Number P0011: "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)
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
Can you drive with P0011?
Severity: Fix promptly — drivability fault. Short trips at moderate speed only. If the car has entered limp mode (won't rev, stuck in one gear), have it towed rather than forcing it.
If you ignore it: Limp-mode faults tend to strand you, and several of them (misfires, throttle faults) damage other parts while you wait.
This is the #33 most common code in our top-150 library, in the variable valve timing family (Powertrain system). Severity is Number Nest's editorial triage — if the light is flashing or the car feels unsafe, stop driving it whatever any page says.
What P0011 means
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.
Systems involved: cam phaser intake bank1, oil control valve intake bank1, engine oil, timing chain.
Causes, ranked by likelihood
| # | Cause | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| 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 common |
Check them in order — the list is ranked so the likely, cheaper causes come before the expensive part.
Symptoms you may notice
- 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
Misdiagnosis traps
- The solenoid gets replaced for what is actually low oil pressure from overdue oil, low oil level, or the wrong oil viscosity. Oil first — always.
- A stretched timing chain sets cam-timing codes that no solenoid will cure; check timing correlation before parts.
How a good shop confirms it
- Check oil level, condition and viscosity; a fresh oil change clears a surprising share of VVT codes.
- Then test the oil control solenoid and its screen, and scope cam/crank correlation.
Repair options & costs
| Repair | Shop total (parts + labor) | DIY (parts only) | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| VVT / oil control solenoid | $123 – $330 | $60 – $180 (parts only) | 2/5 |
National ranges from Number Nest's cost model (midsize car, independent shop, US-average labor).
OBDex repair data for this code rates the job difficulty medium with a typical labor time in the 0.5–8 hour range and DIY possible: yes.
Price this repair in your state
Estimated total: — (midsize car, independent shop)
Frequently asked questions
Can low oil really set a camshaft code?
Yes — the VVT system is hydraulically powered by engine oil. Low, dirty or wrong-viscosity oil slows the phaser response and the computer flags the cam timing it cannot achieve.
How much does it cost to fix P0011?
The fix most associated with this code — vvt / oil control solenoid — runs $123 – $330 at an independent shop for a midsize car in our cost model (parts + labor, US average). The code names a system, not a part, so confirm the cause before spending: the ranked causes above are ordered by likelihood.
Can I drive with P0011?
See the can-you-drive verdict above — it is based on the system involved and the cascading-damage risk, and it is our editorial triage, not a manufacturer instruction. If the light is flashing or the car feels unsafe, stop driving it regardless of any code.
Will P0011 clear itself?
If the fault was a one-off (a loose cap, a cold-start glitch), the light can go out after several clean trips and the code ages into history. A fault that is still present re-sets the code as soon as the car runs that self-test again — monitors run under specific conditions, which is why "it hasn't come back in two days" is not proof of a fix.
Will my car fail inspection with P0011?
In states with OBD-based emissions inspection, yes — an illuminated check-engine light or an incomplete readiness monitor fails the test regardless of what the tailpipe would show. C-codes (ABS) fall under safety inspection instead in states that have one.
What should I check first for P0011?
The first item on the ranked-causes list above — it is ranked likelihood-first for exactly this reason — plus the free checks: recent work in the area (connectors left loose are a classic), fluid levels, and the battery and grounds on electrical codes.
Where this data comes from
Code facts, causes and symptoms come from OBDex — an open dataset of independently authored descriptions of the standardized generic OBD-II codes (CC0 1.0, public domain; github.com/foerbsnavi/OBDex). The SAE J2012 document itself is copyrighted and is not reproduced here. Cost ranges are Number Nest's own US planning model: national parts and labor ranges cross-checked against the CarMD Vehicle Health Index 2026 published averages, with labor adjustable by the BLS OEWS May 2025 state wage index for auto technicians (occupation 49-3023) — a wage index, not a surveyed shop rate. Severity and can-you-drive notes are our editorial triage, not a manufacturer instruction.