On common-rail diesel and gasoline direct-injection engines, a high-pressure pump feeds the fuel rail, a sensor measures rail pressure, and the engine control module regulates it towards a target from its maps. P0087 is set when the actual pressure stays below the target by more than a threshold for some time. It is a system code: it does not say which component is at fault. Typical causes are a weak low-pressure supply, a worn high-pressure pump, a sticking control valve, a leak or a drifting pressure sensor; the engine usually goes into reduced power.
High severity. Can I keep driving?Do not rely on the car on the road: it may go into limp mode or shut off during acceleration or passing. If you smell fuel, do not start the engine; if there is hard jerking or a major loss of power, stop in a safe place and call for roadside assistance.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Loss of power or reduced power mode
- Hard starting or stalling
- Jerking under load
Most likely causes
- Low-pressure supply too weak: lift pump, clogged filter, low tank level or waxing
- High-pressure pump worn
- Pressure control or metering valve sticking
- High-pressure leak or excessive injector return flow
- Rail pressure sensor drifting
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: hard
- It can trigger limp mode.
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P0087 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 0: Subsystem depends on the code range
- 87: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0087?
Do not rely on the car on the road: it may go into limp mode or shut off during acceleration or passing. If you smell fuel, do not start the engine; if there is hard jerking or a major loss of power, stop in a safe place and call for roadside assistance.
What causes code P0087?
The most common causes are: low-pressure supply too weak: lift pump, clogged filter, low tank level or waxing; high-pressure pump worn; pressure control or metering valve sticking.
Related codes
- P0088Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too High
- P0089Fuel Pressure Regulator A Performance
- P0090Fuel Pressure Regulator A Control Circuit/Open
- P0093Fuel System Leak Detected - Large Leak
- P008ALow Pressure Fuel System Pressure - Too Low
- P0190Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor A Circuit
- P0001Fuel Volume Regulator A Control Circuit/Open
Sources
- law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
- newtonnet.co.uk: fordobd2012
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 2001file9
- saabwisonline.com: dtc p0087 p0088 or p0089
Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.