The Lemon IndexToo much fuel vapor is being pulled into the engine, often from a purge valve stuck open.
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
Purge valve stuck open. Then: wiring fault.
Owners named P0496 in 28 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Chevrolet Traverse.
Cars owners report it on
Complaints that name P0496, by model. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Years owners report it on most: 2021 Volkswagen Atlas · 2019 Ford Escape · 2018 Ford EcoSport · 2018 Buick Enclave · 2020 Ford EcoSport
The details
What P0496 means
Too much fuel vapor is being pulled into the engine, often from a purge valve stuck open. It can cause hard starts after fueling.
Can I drive with P0496?
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
29% of the owner complaints that name P0496 also say the car stalls or shuts off. A complaint can describe more than one problem, so this doesn't prove the code caused it.
Common causes of P0496
- Purge valve stuck open
- Wiring fault
A shop should confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
What owners describe
- Stalls or shuts off: 29% of complaints
- Loses power or goes into limp mode: 21% of complaints
- Shakes, runs rough or misfires: 21% of complaints
- Warning lights and electrical faults: 11% of complaints
Share of complaints naming the code whose text also mentions each problem.
Model years that report P0496 most
2021 Volkswagen Atlas (3), 2019 Ford Escape (2), 2018 Ford EcoSport (2), 2018 Buick Enclave (2), 2020 Ford EcoSport (2).
Related codes
P0491 P0464 P0463 P0462 P0461 P0460 P0457 P0456
Quick answers
What does P0496 mean?
Evaporative Emission System High Purge Flow. Too much fuel vapor is being pulled into the engine, often from a purge valve stuck open. It can cause hard starts after fueling.
Can I drive with P0496?
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
What causes P0496?
Purge valve stuck open; Wiring fault.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text names P0496. A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis. Meanings: the standard SAE J2012 definitions in our own words; manufacturer codes only where verified for that make. General information, not repair advice for your car.