P0442 on a 2013 Honda Accord

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 Honda Accord

Ranked from 1,418 NHTSA owner complaints filed for this vehicle.

Sort by:

1
Fuel tank or fuel line leak (recall-era fuel system defect)
High severity
Multiple owners report a fuel odor and confirmed dealer-diagnosed fuel tank/line leaks on 2013 Accords tied to NHTSA recall 13V-297, a documented small-leak source on this exact model year.
Reported in 4 NHTSA complaints
Parts:fuel tank fuel line
2
Loose or faulty gas cap/cap seal
Medium severity
Several owners saw 'check fuel cap' warnings and had the cap replaced, though the light returned for some — worth ruling out first even though it often points back to the tank/line leak above on this model.
Reported in 3 NHTSA complaints
Parts:gas cap
3
Cracked or deteriorated EVAP hose/line
Medium severity
Age-hardened rubber lines between tank, canister, and purge valve commonly develop small pinhole leaks.
Common cause
4
Purge valve stuck open or leaking slightly
Medium severity
A purge valve that doesn't seal fully allows a small, steady leak path that fails the small-leak monitor.
Common cause
Parts:purge valve
5
Vent valve leaking slightly
Medium severity
A worn vent valve seal can produce a small leak that only shows up under the more sensitive small-leak test.
Common cause
Parts:vent valve
6
Cracked charcoal canister
Medium severity
Small cracks in the canister housing are a common small-leak source.
Common cause
Parts:charcoal canister

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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.

Rather have a pro handle it? Find a vetted local mechanic.

Matching symptoms

Check Engine Light