P0440 on Pontiac
Evaporative Emission Control System Malfunction
P0440 on Pontiac vehicles indicates evaporative emission control system malfunction. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Pontiac model — most commonly on Vibe. This code indicates a general malfunction in the Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) system, which captures fuel vapors from the gas tank and routes them to be burned by the engine instead of escaping into the air. The computer ran a self-test and detected the sealed vapor system isn't holding pressure or vacuum correctly, often signaling a leak somewhere in the system. The most frequent and easiest cause is a loose or faulty gas cap. The car will run normally, but it will fail an emissions test and may smell faintly of fuel. Typical repair costs on Pontiac range from $100 to $700, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0440
- •Loose, damaged, or missing gas cap
- •Cracked or disconnected EVAP hose
- •Faulty purge valve/solenoid
- •Faulty vent valve/solenoid
- •Leaking charcoal canister
- •Damaged fuel tank filler neck or seal
- •Faulty leak detection pump or pressure sensor
P0440 on Pontiac by Model
Pontiac Vibe(1 issue)
- EVAP System Faults — Charcoal Canister and Vent VSV Failure (P0440/P0441/P0446)2003-2010
The Toyota-designed EVAP system used across the Vibe range is prone to the vacuum switching valve (VSV) on the charcoal canister sticking from dirt and weather exposure, and to the canister itself failing or becoming saturated, often after repeated fuel-tank topping-off. The result is the persistent check-engine-light trio P0440/P0441/P0446 (sometimes P0442), refueling problems where the pump nozzle clicks off repeatedly, and an automatic emissions-test failure in inspection states. This is one of the most common ownership complaints across GenVibe and Toyota Corolla/Matrix communities.
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What does P0440 mean on Pontiac?▼
P0440 stands for "Evaporative Emission Control System Malfunction." This code indicates a general malfunction in the Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) system, which captures fuel vapors from the gas tank and routes them to be burned by the engine instead of escaping into the air. The computer ran a self-test and detected the sealed vapor system isn't holding pressure or vacuum correctly, often signaling a leak somewhere in the system. The most frequent and easiest cause is a loose or faulty gas cap. The car will run normally, but it will fail an emissions test and may smell faintly of fuel. On Pontiac specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P0440 on Pontiac vehicles?▼
Common causes on Pontiac: Loose, damaged, or missing gas cap, Cracked or disconnected EVAP hose, Faulty purge valve/solenoid, Faulty vent valve/solenoid, Leaking charcoal canister. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0440 on a Pontiac?▼
Repair costs on Pontiac range from $100 to $700, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Pontiac models have P0440 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0440 on 1 Pontiac model: Vibe.