Fuel and air

P0087 — Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low

Severity: high Drive with care, to a shop

What P0087 means

The engine control unit compares actual fuel rail pressure, read by the rail pressure sensor, with the pressure it is commanding. If the actual pressure stays well below target, it sets P0087. The engine is then starved of fuel, especially under load, and on direct-injection engines the high-pressure pump may be involved.

Symptoms

  • Check Engine light on
  • Loss of power and sluggish acceleration
  • Misfires or rough running
  • Stalling at idle or under load
  • Long cranking or no start
  • Whining from the fuel tank area
  • Limp mode

Possible causes

  1. Weak or worn fuel pump (low- or high-pressure)
  2. Clogged fuel filter
  3. Faulty fuel pressure sensor
  4. Fuel line leak or restriction
  5. Failed pressure regulator or metering valve
  6. Pump power or control fault: relay, fuse, driver module, corroded connectors
  7. Low fuel level or poor fuel quality

How to diagnose

  1. Scan all codes and freeze-frame data and look for related sensor or lean-condition codes.
  2. Check fuel level and quality, and inspect lines and fittings for leaks or kinks.
  3. Check the pump fuse, relay, connectors and wiring for corrosion and bad grounds.
  4. Listen for the pump at key-on and measure the voltage supplied to it.
  5. Measure actual fuel pressure with a gauge and compare it to specification.
  6. Compare the scan-tool sensor reading to the gauge to rule out a bad sensor.
  7. Check the filter condition and pump volume delivery.
  8. On direct injection, test the high-pressure pump and its control valve.

Common fixes

  • Replace the fuel filter
  • Replace the fuel pump or high-pressure pump
  • Repair leaks and replace damaged fuel lines or fittings
  • Replace the fuel pressure sensor or regulator
  • Repair wiring, relay or the pump driver module

P0087 on different brands

Ford · manuals
On Ford, P0087:00 means the monitor detected fuel rail pressure too low; it describes the detected condition rather than confirming a specific failed part.

Questions and answers

Can I drive with P0087?

It's best to avoid it. The engine may lose power or stall at any time, so limit driving to a short trip to a shop.

What most often causes P0087?

Usually a clogged fuel filter or a weak fuel pump. A bad pressure sensor, line leaks or pump power problems are also common.

Can I just clear the code?

Clearing it won't fix the cause and the code will return. Measure actual fuel pressure first to find the fault.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.