P0016: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)
Quick Answer
Not safe to drive
P0016 means the crankshaft and intake camshaft on Bank 1 are not in the correct rotational relationship. The ECU detects that camshaft position deviates from what it commanded based on crankshaft position. Causes range from low oil level to timing chain stretch.
- Severity
- High · Ignition
- Estimated repair cost
- From €50 to €2600+, varies by vehicle
Scan your own car in about 60 seconds: see whether P0016 is really what it has, how urgent it is, and what the fix should cost. Free on iPhone and Android with an ELM327 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone).
Get Skanyx freeWhat does P0016 mean?
P0016 is a ignition-related diagnostic trouble code classified as high severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P0016 and illuminates the check engine light.
Where it is on the car
- Crankshaft sprocket and position sensor
- Timing chain or belt
- Camshaft sprockets with VVT phasers
- Camshaft position sensor
- VVT oil control solenoid
Crank and camshaft correlation codes are often a stretched timing chain or a jumped tooth, or a worn or slipped belt. A weak sensor signal or low oil can set them too, so check the oil level and the sensors before you assume the chain.
What are the symptoms of P0016?
If your vehicle has triggered P0016, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:
- Check engine light illuminated
- Rattling or clattering from front of engine on cold start
- Rough idle or engine vibration
- Reduced power and hesitation
- Poor fuel economy
- Engine may stall or fail to start in severe cases
What causes P0016?
Here are the most common causes of P0016:
Degraded or low engine oil (VVT system relies on oil pressure)
: high
Stretched timing chain (wear at 100,000+ km)
: high
Failed VVT/VCT solenoid (oil control valve)
: medium
Worn or failed timing chain tensioner
: medium
Camshaft or crankshaft position sensor fault
: low
Timing chain jumped one or more teeth
: low
Is it safe to drive with P0016?
No - address this immediately. Drive only short distances to reach a shop. If the timing chain is stretched or the tensioner has failed, continued driving risks the chain skipping teeth, which can bend valves and destroy the engine on interference designs. If you hear a cold-start rattle, get it diagnosed immediately.
How do you diagnose P0016?
Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0016:
- Check engine oil level and condition. If low, dirty, or overdue for change, start here. Putting the specified oil back in is a common enough fix to rule out before anything else
- Listen for cold-start rattle from front of engine (1-5 seconds on startup). This is the classic timing chain stretch symptom
- Read live data: check camshaft position deviation from commanded position. Deviation over 5-10 degrees indicates timing issue
- Test VVT solenoid: check resistance with multimeter, inspect mesh screen for debris. A clogged screen is a common quick fix
- If oil change and VVT solenoid check don't resolve, a timing chain kit replacement is likely needed. Have a shop confirm with a timing chain wear measurement
How much does P0016 cost to fix?
Repair costs for P0016 vary depending on the root cause and your vehicle. Here are typical estimates:
| Repair | Parts Cost | Labor Cost | Total Estimate | DIY Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil change (correct spec oil) | €30–€80 | €20–€50 | €50–€130 | Easy |
| Replace VVT/VCT solenoid | €30–€150 | €40–€150 | €70–€300 | Moderate |
| Replace timing chain kit (chain, guides, tensioner) | €150–€600 | €500–€2000 | €650–€2600 | Professional |
| Replace camshaft position sensor | €20–€80 | €30–€100 | €50–€180 | Moderate |
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
Full repair guides
Engines known for this code
P0016 on specific vehicles
P0016 behaves differently depending on your vehicle. Select your car below for model-specific causes and known issues:
P0016 on Toyota
Toyota Camry
P0016 on Honda
Honda Civic
P0016 on Volkswagen
Volkswagen Golf
P0016 on BMW
BMW 3 Series
Related diagnostic codes
These codes are often seen alongside P0016 or indicate related issues:
Common questions about P0016
- Is P0016 serious?
- Yes. It indicates engine timing is off, ranging from a simple oil change fix to a stretched timing chain. If the chain skips teeth on an interference engine, valves can bend, causing catastrophic damage.
- Can low oil cause P0016?
- Yes. The VVT system uses oil pressure to adjust camshaft position. Low or degraded oil means the actuator can't respond fast enough. An oil change is a common fix and the cheapest one to try first.
- What does cold start rattle mean with P0016?
- A 1-5 second rattle from the front of the engine after cold start means the timing chain has slack. Oil pressure hasn't built up yet to tension the chain. This worsens over time.
- How much does a timing chain replacement cost?
- The chain kit (chain, guides, tensioner) costs 150-600 EUR. Labour is 500-2,000 EUR because it requires significant engine disassembly. Total: 650-2,600 EUR depending on the engine.
Read our detailed guides
- Next stepHow to Find Out What Is Wrong With Your Car for 15 EurosA 15 euro Bluetooth adapter and a free phone app read the exact fault code a shop charges 30 to 100 euros to pull. Here is how to do it yourself in 5 minutes.
- How to Fix P0016: Camshaft Correlation Causes and CostP0016 repair cost runs from €50 for an oil change to €3,000 for a timing chain, depending on whether the fault is oil, a VVT solenoid, or chain stretch.
- Camshaft Problems: Symptoms, Causes, Codes, and Repair CostRough idle, a cold-start rattle, or a P0010 code? Most camshaft problems are a cheap solenoid or sensor, not a worn shaft. Here is how to tell them apart.
- Timing Chain Replacement Cost: VW Audi TSI and TDIA timing chain replacement runs 700 to 2,500 euros on VW and Audi TSI engines. What is fair by engine, why it rattles, and the codes to scan first.
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Scan your car with Skanyx to diagnose P0016
Your car logged P0016. Skanyx reads it on a standard OBD2 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone), tells you whether it is safe to keep driving, and shows the €50-€2600 repair range so you know the number before a shop quotes you. Free on iPhone and Android, and you do not need to be a mechanic to read it.
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