P0011 'A' Camshaft Position – Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)

Common causes

• Low, dirty or wrong-grade oil
• Sticking oil control valve (VVT solenoid)
• Faulty cam phaser
• Timing chain problem

Symptoms

• Rough idle, stalling, poor fuel economy, loss of power

Can I drive with it?

Usually drivable for a short time, but get it checked soon – and check the oil first.

Tip: An oil change with the correct grade fixes this more often than you'd think.

Which scanner reads it?

Any OBD2 scanner reads it. Tools with active tests can command the VVT solenoid on supported cars.

Budget tools like the ANCEL AD310 read it; tools with live data and graphing – like the BlueDriver or OBDLink MX+ – help you find the cause. Not sure which fits you? Try the Find My Scanner quiz.

In the data

Of the vehicle complaints owners filed with NHTSA from 2015 to 2025, 100 quote P0011 – most often from Chevrolet, Hyundai, GMC owners. Complaints lean toward serious problems, so treat this as a sign of how often the code turns up in real reports, not how often cars get it.

Both sources are compared on the Trends page.

Related codes

• P0016 Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)
• P0008 Engine Position System Performance (Bank 1)
• P0010 'A' Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)
• P0014 'B' Camshaft Position – Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)
• P0017 Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B)

General information to help you understand a code – not a diagnosis. Your car’s service information or a qualified mechanic has the final word. See how we research.