P0442 on Honda
Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (Small Leak)
P0442 on Honda vehicles indicates evaporative emission control system leak detected (small leak). Au7o has documented this code across 3 Honda models — most commonly on Accord, Civic, CR-V. This emissions code means the evaporative emission (EVAP) control system has detected a small leak. The EVAP system seals the fuel tank and captures gasoline vapors, routing them to be burned in the engine instead of escaping into the air, and the computer periodically pressure- or vacuum-tests the system to confirm it's sealed. A small leak the size of about a 0.040-inch hole will set this code. By far the most common and cheapest cause is a loose, damaged, or missing gas cap, so that's the first thing to check, though any cracked hose or worn seal in the system can also trigger it. Typical repair costs on Honda range from $20 to $400, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0442
- •Loose, damaged, or missing fuel filler cap
- •Worn or cracked gas cap seal
- •Cracked or disconnected EVAP hose or line
- •Faulty purge valve or vent valve
- •Damaged O-ring or seal at the fuel tank or filler neck
- •Small crack in the charcoal canister
- •Leaking fuel tank sending unit gasket
P0442 on Honda by Model
Honda Accord(1 issue)
- P0442 — Small EVAP Leak from Degraded Fuel Cap Seal or Failing Purge Valve2003-2017
On the Honda Accord, P0442 (small EVAP leak) is one of the most common check-engine triggers and almost always traces to one of three components in order of likelihood: the fuel cap, the engine-bay canister purge valve, or the under-car canister vent solenoid. The gas cap's rubber O-ring hardens, cracks, and stops sealing with age (aftermarket caps are a frequent repeat offender on this model). When the cap is good, the electric canister purge valve (which sticks or leaks internally) and the vent solenoid are the next suspects. A common Honda giveaway is a P1457 or P0451/P0456 stored alongside P0442, which points to the canister vent-side hardware rather than the cap. Because the leak is small, it is often intermittent and may set after refueling.
Honda Civic(1 issue)
- P0442 — Small EVAP Leak from a Degraded Gas Cap Seal or Cracked Vapor Hose2006-2022
P0442 sets when the Civic's PCM runs its EVAP self-test and detects a small leak (roughly 0.020-0.040 in). On the Civic the overwhelmingly most common source is the fuel-filler cap: the rubber O-ring on the cap hardens and shrinks with age/heat and stops sealing, which is why a P0442 frequently appears first and later escalates to a P0455 gross leak as the same gasket worsens. After the cap, the usual Civic culprits are cracked/perished EVAP vapor hoses (heat-aged rubber near the engine bay and along the tank), a purge solenoid or canister vent valve not sealing, or a leaking charcoal canister. It is common across all EVAP-equipped generations but very typical on high-mileage 8th-gen (2006-2011) and 9th-gen (2012-2015) cars.
Honda CR-V(1 issue)
- P0442 — Small EVAP Leak from Loose/Failed Gas Cap or Purge Valve2002-2022
P0442 sets when the CR-V's ECM runs its EVAP self-test and detects a small vapor leak (roughly 0.020 in.) in the sealed fuel-vapor system. On the CR-V the culprit hierarchy is well established: first a loose, worn, or non-OEM fuel filler cap that no longer seals its O-ring; then the canister purge valve (vent-purge solenoid) on the engine that leaks by; and finally the canister vent valve at the rear charcoal canister. Because the leak is tiny, there are no drivability effects — it is purely an emissions/monitor fault, but it will fail an OBD emissions/smog test and keep the check-engine light on.
Looking for P0442 on a different make?
View P0442 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0442 mean on Honda?▼
P0442 stands for "Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (Small Leak)." This emissions code means the evaporative emission (EVAP) control system has detected a small leak. The EVAP system seals the fuel tank and captures gasoline vapors, routing them to be burned in the engine instead of escaping into the air, and the computer periodically pressure- or vacuum-tests the system to confirm it's sealed. A small leak the size of about a 0.040-inch hole will set this code. By far the most common and cheapest cause is a loose, damaged, or missing gas cap, so that's the first thing to check, though any cracked hose or worn seal in the system can also trigger it. On Honda specifically, this code is documented across 3 models.
What causes P0442 on Honda vehicles?▼
Common causes on Honda: Loose, damaged, or missing fuel filler cap, Worn or cracked gas cap seal, Cracked or disconnected EVAP hose or line, Faulty purge valve or vent valve, Damaged O-ring or seal at the fuel tank or filler neck. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0442 on a Honda?▼
Repair costs on Honda range from $20 to $400, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Honda models have P0442 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0442 on 3 Honda models: Accord, Civic, CR-V.