P0456 on FORD ESCAPE — EVAP System Leak Detected (very small leak)

Q: "What does P0456 mean on a FORD ESCAPE?"

"P0456 indicates: EVAP System Leak Detected (very small leak). This is a emission controls code. 10 FORD ESCAPE owners have reported this to NHTSA."

Q: "What are the most common causes of P0456 on FORD ESCAPE?"

"Based on 10 NHTSA reports, the most commonly cited components are: Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine, Vehicle Speed Control. These percentages are based on the component field in owner complaints."

Q: "Is P0456 a safety concern on FORD ESCAPE?"

"Of 10 NHTSA reports for P0456 on FORD ESCAPE, 1 involved a crash. Always consult a qualified mechanic for any diagnostic trouble code."

Q: "What should I do if my FORD ESCAPE shows P0456?"

"1) Check for recalls on your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2) Get a professional diagnosis — a code alone doesn't identify the exact failed part. 3) Get 2-3 repair estimates to compare."

What P0456 Means on Your FORD ESCAPE

P0456 is a diagnostic trouble code indicating: EVAP System Leak Detected (very small leak). This code relates to the emission controls system. The vehicle's computer detected a condition outside normal operating parameters and stored this code.

10 FORD ESCAPE owners have reported this issue to NHTSA across model years 2010-2020. Most reports come from the 2017, 2018 model years.

Real FORD ESCAPE Owner Reports

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

"I recently had an incident on 8/28/13 with a fuel vapor leak. it was fixed on 9/6/13. as of 9/17/13 the same issue happened again.. apparently this is a common problem that ford knows about and have not fixed."

— 2010 FORD ESCAPE owner · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Filed 09/17/2013

"While merging onto the interstate the the car suddenly began to accelerate at full throttle. temp ~30 deg, road - dry pavement odometer: 110367.0 miles. the throttle body was replaced in september 2015 by the ford dealer, as well as a new exhaust system at the same time."

— 2011 FORD ESCAPE owner · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · Filed 03/04/2016

"Check engine light on when driving and when parked and engine running and smell of raw gas fumes near left rear wheel area. shop tested found code p0456 traced to cracked and leaking electric fuel pump. replaced pump now ok ."

— 2012 FORD ESCAPE owner · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · Filed 05/24/2019

"Takata recall my vehicle had endless issues and problems. i would drive a mile or so to gas station, turn off car, get gas and then the car wouldn't start or drive 15 miles, do a job, 30 minutes later get in and the car wouldn't start."

— 2013 FORD ESCAPE owner · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · Filed 02/11/2017 ⚠️ Crash reported

"The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled after coming to a stop. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. Additionally, the vehicle stalled after refueling."

— 2014 FORD ESCAPE owner · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Filed 10/01/2022

All reports filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

📊 Complaint Trend by Model Year

1

'10

1

'11

1

'12

1

'13

1

'14

2

'17

2

'18

1

'20

Common Causes on FORD ESCAPE

Based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 30%

ENGINE 20%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10%

What To Do Next

1
Check for recalls on YOUR VIN
Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. If your vehicle is covered, repairs are free.
2
Get a proper diagnosis
A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50–$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.
3
Compare repair quotes
Get 2–3 quotes. Dealer vs. independent shop prices often differ 30–50% for the same repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does P0456 mean on a FORD ESCAPE? ▾

P0456 indicates: EVAP System Leak Detected (very small leak). This is a emission controls code. 10 FORD ESCAPE owners have reported this to NHTSA.

What are the most common causes of P0456 on FORD ESCAPE? ▾

Based on 10 NHTSA reports, the most commonly cited components are: Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine, Vehicle Speed Control. These percentages are based on the component field in owner complaints.

Is P0456 a safety concern on FORD ESCAPE? ▾

Of 10 NHTSA reports for P0456 on FORD ESCAPE, 1 involved a crash. Always consult a qualified mechanic for any diagnostic trouble code.

What should I do if my FORD ESCAPE shows P0456? ▾

1) Check for recalls on your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2) Get a professional diagnosis — a code alone doesn't identify the exact failed part. 3) Get 2-3 repair estimates to compare.