How much does a fuel pump replacement cost?
The exact price of a fuel pump replacement could vary dramatically depending on your vehicle’s year, make and model, and the costs of labor where you’re getting the work done. But in general, the typical fuel pump replacement should cost between $1,100 – $1,300—about $500 – $600 for parts and $600 – $700 for labor.
What is a fuel pump?
The fuel pump is a crucial piece of your car: It sends gasoline from the tank to the engine. Old cars have mechanical pumps, but most modern gas-powered cars made after the mid-1990s are generally designed with an electric fuel pump that’s located inside the fuel tank.
The pump takes gasoline up through a diaphragm that opens and closes hundreds of times per second, creating a steady flow of fuel. The gas travels through a filter on the pump that sifts out impurities, then goes through fuel lines to the car’s engine, where it meets a spark, combusts, and powers the car. The car’s electronic control unit (ECU)—the computer that functions like the vehicle’s brain—monitors how much fuel is being used and makes adjustments accordingly.
How often does a fuel pump need to be replaced?
Your fuel pump should last for at least 100,000 miles before needing to be replaced—but with the right maintenance and care, it may even last for your car’s entire lifespan. To keep your fuel pump working properly, experts suggest keeping the tank at least ¼ full of gas and changing the fuel filter as often as is recommended by your car’s manufacturer.
How can I tell if my fuel pump is broken?
Something may be wrong with your fuel system if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Your car won’t start, or struggles to start.
- The engine backfires or sputters.
- The car stalls out.
- While driving, you lose speed, struggle to maintain speed, or lose power entirely.
- The engine overheats.
- High-pitched, whining noises are coming from near the fuel tank.
- The “check engine” light comes on.
If you notice any of these signs of trouble, please get your vehicle checked out by a dealership or licensed mechanic immediately. If a fuel pump fails completely while you’re driving and your engine loses power suddenly, it could cause a dangerous accident. Manufacturers including Hyundai, Toyota, Honda, and General Motors have recalled millions of vehicles in the past due to fuel pump issues.
There are a few things you can try before going all-in on what could be an expensive fuel pump replacement:
- Make sure you have fuel in the gas tank.
- Check the fuel filter and replace it if needed.
- Check your spark plugs and replace them if needed.
- Check whether anything’s blocking air flow to the engine or you notice any faulty wiring.
- Check whether a blown fuse is preventing power from getting to the fuel pump.
- Borrow a fuel pressure test kit from an auto parts store. On a standard fuel-injected car, it should be at least 40 psi—if your number is consistently lower than that, the fuel pump needs replacing.
How to replace a fuel pump
If you need a fuel pump replacement, it’s possible to swap out the part yourself if you have sufficient mechanical experience. Otherwise, it’s best left to a professional mechanic, especially considering that this repair involves flammable gasoline and is crucial to your car’s performance.
The repair typically requires draining fuel from the car and disconnecting all fuel supply and return hoses. While some cars have panels in the back seat or trunk that make it easy to access the fuel pump, other cars require taking the whole fuel tank off of the vehicle to access it. Necessary parts may include a new pump, brackets for mounting it in place of the old one, and fresh fuel filters. After the swap, the new pump should be thoroughly tested to make sure no leaks are detected.
Keep in mind: There are always innovations in car technology, and some new gasoline engines use direct injection, which requires two fuel pumps – one that gets gas from the tank to the engine, and another that sends fuel to injectors at high pressure. And of course, if you have an electric vehicle that runs on batteries instead of gasoline, it won’t have a fuel tank at all!
Deirdra Funcheon is a journalist with a master\’s degree from Boston University and more than 20 years of experience covering a broad range of topics. She has worked at Univision (on the investigative team at Fusion), Axios (where she covered Miami-area news) and Bisnow (covering the commercial real estate industry). At Jerry, she aims to empower drivers with knowledge about how their vehicles work and how best to handle repairs, insurance and other complications of car ownership.
Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett’s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He’s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.
