High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Failure
The HPFP on EA888 2.0 TSI engines has a documented failure history that VW acknowledged with extended warranty coverage on specific production years. Before paying for this repair out of pocket, verify whether your VIN qualifies for cost recovery. Here's what the failure looks like and what the complete repair involves.
What the HPFP Does
Direct-injection engines operate at much higher fuel rail pressures than port-injected engines — typically 1,500–2,000 psi versus 40–60 psi in port injection. To achieve these pressures, a high-pressure fuel pump is driven mechanically by the camshaft. In the EA888, the HPFP sits on the cylinder head and is driven by a dedicated lobe on the exhaust camshaft. The pump pressurizes fuel from the low-pressure pump (in the fuel tank) up to the operating pressure required by the direct injectors.
When the HPFP fails, fuel rail pressure drops below the minimum required for proper injection. The ECU detects low fuel rail pressure and stores fault codes. Symptoms progress from intermittent hard starts to misfires under load to complete inability to start as the pump fails further. On early EA888 Gen 1 and Gen 2 applications, the pump's internal cam follower (the part that rides on the camshaft lobe) wore prematurely, reducing the pump's ability to build adequate pressure.
Symptoms
The HPFP failure sequence is usually gradual. Early: hard cold starts — the engine cranks longer than normal before firing, particularly after sitting overnight. Middle: hesitation and brief stumble under hard acceleration as fuel rail pressure momentarily drops below the injector minimum. Late: stalling under load, multiple misfires across all cylinders (no single cylinder pattern — when fuel pressure is low, all injectors are affected), P0087 fuel rail pressure low fault stored. In some cases, the engine will start normally when cold but develop fuel pressure issues after warmup as fuel demand increases with engine temperature.
P0087 is the key code: Fuel Rail / System Pressure Too Low. On a 2.0 TSI that shows P0087 alongside multiple misfires with no single-cylinder pattern, HPFP failure should be the first diagnosis target — not coil packs, not injectors. VCDS live data showing actual fuel rail pressure during cranking and at idle confirms the diagnosis definitively.
Extended Warranty Coverage: Check Your VIN First
VW issued a Customer Satisfaction Program (not a formal recall, but functionally similar) covering HPFP replacement on specific 2.0 TSI EA888 Gen 1 and Gen 2 production. The coverage varied by production date, model year, and regional VW market. Before authorizing any paid repair on a 2.0 TSI HPFP, check the VIN through VW's official VIN lookup tool at vw.com or have the dealer run a VIN check for open campaigns. Cars that qualify under extended coverage are entitled to HPFP replacement at no cost to the owner regardless of mileage within the program parameters.
Even if the original owner never pursued warranty coverage, the program typically transfers with the vehicle — not with the original owner. A second or third owner on an eligible VIN can still request coverage. It's worth 10 minutes of verification before writing a check.
Affected Models and Repair Cost
| Primarily Affected Models | Production Range |
|---|---|
| Golf GTI (MK6) | 2008–2013 |
| Jetta 2.0T / GLI | 2008–2013 |
| Passat 2.0T | 2012–2013 |
| Tiguan 2.0T | 2009–2013 |
| Eos 2.0T | 2008–2013 |
| Repair Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| HPFP (OEM) | $350–$550 |
| Cam follower (replace simultaneously) | $15–$30 |
| Labor (1.5–2.5 hours) | $165–$375 |
| Total out-of-pocket (if not covered) | $500–$900 |
The cam follower is a $15 part that must be replaced simultaneously with the HPFP. The follower is what contacts the camshaft lobe, and on failed HPFP units it's typically worn. Installing a new HPFP on a worn follower transfers the wear to the new pump immediately.