P0087 on Toyota: How to Diagnose & Fix
Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low
9 Toyota models · 9 documented issues · 9 critical
P0087 on Toyota by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
Certain 2018-2020 Corollas have a low-pressure fuel pump with an impeller that can deform due to excessive fuel absorption. This can cause reduced fuel delivery, engine hesitation, and in worst cases, engine stalling while driving - creating a significant crash risk. This is a safety recall affecting multiple Toyota models.
Common Symptoms
- Engine hesitation or loss of power during acceleration
- Engine stalling while driving
- Difficulty starting the vehicle
- Check engine light illumination
How to Fix
Replace fuel pump assembly with improved part (covered under recall).
Find a Toyota dealer
Choose to share your location for this search, or enter an area below. Your search location is sent to Google to find dealers.
Open Toyota dealer map in Google Maps ↗Call to confirm they service Toyota vehicles and check your VIN, recall eligibility, parts availability, and appointment options.
Owner tips & cautions
- WarningThis is a high-severity issue - ignoring it can lead to costly repairs or safety concerns. Address it promptly.
- TipGet a proper diagnosis before replacing parts - similar symptoms can have different causes
- TipSearch Toyota Corolla forums and owner groups for real-world experiences and DIY guides
- TipGet multiple quotes from independent mechanics - dealer prices can be 2-3x higher for the same repair
Sources for this issue (4)
- NHTSA: Toyota Motor North America 20V-012 Denso Fuel Pump Recallnhtsa
- Toyota Pressroom: Toyota Recalls Certain Toyota and Lexus Vehiclesmanufacturer
- ClassAction.org: Jan. 2020 Toyota Lexus Denso Fuel Pump Recall Left Out 2018-2019 Vehiclesmedia
- Torque News: Toyota Adds Vehicles to Massive Fuel Pump Recallmedia
The in-tank low-pressure fuel pump in the C-HR can fail due to a defective impeller that deforms and contacts the pump housing. This causes reduced fuel delivery, resulting in rough running, hesitation, and potential engine stall. Toyota issued a recall (21V-251) for a related fuel pump issue affecting multiple models including the C-HR.
Common Symptoms
- Engine hesitation during acceleration
- Engine stall at idle or low speed
- Long crank time before starting
- Check engine light with fuel system codes
- Loss of power at highway speeds
How to Fix
Check recall status with your VIN at toyota.com/recall. Affected vehicles receive a free fuel pump replacement at any Toyota dealer. If out of recall coverage, replace the fuel pump module assembly. Use only OEM or Denso replacement pumps.
Owner tips & cautions
- WarningThis is a safety recall - the engine can stall without warning at any speed. Check recall status immediately.
Sources for this issue (1)
Certain Highlanders are part of Toyota's large Denso low-pressure fuel pump recall (NHTSA 20V-012). The pump's resin impeller can absorb fuel, swell, and crack, causing the pump to seize. This leads to rough running, hard starting, and engine stalling — potentially at speed and without warning — creating a crash risk. The defect spans many Toyota/Lexus models; the Highlander was specifically named in the campaign.
Common Symptoms
- Engine stalls while driving, sometimes at speed
- Long crank / hard starting
- Rough idle or hesitation
- Illuminated check engine light
- Engine fails to restart after stalling
- Fuel system warning indicators
How to Fix
Under recall 20V-012 (and related expansions), Toyota dealers replace the low-pressure fuel pump assembly with an improved-impeller unit free of charge. Owners should run their VIN at nhtsa.gov or contact Toyota; vehicles showing stalling/hard-start symptoms before the pump is replaced should be inspected promptly.
Find a Toyota dealer
Choose to share your location for this search, or enter an area below. Your search location is sent to Google to find dealers.
Open Toyota dealer map in Google Maps ↗Call to confirm they service Toyota vehicles and check your VIN, recall eligibility, parts availability, and appointment options.
Sources for this issue (3)
Certain later second-generation Tacomas were included in Toyota's large Denso low-pressure fuel pump recall. The impeller can deform, causing the pump to seize or lose output, which may lead to hard starting, rough running, stalling, or a complete no-start. Because the engine can stall while driving, this is a significant drivability and safety issue.
Common Symptoms
- extended cranking
- no-start
- engine stalls while driving
- hesitation on acceleration
- rough idle
How to Fix
Confirm recall eligibility by VIN first, since many trucks were repaired under Toyota's campaign. If symptoms persist or the truck is outside campaign coverage, fuel pressure testing and pump current checks can confirm a weak or failed in-tank pump. Replacement of the pump module or pump motor with the updated part is the standard repair.
Owner tips & cautions
- TipRun the VIN through Toyota's recall lookup before paying out of pocket, since many affected trucks qualify for free pump replacement.
- TipIf the truck intermittently cranks but will not start, check actual fuel pressure before replacing ignition parts.
The Denso-built low-pressure (in-tank) fuel pump can fail without warning. The pump impeller was molded from a lower-density resin that absorbs fuel over time, swells, and binds against the pump housing, stopping the pump. This cuts fuel delivery and causes the engine to stall, often at speed. It was covered under NHTSA recall 20V-682 (Toyota 20TA02), an expansion of 20V-012, affecting roughly 2017-2020 Siennas alongside many other Toyota/Lexus models.
Common Symptoms
- Engine stalls or dies while driving, sometimes at highway speed
- Long crank / hard start, especially when warm
- Rough running, sputtering, or hesitation before stalling
- Check engine light with lean or fuel-trim codes in some cases
- Whining or no sound from fuel tank at key-on
How to Fix
Have the vehicle checked against recall 20V-682/20TA02 at any Toyota dealer; the remedy is free replacement of the fuel pump assembly with the redesigned (higher-density impeller) unit. Owners of unrepaired vehicles experiencing hard starts, rough running, or a sudden stall with no DTC for misfire should suspect the pump. Replacement of the full fuel pump/sender assembly out of warranty runs roughly $600-$1,000.
Sources for this issue (3)
Tundras built with certain Denso low-pressure (in-tank) fuel pumps have a defectively designed plastic impeller that can absorb fuel, swell/deform, and strike the pump housing — causing the pump to seize. The result is hard starting, rough running, illuminated warning lights, and engine stalling, including potentially at speed, which is a crash risk. Toyota recalled millions of Toyota/Lexus vehicles (pump part numbers beginning 23220/23221) starting January 2020 and expanded it repeatedly; affected Tundra model years fall within the 2014-2020 range. A class-action settlement created a Customer Support Program extending coverage to 15 years from original sale for fuel-pump repairs.
Common Symptoms
- Engine stalls while driving or at idle
- Long crank / hard starting
- Rough running or hesitation
- Check engine light
- Whining or no fuel-pump prime noise
- Fuel-related warning lights
How to Fix
Covered under Toyota recall / Customer Support Program — dealer replaces the low-pressure fuel pump with an improved-impeller design at no charge. Verify the VIN on the NHTSA or Toyota recall site. Out-of-coverage replacement involves dropping or accessing the in-tank pump assembly. Reimbursement may be available for prior out-of-pocket repairs.
Sources for this issue (3)
P0087 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 P0087 mean on a Toyota?
P0087 stands for "Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low." This code means the fuel rail or fuel system pressure has dropped below the level the engine's computer expects. The computer monitors a fuel pressure sensor and has seen pressure fall too low, meaning the engine isn't getting enough fuel — especially noticeable under acceleration or load. This is most common on direct-injection and diesel systems that run very high pressures. Symptoms include hard starting, stalling, hesitation, lack of power, and possible limp mode. On Toyota it is documented across 9 models: Corolla, C-HR, Highlander, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra, Avalon, Camry, RAV4.
What are the most common causes of P0087?
The most common causes of P0087 are: Clogged or dirty fuel filter, Weak or failing fuel pump (lift pump or high-pressure pump), Faulty fuel pressure regulator or control valve, Restricted or leaking fuel lines, Faulty fuel pressure sensor, Air in the fuel system or running low on fuel, Worn high-pressure pump (direct injection/diesel). The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0087 on a Toyota?
Repair costs vary widely with the root cause and Toyota model; each issue on this page carries its own estimate where one is published.
Looking for P0087 on a different make?
View P0087 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.