P0442 on a 2016 Honda Pilot

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 2016 Honda Pilot

Ranked from 1,672 NHTSA owner complaints filed for this vehicle.

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1
Fuel tank EVAP-side seal failure
Medium severity
An independent shop pressure-tested the system after a persistent fuel smell and found the EVAP side of the fuel tank failed the test; the vehicle was outside the Honda TSB 16-051/17-021 recall coverage.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaint
Parts:fuel tank
2
Gas cap door / seal hinge failure
Low severity
One owner documented the gas cap door's hinge spring wearing out so the door no longer seals the capless filler opening, letting weather/air into the fill tube — a known issue on this model.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaint
Parts:fuel filler door seal
3
Cracked or perished EVAP hose/line
Medium severity
Rubber vapor lines dry out and crack with age/heat exposure; smoke-test the EVAP circuit to isolate.
Common cause
Parts:EVAP hose
4
Purge valve stuck open
Medium severity
A leaking purge solenoid prevents the system from holding vacuum/pressure during the self-test; verify commanded operation with a scan tool.
Common cause
Parts:purge valve
5
Vent valve/solenoid failure
Medium severity
A vent valve that won't fully close leaks air into the system during testing; bench or scan-tool test the solenoid.
Common cause
Parts:EVAP vent valve
6
Cracked charcoal canister
Medium severity
A physically damaged canister housing leaks vapor; typically found by smoke test.
Common cause
Parts:charcoal canister
7
Rusted or damaged filler neck
Low severity
Corrosion or physical damage to the filler neck breaks the EVAP seal path; inspect for rust-through.
Common cause

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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