P0457 on Dodge

The Dodge Challenger's evaporative emissions (EVAP) leak-detection device — the Evaporative System Integrity Module/Monitor (ESIM), the successor to Chrysler's older NVLD (Natural Vacuum Leak Detection) pump — is a very common failure point across the LX/LA platform (2008-2023). The ESIM is a mechanical, non-solenoid device (housing, two check valves/weights, a diaphragm, and a switch) bolted to the charcoal canister behind the rear passenger fender-well liner. It performs an engine-off non-intrusive test for small leaks and an engine-running test for medium/large leaks, and the PCM relies on it for ALL EVAP leak diagnostics. When the ESIM's diaphragm or switch fails, the PCM falsely concludes the sealed EVAP system is leaking and sets P0456 (small leak), P0455 (large leak), or a generic P0440, illuminating the check-engine light. Because the code description points to a leak, the part is repeatedly misdiagnosed: owners and shops replace the gas cap (sometimes multiple times), get a clean smoke test showing no actual leak, yet the code returns. Multiple forum threads document owners chasing this for months — replacing the gas cap, then the purge/canister valve — before the ESIM ("vapor leak detection pump") is finally identified as the real fault. One owner reported spending roughly $2,500 over repeated visits before the issue was resolved. In some cases the leak-detection pump was simply found unplugged behind the wheel-well liner.

A very common and frequently misdiagnosed problem on the Dodge Charger is failure of the EVAP (evaporative emissions) leak-detection device, which causes the PCM to log P0456 (small EVAP leak), P0455 (large EVAP leak), and/or P0457 (leak detected / fuel cap loose) and illuminate the check-engine light. On 2011-and-newer Chargers the system uses an ESIM (Evaporative System Integrity Module) — a natural-vacuum-based switch (the same NVLD-style monitoring concept) mounted directly on the charcoal/EVAP canister behind the passenger-side rear wheel well. With the EVAP system sealed, the PCM watches the ESIM/NVLD switch; if the switch's internal mechanical diaphragm fails or its external O-ring seal degrades, the switch fails to close within the calibrated time and the PCM falsely reports an EVAP leak. The classic giveaway is that a smoke test shows NO actual leak yet the code keeps returning. Because the code is almost always assumed to be a loose or failed gas cap, owners (and shops) often chase the wrong part first — replacing the gas cap and purge valve before discovering the real culprit is the inexpensive ESIM module. The code is low-severity (no driveability or engine damage, only a slight fuel-economy effect) but will fail an emissions/smog test and leaves the CEL on. In a worst-case escalation, the same codes can be caused by a pinhole leak on top of the fuel tank near a fuel-pump lock ring, which requires fuel-tank replacement. On 2022+ cars, Mopar TSB 18-094-23 addresses an over-sensitive EVAP monitor that can falsely set P0455/P0456/P0440/P0441 and is corrected with a PCM software update rather than a part.