There isn’t anything like owning a car. It gets you to work, the store, or anywhere you’d want to go. You can even use it to make money as a rideshare or delivery driver. But, as much as you may love your vehicle, you probably don’t enjoy an unexpected issue, so when your car doesn’t start, a few different components could be responsible.

While dealing with a dead battery and an empty gas tank are easily resolved, bigger problems such as a fuel pump that has gone bad will require you to tow it to your local repair facility or ASE Certified mechanic. 

To help you prepare for this unexpected car repair, it’s essential to understand what a fuel pump is and how much it could cost you to replace your vehicle’s fuel pump.

What Is a Fuel Pump?

The fuel pump is one of many different components under your car’s hood. In particular, the fuel pump is a key part of the fuel system in any internal combustion engine. You can also find it in the fuel tank itself or along the fuel lines inside the engine bay. And, put simply, the fuel pump helps transfer the gasoline in your car’s fuel tank to the fuel injectors or carburetors to ultimately power your vehicle. 

If your car has an in-tank fuel pump, it will be cooled via the fuel in the tank. That means that if you are running on low to no gasoline, you could be overworking (and overheating) your fuel pump, causing it to fail. So, if you do have an in-tank fuel pump, keeping your tank at least 1/4 tank full is recommended to keep your fuel pump adequately cooled. Refer to your owner’s manual if you are unsure of where your car, truck, or SUV’s fuel pump is.

While a fuel pump is a vital part of any car’s fuel system, plenty of other components are needed to help keep it running for longer. And while having an average car insurance contract or car repair insurance can help cover some major repairs, they can’t cover everything. This is especially true too if a factory warranty no longer covers you. 

Instead, the best way to protect yourself and your vehicle from the cost of expensive and unexpected auto repair bills is with an Endurance auto protection plan. You can even save up to $3,500 on the cost of essential maintenance services, including tire rotations, alignment checks, state safety inspection services and more, with the Advantage protection plan.

Additionally, each Endurance plan comes with several standard benefits, including 24/7 roadside assistance. You will even have the chance to enjoy a full year of Elite Benefits for just a small activation fee, including perks such as up to two tire replacements or repairs, collision discounts and more.

How Much Do Fuel Pumps Cost?

In general, a fuel pump itself does not cost much compared to the labor costs of a fuel pump repair. This is because a fuel pump is a vital part of your vehicle’s fuel system, so it’s essential to have fuel pump work done by a professional. And to install a new fuel pump, your mechanic will have to remove the fuel tank to access the old fuel pump.

Overall, the average fuel pump replacement cost will differ from vehicle to vehicle depending on the fuel pump you have. For example, the average cost for a Chevrolet Tahoe fuel pump replacement will be between $764 and $900. The pump itself costs between $525 and $599, while the dealership labor is estimated to be about $239-$302. You can expect the repair bill to be much less for smaller vehicles with easier access to the fuel pump via an access panel. For example, the average cost of a fuel pump replacement on a Honda Civic will fall between $651 and $750.

You can find the average costs for replacing the fuel pump on the Tahoe, Civic and other popular vehicles below:

Based on the chart, you can see that owning a luxury vehicle often means paying luxury prices for repairs or breakdowns. And without the help of a factory warranty, you would be left paying for these types of repairs on your own—unless you have Endurance. With the Supreme for Highline vehicles protection plan, you can rest easy knowing your BMW M4, Jaguar XF, Land Rover Range Rover or other select luxury vehicles will be covered with no out-of-pocket expenses. Eligible vehicles must be under eight years old and have less than 80,000 miles. You’ll even be able to enjoy all of the same standard benefits available to Endurance customers with any other Endurance protection plan and be eligible for your full year of Elite Benefits. 

How To Tell Your Fuel Pump Is Going Bad

Fuel pumps are notorious for going out without warning, but you may notice a few symptoms of a bad fuel pump or the tell-tale signs that you may have a dead fuel pump. 

Common Symptoms of a Failing Fuel Pump

• A Whining Noise from the Fuel Pump Location: Fuel pumps do make a “priming noise” whenever you start your car but can quickly turn off after a second or two, causing it to ‘whine.’ So, if your fuel pump is whining, you may need to have it looked at as soon as possible.
• Engine Sputtering or Stalling: A failing or bad fuel pump might work intermittently, affecting the amount of fuel delivered or reducing the amount of fuel pressure it produces. This can happen at low or high speeds but is most noticeable when the engine works harder.
• Trouble Starting the Car: Since a failing fuel pump might work at less than stellar performance, your vehicle may not have enough gas to start the car’s engine. This is a common warning sign of a fuel pump going bad.
• Reduced Gas Mileage: If you find yourself visiting the gas station more often, your fuel pump may be to blame. Replace your fuel pump to restore your fuel economy and save money.
• Check Engine Light Is On: In more modern vehicles that use an electric fuel pump, you might see a check engine light come on, which can be one of the main signs that you’re dealing with a bad fuel pump.

Common Signs of a Dead Fuel Pump

• No Start Condition: If your vehicle is not starting, there could be various issues with your car, and a dead or faulty fuel pump could be one of them.
• No Priming Sound: While a failing or bad fuel pump will begin to whine, your fuel pump may have died if you no longer hear anything.
• No Fuel in Fuel Lines: Your mechanic can do a standard check for a dead or faulty fuel pump by pressing the Shrader valve at the fuel rail to see if you have fuel pressure. If you do not have fuel or have low fuel pressure, you should look to having the fuel pump repaired or replaced as soon as you are able.
• Sudden Loss of Engine Power: If your vehicle suddenly dies without warning, your fuel pump should be on your list of items to check, as this is one of the common signs of a dead or bad fuel pump.

Keeping Your Car Maintained with Endurance

Ensuring you keep your fuel tank at least 1/4 full and stay up-to-date on your car’s recommended maintenance schedule to ensure your fuel pump, fuel filter, and other major fuel system components last as long as possible. Not only do these components get very costly when repairs are needed, but they can also cause damage to other components as well, costing you even more money in the end. 

Instead, look to protect yourself, your vehicle and your wallet from costly auto repair bills with an Endurance auto protection plan. You can also help ensure your vehicle lasts for years to come, thanks to the unrivaled maintenance benefits of the Advantage protection plan. This comprehensive package combines breakdown protection with up to $3,500 in yearly maintenance services, including alignment checks, engine diagnostic exams, oil and filter changes and much more. 

As an Endurance customer, you’ll have peace of mind knowing they have 24/7 roadside assistance and more for free, regardless of your plan. You can even access an entire year’s worth of Elite Benefits, including up to two tire replacements or repairs, collision discounts, key fob replacements and much more with the purchase of any Endurance protection plan and a small activation fee. Owners of select luxury vehicles from some popular automakers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Land Rover, Jaguar and more can also find coverage with the Highline protection plan while enjoying the same standard benefits that come with every Endurance plan.

Get started by requesting a free quote or by calling a member of our award-winning care team at (800) 253-8203 to learn more about Endurance and how you can find a plan that fits your needs and budget. The Endurance blog is also the go-to place to find even more answers to your various automotive FAQs, helpful DIY maintenance tips, comprehensive vehicle buying guides, extended warranty coverage comparisons and more.