Engine codes
P0011: camshaft timing over-advanced (bank 1)
Your engine computer moves the intake camshaft with oil pressure to change valve timing, then checks where the cam really ended up. P0011 is set when the cam sits further ahead than commanded, or answers too slowly.
P0011: can I drive, and what will the labor cost?
Estimated labor, oil and filter change with the specified oil
$33 to $55
| Labor time (estimate) | 0.3 to 0.5 h |
| Rate used | $110/h |
| Technician wage, United States (average) | $27.13/h |
| Moderate: fix within weeks Usually drivable for a short time; a rough idle or stalling at stops means it should go to a shop within days. | |
Labor only: parts and the diagnostic fee are not included. Hours are our estimate for a typical car; book times vary by model. Wage: BLS, May 2025.
P0011 is a generic OBD-II code meaning "camshaft position A, timing over-advanced or system performance, bank 1". On most engines camshaft A is the intake cam, and bank 1 is the side with cylinder 1. Variable valve timing turns the cam relative to the crankshaft using engine oil, metered by an electric oil control solenoid; the computer compares the cam sensor signal with its target, and P0011 means the actual position runs ahead of the target or lags behind it for too long. Because the mechanism runs on oil, the cheapest checks come first: oil level, oil age and the viscosity printed on the filler cap. A sticking solenoid is the next most frequent fix, and a worn phaser or stretched chain the least frequent but most expensive. It is usually drivable for a short time, with rough idle or stalling as the warning signs. The labor figures on this page use a starting rate of $110 an hour, the US average estimate.
After the repair: when does the light go off?
Light off by itself after about
2 days
| Fault-free trips needed | 3 |
| Warm-up cycles before the code can be erased | 40 |
| Stored code gone after about | 40 days |
Federal rule for model years up to 2016 (40 CFR 86.1806-05); a misfire or fuel fault must also stay away under similar conditions. Clearing codes with a scanner also resets the readiness monitors an inspection checks.
Codes, rules and labor data checked by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method and sources
P0011 at a glance
| Code | P0011 |
| Standard description | "A" Camshaft Position, Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1) |
| System | Camshaft and crankshaft timing |
| Severity | Moderate: fix within weeks |
| Common symptoms | rough or unstable idle, stalling when coming to a stop, hesitation at low speed, lower fuel economy |
What the engine computer is checking
At idle the computer usually parks the intake cam in its most retarded position, then advances it with speed and load to improve torque and economy. It reads the result from the camshaft position sensor many times a second. If the cam is still advanced when it should have returned, the engine idles roughly and may stall when you stop, because the valves open too early for low speed. That is the classic P0011 complaint.
Oil does the work. Thick, sludgy or low oil moves the phaser slowly or not at all, and a few engines are known to set this code after an oil change with the wrong grade. The solenoid has a fine screen on its inlet that can clog with debris. When a phaser wears, its internal lock pin or vanes leak and it no longer holds position.
A sensible order of checks
- Check the oil level on the dipstick and the date of the last change; correct both and clear the code.
- Look for other codes: P0016 alongside P0011 points more toward the timing chain; a cam sensor circuit code points to wiring.
- A technician can command the solenoid with a scan tool and watch the cam angle respond, which separates the solenoid from the phaser.
Once the oil is right, the light goes off by itself only after 3 consecutive trips without the fault; the counter on this page counts how many days that takes for your driving.
Likely causes of P0011, in order
| Cause | How often |
|---|---|
| Oil level low, oil overdue or the wrong viscosity for the variable timing system | most frequent |
| Oil control solenoid (VVT solenoid) sticking or its screen clogged | most frequent |
| Worn cam phaser that no longer holds its position | frequent |
| Stretched timing chain or worn guides | less frequent |
| Wiring or connector fault at the solenoid | less frequent |
P0011 repairs and labor time
| Repair | Labor (estimate) | At $110/h |
|---|---|---|
| Oil and filter change with the specified oil | 0.3 to 0.5 h | $33 to $55 |
| Replace the oil control (VVT) solenoid | 0.5 to 1.5 h | $55 to $165 |
| Replace cam phaser and timing chain set | 4 to 10 h | $440 to $1,100 |