Trouble codes › P0087

P0087 Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low

Fuel and air

P0087 means fuel rail pressure is lower than the engine computer commanded, from a weak pump, clogged filter or failing high-pressure pump.

The engine computer measures fuel pressure in the fuel rail and it's lower than commanded. It's common on direct-injection gas engines and diesels, which run very high rail pressure.

Can I keep driving? Yes, but get it fixed soon.

The engine may lose power, hesitate or stall, especially under load. Avoid heavy loads and towing, and get it checked soon.

Common causes

  1. A clogged fuel filter
  2. A weak in-tank fuel pump or its wiring
  3. A failing high-pressure fuel pump (direct injection or diesel)
  4. A faulty fuel rail pressure sensor
  5. A restricted fuel line or a pressure regulator problem
  6. Running very low on fuel or contaminated fuel

Symptoms

  • Loss of power, especially under load
  • Hesitation or stalling
  • Hard starting or long cranking

What to check first

  1. Make sure there's enough fuel in the tank, and replace the fuel filter if it's due.
  2. With a scan tool, compare desired and actual rail pressure at idle and under load.
  3. Check the in-tank (low-pressure) pump's pressure and volume before blaming the high-pressure pump.
  4. Look for service bulletins: several direct-injection and diesel engines have known pump or sensor issues.

What does P0087 mean on your vehicle?

The likely cause depends on your engine. iRepair researches your exact year, make, model and engine (service bulletins, recalls and owner reports) and tells you what to check first. Your first 3 questions are free.

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Related codes

General guidance for P0087 on most vehicles. Some makers use the same code a little differently; confirm in the service information for your vehicle, put safety first, and see a professional when in doubt.