Vacuum or intake air leak affecting that cylinder. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0303 on a Land Rover?▼
Repair costs on Land Rover range from $1,500 to $3,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Land Rover models have P0303 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0303 on 1 Land Rover model: Freelander.