EngineLightCodes
Powertrain code

P0011 "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)

Severity
Fix soon
Typical repair cost
$70–$1,980
Do it yourself
Possible, medium
Shop time
0.5–8 hours

The intake camshaft timing on bank 1 is more advanced than the computer asked for. Variable valve timing runs on engine oil, so low or dirty oil is the first thing to check. A sticking oil control valve is the next most common cause.

How the engine computer detects it

The engine control module compares the commanded position of the intake camshaft on bank 1 with the actual position it calculates from the camshaft and crankshaft sensors. This code is set when the camshaft sits further advanced than commanded for longer than a calibrated time, or, depending on the manufacturer, when the target is missed in either direction ("system performance"). Typical cause is a phaser that does not return to its rest position, for example because the oil control valve sticks open or its screen is clogged. Bank 1 is the cylinder bank that contains cylinder 1.

Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Rough or unstable idle, as valve overlap is too large
  • Engine may stall at idle
  • Rattling from the timing drive at cold start
  • Higher fuel consumption

Common causes

  1. Oil level too low, oil sludged or wrong viscosity Most likely
  2. Screen at the oil control valve clogged with debris Most likely
  3. Oil control valve mechanically sticking Most likely
  4. Cam phaser worn or its locking pin sticking Possible
  5. Timing chain worn or fitted incorrectly after a repair Less likely

How to diagnose P0011

  1. Check the oil level and condition. Change it if it's dirty or overdue, using the viscosity in your owner's manual.
  2. Find the intake oil control valve (VVT solenoid) on bank 1 and check its connector.
  3. Remove the valve and clean or replace its screen, which can clog with sludge.
  4. Swap it with the exhaust valve if they're identical, then see if the code moves.
  5. If the valve is fine, the cam phaser or timing chain may be worn.

Vehicles that report P0011 most

VehicleYearsReportsMedian miles
Chevrolet Equinox2010–20182052k
Hyundai Sonata2009–2016880k
GMC Terrain2011–2023734k
Chevrolet Sonic2012–20176—
Chevrolet Malibu2009–20185129k
Chevrolet Traverse2010–2018519k
Chevrolet Silverado 15002007–20214—
Hyundai Elantra2017–20204—
Hyundai Tucson2016–20184—
GMC Sierra 15002014–20224—

Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P0011 (127 in total), not failure rates: popular models get more complaints simply because more of them are on the road. Models with fewer than 3 complaints are left out.

Reading the code

P
Powertrain
0
Generic (SAE) code
0
Fuel and air metering, auxiliary emission controls
11
Specific fault

Questions drivers ask

Can I drive with code P0011?

Yes, for a short time. The engine may idle rough or lose some power. Check the oil level right away.

Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0011?

Probably not in states that test vehicles with an OBD-II scan: an emissions-related code that keeps the check engine light on is usually an automatic fail. Rules differ by state and county, so check yours.

Will P0011 clear by itself?

The light can go off after several drive cycles without the fault, but the code returns if the cause is still there. After a repair, the readiness monitors need a full drive cycle before an inspection.

Can I fix P0011 myself?

Often yes, with an OBD-II scanner and basic tools. Difficulty: medium. Start with the cheapest checks before replacing expensive parts.

Often reported together

Codes that owners mention in the same NHTSA complaints as P0011. They can point to a shared cause, so it's worth checking them together.

This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Repair costs are rough estimates for parts and labor and vary by vehicle and region.