Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P0496

P0496 Powertrain · generic OBD-II

Evaporative Emission System High Purge Flow

P0496 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 29 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 3, 2026.

  • 29owner reports
  • 15car models
  • 1mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2012–2021model years

Which cars get code P0496?

Every model whose owners mentioned P0496 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 P0496 show up?

By brand

  • Ford14
  • Chevrolet10
  • Volkswagen3
  • GMC2

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Fuel/Propulsion System18 (62.1%)
  2. Engine14 (48.3%)
  3. Electrical System8 (27.6%)
  4. Power Train5 (17.2%)
  5. Vehicle Speed Control1 (3.4%)
  6. Engine And Engine Cooling1 (3.4%)

Is there a recall for P0496?

The others concern the component owners file this code under (Fuel/Propulsion System) on the same cars; they may or may not relate to the code. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Fuel Injection System Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. NHTSA campaign 25V467000 · July 11, 2025 · Affected cars

2020 Ford Escape, 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Fuel Injection System Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 22V-859 or 24V-187. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. NHTSA campaign 25V165000 · March 14, 2025 · Affected cars

2020 Ford Escape, 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Fuel Injection System Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment. NHTSA campaign 22V859000 · November 18, 2022 · Affected cars

2020 Ford Escape, 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Fuel Injection System: Injectors Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The long fuel injectors may have been assembled without filters. NHTSA campaign 22V245000 · April 13, 2022 · Affected cars

2021 Volkswagen Atlas, 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump: Control/Drive Module Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles. The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall. NHTSA campaign 21V625000 · August 10, 2021 · Affected cars

2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Storage Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines and 19 gallon fuel tanks. The fuel tank inlet check valve may not be fully welded to the fuel tank shell. NHTSA campaign 20V730000 · November 24, 2020 · Affected cars

2020 Ford Explorer. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Over time, the protective sleeve on the vapor fuel line may chafe through the plastic liquid fuel line and cause a fuel leak. NHTSA campaign 19V859000 · December 4, 2019 · Affected cars

2020 Ford Explorer. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Storage: Tank Assembly: Mounting General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured August 2, 2013, through August 12, 2013. Due to insufficient welds, the front fuel tank strap bracket may separate from the vehicle. NHTSA campaign 13V464000 · September 26, 2013 · Affected cars

2013 Chevrolet Sonic. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

What happened when owners saw P0496?

10 of the 29 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.

Code : P0496 Evap omission system high purge flow code Not clear what has caused issue but car is never over filled with fuel When car is fueled and turned back on sputters and struggles to run properly It often needs to be turned off and turned back on Have been told this is a common issue with the make and model of the car
2015 Chevrolet TraverseFuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11732272 · Apr 19, 2026
After realizing that my issue is not isolated; I decided to report it. I have a 2018 Ford Escape SE with a 1.5L ecoboost engine. From day one, the car had a "ticking" sound - which we were told was normal. Originally, it was leased. Due to Pandemic, there was a shortage of cars. Lease was extended 4 months x 2. Repair facilities not open during most of Pandemic/ we were not working/ so the car was driven about 5 miles/ week. Maintenance has always been kept up/ oil checked. Normal use pattern/ at/ less than 10 - 15 miles per day. Repeated problems with the engine light on. Immediate service. Each time, blame placed on a sensor or valve (more than once)/ hundreds of dollars in repairs. 8/2025…
2018 Ford EscapeEngineNHTSA complaint 11720237 · Feb 24, 2026
My light engine comes on a few times. First it was the coolant, then the engine light came off. The next is when I was fueling my gas tank. I try to start it, it won’t turn on all the way. Third time it has happen. Went to ford they want to charge almost $900 just to fixed the vehicle. It had a recall in 2020. Bought the car used at Crain in Fayetteville Arkansas. They fix the belt and fuel pump. After they got it fixed I’ve been having the light engine comes on constantly. Now I’m stuck with no vehicle because I don’t feel safe driving it. 12/15/2025 the first engine light came on. For a coolant, then 1/24/2026 light came back on. For another coolant code, they check it and they said my…
2020 Ford EcosportEngine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11728678 · Apr 1, 2026
Purge flow valve had replaced by Ford Service on 10/5/24. Car wouldn’t start after getting gas. Check engine light came on. Code was Po496. Currently, upon acceleration @15-20 mph car starts jerking, buck, slipping, very hard to go hill. Took to Ford Service for diagnostic on 10/15/24. Told torque converter shuddering on PIDS. Recommend replacing torque converter @ a cost of $5200. Per, reviewing many complaints on this same model & yr many haven’t had success with just replacing torque converter. It doesn’t fix issue. Transmission had to be replaced. Ford does have a TSB 21-2389 that supersedes TSB 21-2081 out. It states cars with 8F35 transmission may have this issue due to the software in…
2019 Ford EdgePower Train, EngineNHTSA complaint 11623824 · Nov 6, 2024
The car stalls and turns off when operating at a slow speed, both in forward or reverse. This is a serious and potentially deadly problem. With my two young children in the car, I was turning left across three lanes of oncoming traffic. When I began to accelerate, my car stalled in the middle of the first lane. I had to figure out what happened, put it in park, restart the car and finish my turn before being hit by oncoming traffic. This has happened 2-3 times each day since this started last week. This has nothing to do with Eco mode or automatic start/stop feature. I am familiar with both of those and disengage them when I start the car. The car has approx 28k miles and is well maintained…
2021 Volkswagen AtlasVehicle Speed Control, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11613279 · Sep 8, 2024
Engine Control module-PO442 leak detected and PO496 Evaporated Emission System Flow during non-purge. Also, Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module -1.B1425-03 Control module power circuit. When we fill the gas tank it takes multiple times to start And Stalls While Driving, almost causing accidents. We have diagnostic report by Firestone, Advanced Auto. First believed gas cap problem when started 2020-2021?Problem has become more constant to point of us not being comfortable driving far for fear of accident or getting stuck somewhere.
2015 Chevrolet ColoradoElectrical System, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11636509 · Jan 17, 2025
The component is the Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP) Vapor Canister Purge Valve.The internal diaphragm or solenoid of the factory-installed purge valve has worn out prematurely or became contaminated, locking it permanently into a stuck-open position.The Manifestation or (Symptoms): The stuck-open valve continuously drafts raw fuel vapor and unmetered air into the engine intake manifold. This causes an improper air-fuel mixture, resulting in:Stumbling / Failure to Start Immediately After Refueling (the engine is flooded by gas tank vapors forced in during fill-up).Rough Idling (due to a continuous vacuum leak).Illuminated Check Engine Light tracking Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)…
2020 Chevrolet ImpalaUnknown Or Other, Fuel/Propulsion SystemCrashNHTSA complaint 11744373 · Jun 16, 2026
MY 2013 CHEVY SONIC DEVELOPED TICKING SOUND SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT AT 60000 MILES. THE TICKING GOT WORSE OVER TIME AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I SCANNED THE CODES AND MULTIPLE FOUR CODES WERE FOUND. P0171, P0496, P1101, AND P2270. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT SEEMED TO BE THAT MOST CRUZE, SONIC, AND TRAX VEHICLES ALL HAD THE SAME ISSUES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD, PURGE VALVE, PCV HOSE, AND VALVE COVER. THEY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS AND THE ONLY ONE WAS THE VALVE COVER BUT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER IT OR NOT. THE BREATHER DIAPHRAGM IN THE VALVE…
2013 Chevrolet SonicPower Train, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11384224 · Dec 20, 2020
Bought 6/17/2023 with 81k miles (1.4L turbo). By ~7/1/2023 it ran rough and hesitated after refueling. Firestone (Brick, NJ, 7/5/2023 at 82,090 miles) said radiator leaking; keep topping off; noted open Chevy “special coverage” bulletin. Over ~2 years kept adding coolant (high consumption). Rough running worsened. Lester Glenn Chevy (Toms River, NJ, 10/20/2025 at 122,815 miles) replaced the evaporative emissions purge valve under special coverage N212338400; fixed post-refuel roughness but not overall rough running. Regular oil changes; last 10/1/2025 at 121,872 miles. Codes then: P0171, P0299, P0300, P0442, P0449, P0496. On 11/27/2025, at ~60 mph uphill on the Garden State Parkway, engine…
2019 Chevrolet TraxEngineNHTSA complaint 11710113 · Jan 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the infotainment screen went black or displayed a half-operating screen. An unknown warning light was illuminated with the message "Attention Needed - Service Engine Soon" displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and it was determined that Part Number: BE52 needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer where it was diagnosed, and determined that an unknown part needed to be replaced after retrieving…
2021 Ford Bronco SportElectrical System, EngineNHTSA complaint 11729950 · Apr 8, 2026

P0496: questions drivers ask

What does code P0496 mean?

P0496 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "Evaporative Emission System High Purge Flow". 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 15 car models.

Which cars get code P0496 most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, P0496 is mentioned most for the Chevrolet Traverse (6), Ford Escape (5), Ford Ecosport (4), across 15 models and model years 2012 to 2021. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code P0496?

No NHTSA recall text names P0496 directly. 8 recalls on the cars that report this code concern the same component owners name most (Fuel/Propulsion System); they may or may not relate to the code. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What should I do if my car shows P0496?

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 P0496. The definition is the generic SAE J2012 wording; a carmaker may use the code slightly differently. Nothing here is a diagnosis. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 3, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.

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