Number P0012: "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)
The engine control module compares the commanded position of the intake camshaft on bank 1 with the actual position from the camshaft and crankshaft sensors. This code is set when the camshaft stays further retarded than commanded for longer than a calibrated time. Usually the phaser does not move f
Can you drive with P0012?
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 #34 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 P0012 means
The engine control module compares the commanded position of the intake camshaft on bank 1 with the actual position from the camshaft and crankshaft sensors. This code is set when the camshaft stays further retarded than commanded for longer than a calibrated time. Usually the phaser does not move far enough out of its rest position, because oil pressure is too low to release the locking pin, the oil control valve does not open, or the oil screen is blocked. A stretched timing chain also shifts the camshaft towards retarded. 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 pressure or oil level too low, oil worn out | most likely |
| 2 | Oil control valve sticking closed or its screen blocked | most likely |
| 3 | Cam phaser defective or seized in its rest position | possible |
| 4 | Timing chain stretched or jumped a tooth | possible |
| 5 | Wear debris in the oil circuit, e.g. from a thrust bearing | 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
- Noticeably less torque and pulling power
- Higher fuel consumption
- Harder starting in some cases
- Rattle from the timing drive if the chain is stretched
Misdiagnosis traps
- Twin of P0011 in the retarded direction: same oil-first discipline, plus a phaser that sticks at rest from sludge.
How a good shop confirms it
- Oil service and solenoid test first; then phaser mechanical check.
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 0.5–10 hour range and DIY possible: yes.
Price this repair in your state
Estimated total: — (midsize car, independent shop)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between P0011 and P0012?
Direction. P0011 means the cam timing is more advanced than commanded; P0012 means more retarded. Both usually start with oil and the control solenoid.
How much does it cost to fix P0012?
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 P0012?
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 P0012 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 P0012?
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 P0012?
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.