P0455 on Volvo: How to Diagnose & Fix
Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (Gross Leak)
2 Volvo models · 2 documented issues · 2 critical
P0455 on Volvo by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
If you own a 2001-2004 V70 wagon that was sold or registered in one of the warm-weather states, it may fall under Volvo safety recall 09V483000. The defect is in the fuel pump flange: over time, hot climate and repeated temperature cycling, together with varying fuel quality, can cause cracks to form in the flange. Fuel then escapes, and Volvo warned that owners may notice a fuel smell and/or a fuel leak. The risk that made this a safety recall rather than a service action is fire - leaking fuel near an ignition source could ignite. The affected states were Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia, along with the U.S. territories. Across every Volvo model in the campaign, 158,733 vehicles were covered in total.
Common Symptoms
- Fuel odor
- Fuel leaking from the vehicle
How to Fix
Volvo dealers perform this work free of charge: they inspect the fuel pump installed in the V70 and, where required, replace it with a pump of a modified design that resists the flange cracking. Owner notification started January 15, 2010, but the remedy is tied to the VIN rather than a deadline, so enter your V70's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether the recall is still outstanding on your car. Volvo's owner line for this campaign is 1-800-458-1552.
Sources for this issue (1)
Volvo recalled 2001-2004 S60 sedans sold or registered in hot-climate states as part of NHTSA campaign 09V483000. On affected cars, long-term exposure to hot climate and repeated temperature cycling, combined with varying fuel quality, can cause the fuel pump flange to develop cracks. A cracked flange lets fuel escape, so the first thing an S60 owner typically notices is a smell of gasoline or a visible fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, leaking fuel could result in a fire. The recall applied to S60s in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia, plus the U.S. territories. The campaign as a whole covered 158,733 vehicles across all the Volvo models included, not the S60 alone.
Common Symptoms
- Smell of fuel around or inside the car
- Visible fuel leak
How to Fix
The repair is free at any Volvo dealer. The dealer inspects the fuel pump fitted to the car and, if it is one of the affected pumps, replaces it with a fuel pump of a modified design. The recall began January 15, 2010. Because coverage depended on where a car was originally sold or registered, and because a used S60 may have moved states since, check the specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this campaign is still open on your car. Volvo can also be reached at 1-800-458-1552.
Sources for this issue (1)
P0455 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0455 mean on a Volvo?
P0455 stands for "Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (Gross Leak)." This code means your car's evaporative emission (EVAP) system has detected a large (gross) leak, so fuel vapors that should be sealed inside the fuel and vapor system are escaping into the atmosphere. The EVAP system captures gasoline vapors from the tank and routes them to the engine to be burned instead of polluting the air, and the computer periodically pressure- or vacuum-tests this sealed system. A gross leak almost always points to something obvious and easy, like a loose, missing, or bad gas cap, rather than a deep mechanical failure. It rarely affects how the car drives, but it should be fixed to pass emissions and stop wasting fuel vapor. On Volvo it is documented across 2 models: V70, S60.
What are the most common causes of P0455?
The most common causes of P0455 are: Loose, missing, or improperly tightened gas cap, Worn, cracked, or failed gas cap seal, Cracked or disconnected EVAP/vapor hose, Damaged or missing fuel filler neck seal, Faulty EVAP purge valve stuck open, Failed EVAP vent valve, Cracked or damaged charcoal canister. The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0455 on a Volvo?
Repair costs vary widely with the root cause and Volvo model; each issue on this page carries its own estimate where one is published.
Looking for P0455 on a different make?
View P0455 across all makes →Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.