The P0302 code on your 2016 Ford F-150 indicates repeated cylinder 2 misfires. The 2016 was the second year of the aluminum-body F-150 with refreshed engine options. At 8+ years old, wear-related misfire causes are common.
2016 F-150 Powertrain Options
The 2016 F-150 offered 2.7L EcoBoost V6, 3.5L EcoBoost V6, 5.0L V8, and 3.5L naturally aspirated V6. The EcoBoost engines are more complex with turbochargers and direct injection, while the V8 is more traditional.
High-Mileage Considerations
An 8-year-old F-150 may have significant mileage. Common wear items causing P0302 include spark plugs past service life, degraded ignition coils, carbon buildup on EcoBoost intake valves, worn fuel injectors, and vacuum leaks from aged gaskets.
Preventive Replacement Strategy
When fixing a single-cylinder misfire on an older truck, consider replacing all spark plugs and inspecting all coils. This approach is often more cost-effective than repeated single-component repairs as other cylinders develop similar issues.
Cost-Effective Diagnosis
The coil swap test remains the most efficient way to identify the faulty component without guessing. This simple test can save significant money by pinpointing the exact cause before buying parts.