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P0442 Small leak in the fuel vapour (EVAP) system

Generic SAE definitionEvaporative emission system leak detected (small leak)

Safe to driveNormal driving is fine. Book it in when it suits you; it won't hurt anything in the meantime.

Check this first

Take the fuel cap off and put it back on until it clicks – then drive for a couple of days.

What usually fixes it

In the order a good shop checks them. Typical total: $36–$362 at $130 an hour.

  1. Fuel cap

    $36–$78

    A worn seal or a cap left loose is the most common cause by far.

  2. EVAP hose or seal

    $119–$282

    Cracked hoses and perished grommets leak vapour.

  3. Purge or vent valve

    $123–$330

    A valve that doesn't seal holds the system open.

Code titles are the generic SAE definitions. Prices are typical US parts and labor for a common car or light truck – a guide for judging a quote, not a quote. Always confirm a repair against the vehicle in front of you.

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See what your vehicle says about P0442

A stored code is a headline, not the story. The vehicle also holds the conditions from the moment the code set, how close each part is to the limit it fails at, what the fuel trims are doing, and whether the fault is still happening. Drive DTC reads all of it with a USB adapter and a Windows PC – read-only by design.

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More in Emissions

All 12 codes in this group
P0420Catalyst system efficiency below threshold (Bank 1) P0430Catalyst system efficiency below threshold (Bank 2) P0441Evaporative emission system incorrect purge flow P0443Evaporative emission system purge control valve circuit P0446Evaporative emission system vent control circuit P0455Evaporative emission system leak detected (large leak)