Yes, fuel pump relays can fail and when they do it results in the interruption of power delivered to the engine's fuel pump, an important aspect needed to deliver fuel. This relay is responsible for turning the Fuel Pump on like a switch does when you turn your engine, providing it with its necessary 12V power. For example, when the relay goes bad it can fail to turn on the pump entirely which can result in hard starts, stalling or no-start at all. On average, relays will last 5 to 10 years but certain conditions can cut this time in half like electrical problems or being exposed to high heat.
It can also make the relay supply a bad connection that will drop out (turn off) power off And on intermittent to the fuel pump resulting in inconsistent fuel pressure range of 40-60 psi is normal for most fuel-injection systems. This difference in pressure can cause a number of operational problems, such as misfiring and rough idling, due to irregular fuel flow. You can get an OBD-II scanner like BlueDriver to diagnose a bad relay as it will tell you fuel-related error codes if such exists and check the voltage and continuity of the relay using a multimeter.
It is usually cheap to buy a new fuel pump relay, with typical prices falling in the $30 to $70 range depending on the vehicle and type of relay. Yet they can develop into more serious problems; for example, if the fuel pump is suddenly starved while running at highway speeds, safety might become a factor.
The principle of Henry Ford is very valid, which was, Quality means doing it right when no one is looking, Critical to the accurate components. Not only does a Fuel Pump relay help maintain consistent vehicle operation, but proper operation provides a cost effective way to avoid unexpected power loss issues. Verifying the relay works properly keeps the fuel pump running smoothly to help ensure proper fuel flow and engine performance.