P0087 on Subaru
Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low
P0087 on Subaru vehicles indicates fuel rail/system pressure - too low. Au7o has documented this code across 4 Subaru models — most commonly on Ascent, Crosstrek, Forester. 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.
Common Causes of P0087
- •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)
P0087 on Subaru by Model
Subaru Ascent(2 issues)
- Fuel Pump Impeller Failure - Recall WRK-22 / NHTSA 20V-7012019-2021
Certain 2019-2021 Ascents are affected by a fuel pump recall (WRK-22, NHTSA 20V-701) where the low-pressure fuel pump impeller can deform due to excessive absorption of fuel components, particularly in regions with higher-concentration ethanol fuels. A deformed impeller reduces fuel delivery, causing engine stalling, rough running, or inability to start. This is a safety concern as stalling can occur without warning during driving. The recall was coordinated across multiple manufacturers using the same Denso fuel pump.
- Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Impeller Failure (Recall 21V-587 / WRG-21)2019-2020
The Denso-supplied low-pressure in-tank fuel pump can develop a swollen/deformed impeller that jams the pump, causing rough running, no-start, or sudden engine stall while driving. ~22,800 Ascents were included in the 165k-vehicle 2021 recall covering MY 2019-2020 Ascents alongside several other Subaru lines.
Subaru Crosstrek(1 issue)
- Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Impeller Failure Causing Stall2019
2019 Crosstreks (along with various 2013-2020 Subarus) were built with Denso low-pressure in-tank fuel pumps whose plastic impeller absorbs fuel and swells. The swollen impeller binds against the pump body, causing rough running, no-start, and unexpected engine stalls at highway speed. Affected vehicles were subject to NHTSA recalls (including WRD-20); related class-action litigation remains pending (Seeger Weiss case 1:20-cv-0982, D.N.J.).
Subaru Forester(1 issue)
- Denso Low-Pressure In-Tank Fuel Pump Failure Causing Sudden Stalling2017-2020
Foresters equipped with a Denso low-pressure fuel pump (part-number prefix 42022-) built before mid-2019 use a low-density plastic impeller that absorbs fuel, swells and deforms inside the pump housing. The deformed impeller binds against the housing and abruptly cuts fuel delivery, causing the engine to hesitate, run rough, fail to start, or stall without warning while driving — a crash risk. The defect is covered by NHTSA recall 21V-587 (one of several Subaru/Denso fuel-pump campaigns) and a class-action settlement that extended the pump warranty to 15 years/150,000 miles on replaced units.
Subaru Outback(1 issue)
- Denso Fuel Pump Impeller Failure Leading to Stalling or No-Start2020
Certain 2020 Outback vehicles were included in the large Denso low-pressure fuel pump recall affecting many manufacturers. The impeller can deform, causing the pump to seize or lose output, which may result in hard starting, rough running, engine stall, or a no-start condition. This is a documented safety-related defect because loss of propulsion can occur while driving.
Looking for P0087 on a different make?
View P0087 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0087 mean on Subaru?▼
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 Subaru specifically, this code is documented across 4 models.
What causes P0087 on Subaru vehicles?▼
Common causes on Subaru: 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. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0087 on a Subaru?▼
Repair costs vary widely depending on the root cause and specific Subaru model.
Which Subaru models have P0087 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0087 on 4 Subaru models: Ascent, Crosstrek, Forester, Outback.