P016F Closed-loop fuel pressure control has run out of range with pressure too low

Closed loop fuel pressure control at limit, pressure too low

Severity not verified — if the car runs badly, have it inspected

Owner complaints on diesel Jeeps and Rams describe loss of power and engine shut-off with this code, but no maker document read for this page rates the severity.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: Get it inspected soon if the engine loses power, stalls or shuts off, as owners of diesel Ram and Jeep vehicles reported.

Source: how we rate severity

P016F in short

P016F means the fuel pressure control loop has reached its limit and rail pressure is still too low. In the sourced cases it shows on 3.0L diesel Jeeps and Rams, where Stellantis lists it among codes fixed by a computer update. Owners also report power loss and shut-off with a failed high-pressure fuel pump.

A diesel or direct-injection engine has the computer adjust fuel pump output to hold a target pressure in the fuel rail. When it has already asked for as much as the pump and regulator can give and pressure is still low, it sets P016F.

Stellantis lists P016F with many other codes in computer software bulletins for the 2020 Wrangler, 2021 Gladiator and 2020 Ram 1500 diesels and the 2014 Grand Cherokee diesel, and the remedy is to reprogram the computer. That is a different path from a failing pump.

An owner complaint on a 2021 Ram 1500 reports the code with P0087 and P025C after the pump recall repair, plus metal debris in the oil and fuel filter. A Hino bulletin ties P016F and P0087 to fuel contamination on its trucks.

Most likely causes

  1. Powertrain computer software needing a flash

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Four Stellantis bulletins for diesel Jeep and Ram models list P016F among codes that a PCM reprogram addresses.
    What would change this
    Raises if the PCM is not on the latest software and no other fuel fault is found; lowers if debris or a fuel supply fault is confirmed.

  2. Failing high-pressure fuel pump

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    A 2021 Ram 1500 complaint documents P016F with P0087 and metal debris in the oil and fuel filter after loss of power; this is one owner account.
    What would change this
    Raises if rail pressure stays low with a good low-pressure supply and debris is found in the fuel filter; lowers if the pump output tests normal.
    How to test the fuel pump

  3. Contaminated fuel

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Hino bulletin TT-16-007 attributes P016F and P0087 to water, rust, algae or other fuel contamination on its trucks, so it is a documented cause on another maker.
    What would change this
    Raises if fuel in the filter or tank shows water or contamination.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all stored codes. Note whether P0087 (rail pressure too low) and P025C (fuel pump module control circuit low) are stored with P016F.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfP0087 and P025C are stored with P016F

      It meansA fuel supply or pump problem is more likely than software alone.

      Go to step 2

    • IfP016F is stored with unrelated codes on a 2014 to 2021 diesel Jeep or Ram

      It meansA PCM software bulletin may apply.

      Go to step 2

  2. Ask a dealer to check your VIN for open recalls and PCM software bulletins for the fuel system.

    Low risk

  3. Have a shop test low-pressure supply and rail pressure with a scan tool and inspect the fuel filter for debris or water.

    Best left to a shopTool: scan tool and shop fuel pressure gauges

    Warning:Diesel common rail systems run at extremely high pressure; fuel injected under that pressure can cause serious injury, so only trained technicians should open the fuel system.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Slow acceleration or reduced power Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Engine stalls or shuts off while driving Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

Parts and cost context

  • Fuel pump:A pump failure can send metal debris through the fuel system, so shops replace more than the pump. Labor varies; get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Jeep

  • 2020 · Wrangler

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA 18-003-23 lists P016F among the codes fixed by a PCM flash on the 2020 Wrangler diesel. Status not verified.

  • 2021 · Gladiator

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA 18-002-22 REV. A lists P016F among the codes fixed by a PCM flash on the 2021 Gladiator diesel. Status not verified.

  • 2014 · Grand Cherokee

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA 18-018-14 lists P016F among the codes fixed by a PCM flash on the 2014 Grand Cherokee diesel; a 2016 owner reports engine shut-off with P016F. Status not verified.

  • 18-003-23Status unverified

    PCM software update for MIL with P016F and other DTCs

    2020wrangler · issued · NHTSA 10231769

    Reprograms the powertrain computer when P016F and several other listed DTCs are set.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 18-002-22 REV. AStatus unverified

    PCM software update for MIL with P016F and other DTCs

    2021gladiator · issued · NHTSA 10229782

    Reprograms the PCM; customers may notice slow acceleration or reduced speed and torque.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 18-018-14Status unverified

    MIL illumination: selective erase and PCM reprogramming

    2014grand-cherokee · issued · NHTSA 10137006

    Selectively erases and reprograms the PCM for a MIL with P016F among many listed codes.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ram

  • 2020 · 1500

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA 18-002-23 lists P016F among the codes fixed by a PCM flash on the 2020 Ram 1500 diesel; a 2021 owner complaint ties P016F to pump failure. Status not verified.

  • 18-002-23Status unverified

    PCM software update for MIL with P016F and other DTCs

    20201500 · issued · NHTSA 10231770

    Reprograms the PCM when P016F and other listed DTCs are set.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P0087Fuel pressure in the rail or supply system is lower than the engine computer requested

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    FCA bulletins and a Ram complaint list P0087 (fuel rail pressure too low) with P016F, so fuel supply faults can set both.

  • P0088Fuel rail pressure higher than the engine computer wants

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    FCA bulletin 18-018-14 lists P0088 (rail pressure too high) with P016F among codes fixed by the PCM flash.

All Fuel pump and injectors codes

P016F questions

Is P016F always a failed fuel pump?

No. On some diesel Jeeps and Rams Stellantis fixes it with a computer update, while other owners report a failed high-pressure pump. A shop should check pressures and the fuel filter first.

Sources and review

  1. NHTSA complaint ODI 2241843: 2021 Ram 1500 diesel, P0087, P025C and P016F after a fuel pump recall repair — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  2. NHTSA complaint ODI 1468588: 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel, engine shuts off with P016F-00 stored — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  3. FCA 18-003-23: PCM software flash for MIL with P016F and other DTCs (2020 Jeep Wrangler diesel) — FCA US / NHTSA ,
  4. FCA 18-002-22 REV. A: PCM software flash for MIL with P016F and other DTCs (2021 Jeep Gladiator diesel) — FCA US / NHTSA ,
  5. FCA 18-002-23: PCM software flash for MIL with P016F and other DTCs (2020 Ram 1500 diesel) — FCA US / NHTSA ,
  6. FCA 18-018-14: MIL illumination, selective erase and PCM reprogramming (2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel) — FCA US / NHTSA ,
  7. Hino TT-16-007: MIL with P20DE, P20DF, P0087 or P016F from fuel contamination (2011-2016 Hino conventional trucks) — Hino Motors / NHTSA ,
  8. P016F Closed Loop Fuel Pressure Control At Limit - Pressure Too Low — Carly
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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