P0442 on a 2013 Ford Escape

P0442 means the EVAP system could not hold pressure or vacuum during a leak test, but the leak is small.

Not your vehicle? See general P0442 info.

Most common causes on the 2013 Ford Escape

Ranked from 2,743 NHTSA owner complaints filed for this vehicle.

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1
Cracked or disconnected EVAP vapor line causing persistent fuel odor
Medium severity
Multiple owners describe a fuel-vacuum-line leak to the gas tank and unresolved gasoline smell (one after being told the code was P0456, a small EVAP leak), consistent with a small vapor-line leak rather than a liquid fuel leak.
Reported in 3 NHTSA complaints
Parts:EVAP hose EVAP line
2
Stuck or failing EVAP purge/canister vent valve
Medium severity
Owners report a stuck-bad purge valve replaced multiple times, and a diagnosed 'CVP stuck' matching a Ford Focus-era purge-valve recall pattern on the same-generation Escape.
Reported in 2 NHTSA complaints
Parts:EVAP purge valve
3
Fuel tank pressure sensor / vent valve restriction (hissing at the pump, can't bleed tank vacuum)
Low severity
One owner reports a hissing gas tank at fill-up with a scan code indicating the system could not bleed up fuel tank vacuum — a classic small-leak/restricted-vent symptom.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaint
Parts:fuel tank pressure sensor EVAP vent valve
4
Loose, worn, or missing fuel filler cap
Low severity
The single most common real-world trigger for a small EVAP leak code; check first for a cap that isn't clicking to full seal or has a worn gasket.
Common cause
Parts:fuel filler cap
5
Cracked charcoal canister
Low severity
A carbon canister housing crack (from age, road debris, or heat) creates a small, steady vapor leak the PCM's leak-detection test will flag.
Common cause
Parts:EVAP charcoal canister
6
Rusted or corroded fuel filler neck
Low severity
Common on vehicles from salt-belt regions; corrosion perforates the filler neck or its seal, creating a small vapor leak that only shows up under EVAP monitor testing.
Common cause
Parts:fuel filler neck

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These causes are aggregated from NHTSA owner complaints and general repair knowledge — this is not a diagnosis. P0442 on your car still needs shop confirmation before any repair.

Common symptoms

Check engine light
Fuel smell near vehicle
Usually drives normally
Hard start after fueling in some cases

What to check before replacing parts

Tighten and inspect the gas cap

Look for: A cap that doesn't click to full tightness, has a visibly cracked or flattened seal, or is simply missing is the single most common cause of a small EVAP leak — rule it out first.

Smoke-test the EVAP system

Look for: Because this is a small leak, expect only a thin wisp of smoke or a faint hiss at one spot (a hose, seam, or valve) rather than an obvious cloud — look closely and take your time.

Check purge valve sealing

Look for: A purge valve that doesn't hold vacuum when commanded closed lets a small amount of air bleed through, which the system reads as a leak during its self-test.

Inspect hoses near the tank and engine bay

Look for: Look for small cracks, soft/collapsed spots, or a hose that has pulled loose slightly at a fitting — any of these can leak just enough to trip a small-leak code without an obvious fuel smell.

Verify vent valve operation

Look for: A vent valve that doesn't seal fully when commanded closed prevents the system from holding vacuum during its self-test, which reads as a small leak even with no physical leak in the hoses.

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Matching symptoms

Check Engine Light