P0442 on a 2017 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 2017 Ford Escape

Ranked from 2,628 NHTSA owner complaints filed for this vehicle.

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1
Stuck-open EVAP purge valve/solenoid
Medium severity
One owner reports the EVAP purge valve confirmed stuck open (with coolant pooling issues present separately), and another documents the purge valve solenoid replaced twice for a P1450 EVAP code.
Reported in 2 NHTSA complaints
Parts:EVAP purge valve EVAP purge solenoid
2
Failed fuel vapor line/assembly
Medium severity
One owner had the EVAP-related 'fuel vapor assembly' replaced by the dealer after a code was pulled, consistent with a vapor-line leak rather than a liquid fuel leak.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaint
Parts:EVAP fuel vapor line
3
Loose, worn, or improperly seated fuel filler cap
Low severity
The most common everyday cause of a small EVAP leak; check and replace first before deeper diagnosis. Most complaints tagged to the fuel/propulsion system on this vehicle are actually the unrelated EcoBoost coolant-intrusion issue and were excluded here as not code-consistent.
Common cause
Parts:fuel filler cap
4
Cracked or disconnected EVAP vapor line/hose
Low severity
Age-hardened or chafed vapor hoses between the tank, canister, and purge valve develop small leaks that trip the monitor's fine leak test.
Common cause
Parts:EVAP hose EVAP line
5
Cracked charcoal canister
Low severity
A hairline crack in the canister housing produces a slow, steady vapor leak consistent with a small-leak code.
Common cause
Parts:EVAP charcoal canister
6
EVAP vent valve (CVV) stuck partially open
Low severity
A vent valve that doesn't fully seal lets the system slowly equalize to atmosphere, presenting as a small leak.
Common cause
Parts:EVAP vent valve

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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