P0087 fault code: what it means

P0087: Fuel rail or system pressure is lower than the engine computer wants. Common on common-rail diesels and direct-injection petrols.

Engine and gearbox (powertrain) · Costly if missed

Usual causes, most likely first

blocked fuel filter
weak high-pressure or in-tank fuel pump
faulty fuel pressure regulator or metering valve
air in the fuel or a fuel leak

P0087 by make

Audi

Fuel rail pressure lower than the engine computer asked for. On 2.0 FSI/TFSI petrol the worn cam follower is a known cause; on TDI start with the fuel filter.

Usual causes: weak in-tank lift pump or blocked/wrong fuel filter; worn high-pressure pump cam follower and cam lobe (2.0 FSI/TFSI); low-pressure fuel sensor (G410) or wiring; high-pressure fuel pump failure

BMW

Fuel rail pressure too low. On N54 / N55 direct injection the HPFP gets the blame, but leaking injectors and the in-tank low pressure pump are more often the cause. Limp mode likely.

Usual causes: low pressure (in-tank) fuel pump weak; leaking injectors (N54 / N55 piezo); high pressure fuel pump (known N54 failure, recall); rail pressure sensor fault

Ford

Fuel rail pressure too low. On Ranger/Everest 3.2 and 2.2 diesels this is one of the most common codes, often with loss of power or limp mode.

Usual causes: blocked diesel fuel filter; weak lift pump or air in the fuel; worn suction control valve on the high-pressure pump; fuel rail pressure sensor

GWM

Fuel rail pressure too low on the GW4D20 2.0 turbo diesel (Steed, Cannon). Limp mode or stalling.

Usual causes: blocked fuel filter or water in fuel; air leak in fuel supply; fuel metering valve on the pump; worn high-pressure pump

Holden

Fuel rail pressure too low, seen on 2009-2013 Commodore 3.6 V6. Can give hesitation, low power or hard starting.

Usual causes: weak in-tank fuel pump; blocked fuel filter; high-pressure fuel pump on the direct-injection V6; fuel pressure sensor

Hyundai

Fuel rail pressure too low. On Hyundai GDI petrols usually the cam-driven high-pressure pump; on CRDi diesels check the supply side first.

Usual causes: worn high-pressure fuel pump and its roller tappet/cam follower (GDI); blocked fuel filter or weak in-tank pump; faulty rail pressure sensor or regulator

Isuzu

Fuel rail pressure too low. On D-Max/MU-X 4JJ1 and 4JJ3 a very common limp-mode code, usually fuel supply or the suction control valve (SCV) on the pump.

Usual causes: blocked fuel filter or water in fuel; sticking suction control valve (SCV) on the supply pump; air leak in fuel supply; worn high-pressure supply pump

Jeep

Fuel rail pressure too low on 3.0 CRD/2.8 CRD diesels.

Usual causes: blocked diesel fuel filter; air in fuel supply; weak high-pressure pump; fuel pressure regulator

Kia

Fuel rail pressure too low. GDI petrols: high-pressure pump; CRDi diesels: supply side, filter or pressure control.

Usual causes: worn high-pressure fuel pump or cam follower (GDI); blocked fuel filter or weak lift/in-tank pump; faulty rail pressure sensor or pressure control valve; air in fuel or running low on fuel

Land Rover

Fuel rail pressure too low. Engine may lose power, go into limp mode or not start.

Usual causes: blocked fuel filter; weak in-tank lift pump; air leak in fuel supply; worn high-pressure pump

LDV

Fuel rail pressure too low on LDV T60/D90/Deliver 9 diesels (VM-designed 2.8 and SAIC 2.0). Limp mode or stalling.

Usual causes: blocked fuel filter or water in fuel; air leak in fuel supply; fuel metering valve on the pump; worn high-pressure pump

Mazda

SkyActiv-D: common rail fuel pressure too low. Engine may go into limp mode or not start.

Usual causes: blocked fuel filter; suction control valve on the supply pump; fuel leak or loose fuel pipe; supply (high-pressure) pump or rail pressure sensor

Mercedes-Benz

Fuel rail pressure too low (diesel). Engine may lose power or cut out.

Usual causes: clogged fuel filter; low-pressure supply fault; worn high-pressure pump (OM642 CP3); leaking injectors or pressure regulator

Mini

Fuel rail pressure too low. On the turbo Cooper S (N14 / N18) the high pressure fuel pump has had recalls and extended warranty; leaking injectors and the in-tank pump are also suspects.

Usual causes: high pressure fuel pump (N14 / N18); low pressure in-tank fuel pump weak; leaking injector; rail pressure sensor

Mitsubishi

Common-rail fuel pressure too low (4N15 / 4D56 Triton, Pajero Sport, Challenger). Often loss of power or limp mode.

Usual causes: blocked fuel filter; worn or sticking suction control valve (SCV) on the pump; injector leaking back too much fuel; worn high-pressure pump

Nissan

Diesel fuel rail pressure too low. On YD25 usually a fuel supply or suction control valve (SCV) problem; causes power loss.

Usual causes: suction control valve (SCV) fault; air getting into the fuel system / blocked fuel filter; rail pressure relief valve leaking; high pressure pump wear

Skoda

Fuel rail pressure lower than the engine computer asked for. On 2.0 FSI/TFSI petrol the worn cam follower is a known cause; on TDI start with the fuel filter.

Subaru

Fuel rail pressure too low on direct-injected FA20DIT/FA24 (WRX, Forester XT, Levorg, BRZ). Can cause stalling and limp mode.

Usual causes: failing high-pressure fuel pump; weak in-tank low-pressure fuel pump (check for recall work); outdated engine software; blocked fuel filter or rail pressure sensor fault

Toyota

Diesel common-rail pressure too low (D-4D). The ECM cuts power to protect the engine.

Usual causes: blocked fuel filter; faulty suction control valve (SCV) on the supply pump; air in fuel or low fuel; worn supply pump or leaking injectors

Volkswagen

Fuel rail pressure lower than the engine computer asked for. On 2.0 FSI/TFSI petrol the worn cam follower is a known cause; on TDI start with the fuel filter.

Volvo

Fuel rail pressure too low (diesel).

Usual causes: blocked fuel filter; air in fuel supply; weak high-pressure pump; fuel pressure regulator

What the repair usually costs

CVT valve body replacement (remanufactured, in car)NZ$1,280–NZ$2,420 · A$1,200–A$2,400
A/C compressor replace incl. drier and flush (European)NZ$1,560–NZ$3,200 · A$1,490–A$3,050
Parking sensor replace, one sensorNZ$130–NZ$520 · A$130–A$510
Direct-injection petrol injectors (set)NZ$1,490–NZ$3,850 · A$1,350–A$3,520

Not sure what P0087 means on your car? Ask Credov.

Before you clear it

Write the code down or photograph the scanner first. A code that comes straight back after clearing points to a fault that is still there. A car whose codes were cleared just before you arrived may be hiding one: the scanner's readiness monitors show "not ready" for a while after codes are cleared.

Researched by Credov from manufacturer and workshop sources. A fault code points to where a fault may be; a workshop confirms it with a diagnosis. Browse all fault codes.