A faulty Fuel Pump can indeed cause a car to stall shortly after starting. This happens when the Fuel Pump fails to supply the correct quantity of fuel to the engine, due to wear and tear, contamination, or electrical problems. According to statistics from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, 10-15% of car stalls are related to problems with the Fuel Pump. If the Fuel Pump is faulty, the engine may not get enough fuel, and this could cause it to stall when the vehicle is either idling or under load.
The Fuel Pump is supposed to keep the fuel pressure constant, which is usually between 30-60 psi in most vehicles. Failure to maintain this specification results in erratic or insufficient fuel flow, causing poor combustion and a loss of power. For instance, a malfunctioning Fuel Pump may only be able to supply the engine with half the amount of fuel required, which can result in rough idling or stalling after the engine has started. In more extreme cases, if the fuel pressure were to drop drastically, then the engine may not even start at all.
A 2021 study by SAE showed that 18% of Fuel Pump failures in modern vehicles are related to clogged filters that block the fuel flow and hamper the quantity required by the engine. This issue becomes particularly problematic when the car is idling or at low speeds; the engine demands less fuel but still requires consistent delivery to maintain stable operation. If it cannot keep up, the car might stall.
Besides the symptom described above, other signs of a malfunctioning Fuel Pump are poor engine crank, a significant loss of fuel economy-up to 30 percent in some cases-or even odd noises coming from inside the fuel tank. These are early signs of a failing pump that could result in an engine stalling or complete engine failure if not resolved.
The automotive section at Consumer Reports says the cost to replace a Fuel Pump can be from $300 to $1,000 depending on the make and model, so this is an expensive yet highly necessary repair that can save further complications. When the fuel pump has failed completely, the driver may stall frequently soon after firing up the engine because the vehicle can’t sustain the pressure needed for the fuel anymore.