P0442 OBD-II code — what it means and what to check

ℹ Guidance only — not a substitute for inspection

Enter the trouble codes from your scanner to see what each one means, how urgent it is, and which checks to do first.

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Your trouble codes

Enter the codes exactly as your scanner shows them. Separate several codes with spaces or commas.

A letter followed by four characters, for example P0301. Up to ten codes at a time.
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Your codes, interpreted

What this means
ℹ Low urgency. The codes you entered describe faults that usually affect emissions rather than how the vehicle drives.
What to doNo stop-driving condition was identified from the codes you entered. That is not the same as an inspection: only a physical check can tell you the vehicle is sound.

Your codes

  1. P0442 — Emissions control (monitor). A small leak has been detected in the evaporative emissions system, which contains fuel vapour. This affects emissions, not how the vehicle drives.

Checks to do first, in order

  1. Check the fuel filler cap first — a loose, worn or aftermarket cap causes a large share of these.
  2. Inspect the EVAP hoses and the canister for cracks.
  3. Have a smoke test done if the cap and visible hoses are good.

Codes this tool cannot interpret

How this result was reached
  • Interpretations cover standardised codes only, and describe what a code means rather than what is wrong with your specific vehicle.
  • A stored code identifies the circuit or system reporting a fault. It does not identify the failed part — a sensor commonly reports a problem it did not cause.
  • Reviewed by Project Owner on 2026-08-26.
  • This tool covers a reviewed subset of standardised codes. A code it does not recognise is reported as undocumented rather than guessed at.