P0231 on Volvo
Fuel Pump Secondary Circuit - Low
P0231 on Volvo vehicles indicates fuel pump secondary circuit - low. Au7o has documented this code across 4 Volvo models — most commonly on V70, XC40, XC60. This code indicates the engine computer detected a low-voltage condition in the fuel pump's secondary (driver/output) control circuit. Many vehicles control the fuel pump through a relay or a dedicated driver module, and the computer monitors the voltage on that circuit to confirm the pump is being powered correctly. When the feedback voltage stays lower than expected, P0231 sets. Because the fuel pump supplies pressurized fuel to the injectors, this fault can cause hard starting, stalling, or no-start conditions. Typical repair costs on Volvo range from $200 to $1,800, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0231
- •Faulty fuel pump relay
- •Corroded or loose connector at the pump or relay
- •Damaged or shorted wiring in the pump power circuit
- •Poor ground for the fuel pump circuit
- •Failing fuel pump drawing abnormal current
- •Faulty fuel pump driver module
- •PCM/ECM internal driver fault (rare)
P0231 on Volvo by Model
Volvo V70(1 issue)
- Fuel Pump Control Module Corrosion or Failure Causing No-Start and Stalling2008-2010
The fuel pump electronic control module used on this generation can fail from heat, moisture, or internal electronics faults, leading to intermittent no-starts, sudden stalling, or extended cranking. This problem is documented across late-2000s/early-2010s P3 Volvos and appears in owner reports and service literature. Because the module controls pump speed and delivery, failure can mimic a bad in-tank fuel pump.
Volvo XC40(1 issue)
- Fuel Pump Control Module Failure2019-2025
The fuel pump control module fails, causing the engine to stall, not start, or lose power while driving. Volvo issued a recall for some VINs. The module is located near the fuel tank and is susceptible to corrosion and vibration damage.
Volvo XC60(1 issue)
- In-Tank Fuel Pump and Pump Electronic Module (PEM) Failure Causing Stalling and No-Start2010-2013
Early Gen1 XC60s use a fuel pump driven by a separate Pump Electronic Module (PEM) that is commanded by the Central Electronic Module (CEM). Two related failures show up: a CEM software fault that fails to send the run signal to the PEM (NHTSA recall 09V343000, 11,993 vehicles including the 2010 XC60), and outright failure of the in-tank pump assembly itself, which CarComplaints lists as the single most-reported problem on the 2010 XC60 at roughly 70,000 miles. Because residual rail pressure is still present at key-on, the car will often start normally and then stall a short distance later, which makes the fault look intermittent and gets it misdiagnosed as an ignition or immobilizer problem. The PEM lives under the rear seat area and is also prone to moisture-related corrosion, so a water leak in the cabin (see the sunroof/cowl drain issue) can take out the fuel delivery system as a secondary failure.
Volvo XC90(1 issue)
- AEB System and Fuel Pump Recalls2019-2020
Multiple recalls affect 2019-2020 XC90: (1) Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) may not function properly, (2) Fuel pump may fail causing stalling. Both are safety recalls with free repairs at Volvo dealers.
Looking for P0231 on a different make?
View P0231 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0231 mean on Volvo?▼
P0231 stands for "Fuel Pump Secondary Circuit - Low." This code indicates the engine computer detected a low-voltage condition in the fuel pump's secondary (driver/output) control circuit. Many vehicles control the fuel pump through a relay or a dedicated driver module, and the computer monitors the voltage on that circuit to confirm the pump is being powered correctly. When the feedback voltage stays lower than expected, P0231 sets. Because the fuel pump supplies pressurized fuel to the injectors, this fault can cause hard starting, stalling, or no-start conditions. On Volvo specifically, this code is documented across 4 models.
What causes P0231 on Volvo vehicles?▼
Common causes on Volvo: Faulty fuel pump relay, Corroded or loose connector at the pump or relay, Damaged or shorted wiring in the pump power circuit, Poor ground for the fuel pump circuit, Failing fuel pump drawing abnormal current. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0231 on a Volvo?▼
Repair costs on Volvo range from $200 to $1,800, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Volvo models have P0231 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0231 on 4 Volvo models: V70, XC40, XC60, XC90.