P0455 on a 2016 Ford Explorer
P0455 means the EVAP system failed a leak check badly enough that the computer sees a large leak or no pressure/vacuum change.
Not your vehicle? See general P0455 info.
Most common causes on the 2016 Ford Explorer
Ranked from 2,432 NHTSA owner complaints filed for this vehicle.
- 1
EVAP purge/vent solenoid failure (repeat failures)
High severityTwo separate owners had EVAP-related components (described as 'evap throttle'/'evap pump') replaced multiple times for a recurring EVAP code, large enough to be flagged repeatedly.
Reported in 2 NHTSA complaints - 2
Loose or damaged fuel filler neck/seal
Medium severityOwners report a loose filler neck causing spillage and leaking at the filler door, both large-leak-sized fault points.
Reported in 2 NHTSA complaintsParts:fuel filler neck - 3
Canister purge valve stuck open
High severityAn owner's purge valve was found stuck open, leaking strong fuel vapors into the cabin - a large, continuous leak path.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaintParts:purge valve - 4
Fuel tank or fuel line leak
High severityOne owner discovered fuel pouring from the front of the vehicle, a leak large enough to fail the EVAP large-leak test outright.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaint - 5
Loose, missing, or faulty gas cap
Low severityThe classic large-leak trigger; check cap seating/seal first.
Common cause - 6
Split or disconnected EVAP hose
Medium severityA popped-off or split hose is a common large-leak source in the EVAP system.
Common cause
Part links go to Amazon search results for this vehicle. As an Amazon Associate, WrenchConnect earns from qualifying purchases — always confirm fitment for your exact trim and engine before ordering.
These causes are aggregated from NHTSA owner complaints and general repair knowledge — this is not a diagnosis. P0455 on your car still needs shop confirmation before any repair.
Common symptoms
- Check engine light
- Fuel smell
- Usually no performance issue
- Failed emissions readiness
What to check before replacing parts
Check the gas cap first
Look for: A loose, missing, or cross-threaded cap is by far the most common cause of a large EVAP leak code — if it doesn't click to full tightness or the seal is cracked, that's very likely the whole fault.
Inspect visible EVAP hoses
Look for: A large leak is often obvious: a hose disconnected at a fitting, split open, or chewed through (rodent damage is common) rather than a hairline crack.
Command the purge and vent valves with a scan tool
Look for: A valve that doesn't respond at all when commanded open/closed, or stays open when it should seal, prevents the system from holding pressure/vacuum and reads as a large leak.
Smoke-test the system
Look for: With a large leak, expect an obvious plume of smoke or a clearly audible hiss at the fault location — it should be easy to spot compared to a small-leak diagnosis.
Inspect the canister and filler neck
Look for: A cracked charcoal canister housing or a corroded/rusted-through filler neck (common on older vehicles) can leak enough to prevent the system from ever holding vacuum.
Rather have a pro handle it? Find a vetted local mechanic.