A P0302 code on your 2018 Ford F-150 indicates the PCM detected misfires specifically in cylinder 2. At 6+ years old, your F-150 may experience misfire from wear-related causes across any of its available engines.
2018 F-150 Engine Options
The 2018 F-150 offered 2.7L EcoBoost, 3.5L EcoBoost, 5.0L V8, and 3.3L V6. Each has different characteristics affecting misfire diagnosis. The EcoBoost engines are more prone to carbon buildup issues as mileage increases.
Age-Related Considerations
At this age, common P0302 causes include worn spark plugs approaching or past service interval, ignition coil degradation from years of heat cycling, carbon deposits on EcoBoost intake valves, and fuel injector issues. Check maintenance history for overdue services.
Maintenance History Review
Ford recommends spark plug replacement at 100,000 miles. If your 2018 hasn't had plugs replaced and has significant mileage, worn plugs may be causing the misfire. This is often the most economical fix.
Systematic Diagnosis
Even on an older truck, start with the swap test to identify the faulty component before replacing parts. This prevents unnecessary expense and ensures you fix the actual problem.