EngineLightCodes
Powertrain code

P0014 "B" 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 exhaust camshaft timing on bank 1 is more advanced than the computer asked for. As with other valve timing codes, low or dirty oil and a sticking oil control valve are the usual causes.

How the engine computer detects it

The engine control module compares the commanded position of the exhaust 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 idle and hesitation
  • 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 P0014

  1. Check the oil level and condition and correct it.
  2. Inspect the exhaust oil control valve (VVT solenoid) on bank 1 and its connector.
  3. Clean or replace the screen on the oil control valve.
  4. If the code returns, test the valve or swap it with the intake valve if they're identical.
  5. If the valve is fine, a shop should check the cam phaser and timing chain.

Vehicles that report P0014 most

VehicleYearsReportsMedian miles
Kia Soul2015–202216—
Chevrolet Equinox2010–20201297k
GMC Terrain2010–202312122k
Kia Sorento2011–201611123k
Chevrolet Malibu2009–20199—
Hyundai Sonata2009–20179109k
Kia Optima2012–20169130k
Hyundai Elantra2012–20198—
Kia Sportage2013–20177104k
Hyundai Santa FE2012–20177—

Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P0014 (162 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
14
Specific fault

Questions drivers ask

Can I drive with code P0014?

Yes, for a short time. You may notice rough idle or hard starting. Check the oil level first.

Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0014?

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 P0014 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 P0014 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 P0014. 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.