Timing chain stretched, or timing belt skipped a tooth from wear. Misaligned timing belt or chain, or a damaged belt/chain tensioner. Crankshaft or camshaft tone ring slipped or broken. Faulty crankshaft or camshaft position sensor. Damaged wiring to the crank or cam sensor. Camshaft variable timing solenoid failure (listed by RepairPal). Variable valve timing actuator failure (listed by RepairPal). Engine oil level too low, or oil that doesn't meet the manufacturer's specification (listed by RepairPal).

Repair damaged sensor wiring. Replace a faulty crankshaft or camshaft position sensor. Correct the oil level or change to the specified oil. Replace the camshaft variable timing solenoid or actuator. Repair or replace a slipped or broken tone ring. Replace the timing chain or belt and tensioner, and reset timing (RepairPal lists timing belt replacement as a common repair).

P0016🔧 Engine timing / cam and crank sensorsStop and fix promptly

P0016: Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A) (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Q: What does P0016 mean?

P0016 means the engine computer sees the crankshaft and the Bank 1 intake ('A') camshaft out of time with each other by more than it allows. Causes range from a sensor or wiring fault to low or wrong engine oil affecting variable valve timing, up to a stretched timing chain or a skipped timing belt. The crankshaft position sensor (CKP) and camshaft position sensor (CMP) each read a toothed tone ring, and the engine computer (PCM) uses them to time spark and fuel injection. The timing belt or chain ties the two shafts together, so they should stay precisely in step. OBD-Codes.com explains that when the PCM sees the crank and cam signals out of time by a specific number of degrees, it sets P0016. RepairPal adds that newer engines use variable valve timing to shift the camshaft relative to the crankshaft, so a problem in that system can also put the cam out of its expected position. P0016 is a generic code; 'Bank 1' is the side of the engine with cylinder 1, and 'Sensor A' is usually the intake camshaft. P0017 is the same check for camshaft sensor B. Sources emphasize different likely causes: OBD-Codes.com focuses on the sensors, tone rings and timing belt/chain, while RepairPal's list leads with the variable timing solenoid and actuator and with low or incorrect engine oil. P0016 ranked 9th in the 2026 carfaultcodes.co.uk review of UK fault code data.

Q: Can I keep driving with P0016?

Stop and fix promptly. Get this diagnosed promptly. RepairPal rates P0016 'Urgent'. One of the possible causes is a stretched timing chain or a belt that has skipped a tooth, and OBD-Codes.com notes the engine may run poorly or crank but not start. If you hear rattling from the engine, or it's running badly, avoid driving it until it's checked.

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Based on 3 cited source(s)

What P0016 means

The crankshaft position sensor (CKP) and camshaft position sensor (CMP) each read a toothed tone ring, and the engine computer (PCM) uses them to time spark and fuel injection. The timing belt or chain ties the two shafts together, so they should stay precisely in step. OBD-Codes.com explains that when the PCM sees the crank and cam signals out of time by a specific number of degrees, it sets P0016. RepairPal adds that newer engines use variable valve timing to shift the camshaft relative to the crankshaft, so a problem in that system can also put the cam out of its expected position. P0016 is a generic code; 'Bank 1' is the side of the engine with cylinder 1, and 'Sensor A' is usually the intake camshaft. P0017 is the same check for camshaft sensor B. Sources emphasize different likely causes: OBD-Codes.com focuses on the sensors, tone rings and timing belt/chain, while RepairPal's list leads with the variable timing solenoid and actuator and with low or incorrect engine oil. P0016 ranked 9th in the 2026 carfaultcodes.co.uk review of UK fault code data.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Stop and fix promptly

Get this diagnosed promptly. RepairPal rates P0016 'Urgent'. One of the possible causes is a stretched timing chain or a belt that has skipped a tooth, and OBD-Codes.com notes the engine may run poorly or crank but not start. If you hear rattling from the engine, or it's running badly, avoid driving it until it's checked.

Common symptoms

Check engine light on
Reduced engine performance
Increased fuel consumption (listed by RepairPal)
Engine starts and runs, but poorly
Engine cranks but doesn't start
Rattle near the harmonic balancer, which can indicate a damaged tone ring (listed by OBD-Codes.com)

Likely causes

Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.

Timing chain stretched, or timing belt skipped a tooth from wear
Misaligned timing belt or chain, or a damaged belt/chain tensioner
Crankshaft or camshaft tone ring slipped or broken
Faulty crankshaft or camshaft position sensor
Damaged wiring to the crank or cam sensor
Camshaft variable timing solenoid failure (listed by RepairPal)
Variable valve timing actuator failure (listed by RepairPal)
Engine oil level too low, or oil that doesn't meet the manufacturer's specification (listed by RepairPal)

Diagnostic steps you can do

⚠ Before you start

Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

Read all stored codes. Related camshaft timing or sensor codes (for example P0017, P0011, P0335, P0340) help narrow it down.
Check the engine oil level and that the oil meets your owner's manual specification, since RepairPal lists low or incorrect oil as a cause.
Visually inspect the cam and crank sensors and their wiring and connectors. Repair any broken or frayed wires, clear the code and recheck.
Listen for rattling from the timing cover or harmonic balancer area, and don't keep driving an engine that's rattling or running badly.

Typical fixes

Repair damaged sensor wiring
Replace a faulty crankshaft or camshaft position sensor
Correct the oil level or change to the specified oil
Replace the camshaft variable timing solenoid or actuator
Repair or replace a slipped or broken tone ring
Replace the timing chain or belt and tensioner, and reset timing (RepairPal lists timing belt replacement as a common repair)

Repair costs vary widely by vehicle, region, parts brand and shop, so we don't quote prices. Get a written estimate after diagnosis.

🛠 When to call a pro

Checking the cam and crank signal patterns needs an oscilloscope (OBD-Codes.com)
Inspecting the tone rings or timing chain/belt means removing the cam gear, harmonic balancer or timing cover
The engine cranks but won't start, or rattles
The code returns after you've corrected the oil and checked the wiring

Where to buy

Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.

OBD2 scanners on Amazon Parts at Advance Auto Parts catalog at RockAuto

FAQs

Is P0016 always a timing chain problem?

No. Sources list sensor and wiring faults, low or incorrect oil, and variable valve timing solenoid or actuator failures as causes, as well as a stretched chain or skipped belt. Check the simple things first, but don't ignore it.

What's the difference between P0016 and P0017?

Both mean the crankshaft and camshaft signals don't agree on Bank 1. P0016 refers to camshaft sensor A and P0017 to camshaft sensor B.

Can I keep driving with P0016?

RepairPal rates it 'Urgent'. Because a skipped or stretched timing belt/chain is one possible cause, have it diagnosed promptly, and stop driving if the engine rattles or runs badly.

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-21. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.