P0442 on a 2018 Toyota Camry

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 2018 Toyota Camry

Ranked from 727 NHTSA owner complaints filed for this vehicle.

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1
Fuel filler neck / tank seal leak (vapor escaping near the fuel door)
Medium severity
Several owners independently describe fuel vapor condensing and dripping near the filler pipe/fuel door in hot weather — a seal or filler-neck leak the EVAP monitor will flag.
Reported in 2 NHTSA complaints
Parts:fuel filler neck
2
EVAP purge valve failure (stuck open or leaking)
Medium severity
One owner had the purge valve replaced three separate times for a check-engine light and gas smell every time the tank was filled, with the issue persisting — a clear recurring purge-valve leak.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaint
Parts:purge valve
3
Gas cap not sealing
Low severity
One owner reported fuel leaking out around the fuel cap itself whenever the car sat overnight, regardless of tank level — a worn cap seal.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaint
Parts:gas cap
4
Fuel door release/latch mechanism failure
Low severity
A flimsy fuel-door release mechanism was reported failed since purchase, which can keep the filler door/cap from seating and sealing correctly.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaint
Parts:fuel door latch
5
EVAP vent valve stuck open
Low severity
Prevents the system from sealing for the leak test, setting a leak code.
Common cause
Parts:vent valve
6
Charcoal canister crack
Low severity
A cracked canister housing leaks vapor past the monitor's small-leak threshold.
Common cause
Parts:EVAP canister
7
Cracked EVAP hose/line
Low severity
Age and heat-cycling crack the plastic EVAP lines routed near the tank and engine bay.
Common cause
Parts:EVAP hose

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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