Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P0446
P0446 Powertrain · generic OBD-II
Evaporative Emission System Vent Control Circuit
P0446 is a standard code covering engine, transmission, fuel and emissions. It names the system that logged the fault, not the part that failed. Below: which cars owners reported it on, what happened, and recalls on those cars, from 3 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 9, 2026.
- 3owner reports
- 3car models
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention a fire
- 2019–2021model years
Which cars get code P0446?
Every model whose owners mentioned P0446 in a complaint, most reports first. Each year opens that car's full problem report. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.
Where does P0446 show up?
By brand
- Volkswagen1
- BMW1
- Ford1
Component the owner filed it under
Is there a recall for P0446?
As of November 9, 2026, no NHTSA recall on the cars reporting P0446 names this code or its most-reported component. Recalls can be issued at any time: check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What happened when owners saw P0446?
3 of the 3 reports, spread across the models above, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated that upon refueling the vehicle and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start on several occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where DTC: P0172 and P0446 were retrieved. The contact related the failure to BMW TSB Number: SIB 01 02 24. An independent mechanic advised the contact to only fill the fuel tank to half full. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The…
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact used a vehicle scanner to scan the vehicle. The contact retrieved DTC: P0446 (Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP) vent control circuit malfunction). Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system was frozen and was inoperable, and there was rust underneath the hood because the vehicle was not equipped with a hood shroud. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the…
My vehicle has been to the dealership multiple times for incorrectly stalling, revving RPMS at uphill turns and rough idling with no corrective action taken. initial issues started around 30k miles and the dealership continued to tell me nothing is wrong because engine light was not on. I recently went over a speed bump in a school zone. My vehicle stalled and my engine light came on. Initial code was P0446 error code indicates an evaporative emission control system (EVAP) vent control circuit malfunction. The N80 purge valve and charcoal canister were to blame for this uneasy safety issue. I was told at the dealership that my charcoal canister might malfunction if i overfill my vehicle with…
P0446: questions drivers ask
What does code P0446 mean?
P0446 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "Evaporative Emission System Vent Control Circuit". The code tells you which system set the fault, not which part failed; the owner reports on this page show what it meant in practice for 3 car models.
Which cars get code P0446 most often?
In NHTSA owner complaints, P0446 is mentioned most for the BMW X3 (1), Ford Edge (1), Volkswagen Atlas (1), across 3 models and model years 2019 to 2021. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.
Is there a recall for code P0446?
As of November 2026, no NHTSA recall on the cars reporting P0446 names this code or its most-reported component. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What should I do if my car shows P0446?
Write down when the code appeared and what the car did (warning lights, loss of power, noises, speed, weather). Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer or independent workshop to read the stored freeze-frame data before anyone clears the code, and keep the repair order. If the car loses power in traffic, stop driving it. CarHooq does not diagnose: these are owner reports and official recall notices, not repair advice.
How this page was made
CarHooq read the text of every owner complaint filed with NHTSA for 19 US and European brands (model years 2012 onwards) and picked out the diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote down. This page lists every mention of P0446. The definition is the generic SAE J2012 wording; a carmaker may use the code slightly differently. Nothing here is a diagnosis. More answers: the fault code FAQ. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 9, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.
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