OBD codes / P0012
P0012
ModerateCamshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)
P0012 is usually drivable short-term, but address it soon — check oil level and condition immediately, since that alone fixes many cases. If the cause is a worn phaser or timing chain, continued driving can make it worse and hurt performance and economy.
What this code means
P0012 is the retarded-timing counterpart to P0011: the variable valve timing on the Bank 1 intake cam is more retarded (behind) than the computer commanded, and it can't correct it. Variable timing runs on oil pressure through a control solenoid, so the most common and cheapest cause is oil — low level, the wrong viscosity, or dirty/overdue oil clogging the small passages. Next is a stuck VVT/VCT solenoid or a clogged screen; less often a worn cam phaser or stretched timing chain. An oil change is a smart first step.
Symptoms you might notice
- Rough idle or stalling
- Loss of power or hesitation
- Rattle from the front of the engine at start-up
- Reduced fuel economy
- Check-engine light
What it costs to fix
Typical range: $60–$1,500 · about ~0.3–6 hrs of labor
| If the cause is… | Part | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Oil change (when low/dirty oil is the cause) | $30–$100 | ~0.3–0.6 hrs |
| VVT/VCT solenoid (oil-control valve) | $30–$150 | ~0.5–2 hrs |
| Camshaft phaser | $150–$500 | ~3–6 hrs |
The low end assumes the cause is simply low or dirty oil — which genuinely does fix a fair number of these, but isn't guaranteed. The typical repair is the VVT solenoid (modest); a worn phaser or stretched timing chain is the major, high-end job. Get a chain/phaser repair diagnosed before committing.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0012 for my exact vehicle →
How to fix P0012
Moderate — doable at home with common tools and patience
- Start with the oil — level, condition, and viscosity
Check the dipstick and think about the last oil change. Dirty, low, or wrong-viscosity oil clogging the phaser's small passages is the single most common cause of retarded cam timing; if it's overdue, change it with the manufacturer-specified viscosity, clear the code, and drive.
- Read the cam timing data with a scan tool
Watch desired versus actual cam angle for Bank 1 on live data at idle and at 2,000 rpm. If actual timing lags commanded by a large, steady amount, the problem is hydraulic or mechanical; if it tracks and then drops out, suspect the solenoid or its screen.
- Pull and inspect the VVT solenoid
Remove the Bank 1 oil-control solenoid and check its filter screen for sludge and metal debris. Clean a lightly clogged screen; a heavily sludged one tells you the oil passages likely need flushing and the engine has been run on neglected oil.
- Bench-test or replace the solenoid
Apply 12 volts to the solenoid and watch for a crisp plunger click; a lazy or silent one has failed. Given the modest part cost, replacing a suspect solenoid is reasonable at this point.
- If the code returns, have the phaser and chain evaluated
Persistent P0012 after fresh oil and a good solenoid points at a worn cam phaser or a stretched timing chain — especially if there's a startup rattle. That verification requires opening the timing cover, which is a job for a shop.
DIY or shop? A home mechanic can realistically do everything up through the solenoid replacement — and the oil change alone genuinely clears a fair share of these codes. The line is the timing cover: confirming a worn phaser or stretched chain means removing engine-front components and checking timing marks, and getting that wrong risks serious engine damage, so leave the mechanical-timing stage to a shop.
Tools for the DIY steps: OBD-II scan tool with live data · Oil change supplies (correct viscosity) · Socket set · 12V test leads or a fused jumper · Brake or parts cleaner for the solenoid screen
Not sure which step applies to your car? Get the likely cause for your exact vehicle before buying anything for P0012.
P0012 on specific vehicles
The likely causes shift by model. We’ve written up the patterns we see most:
Frequently asked
Can I drive with P0012?
Short-term usually yes, but check your oil right away. If it's just oil, it's trivial; if it's a worn phaser or timing chain, continued driving can worsen it. Get it diagnosed if an oil change doesn't clear it.
Can low oil cause P0012?
Yes — it's one of the most common causes. The variable-timing system runs on oil pressure through tiny passages, so low, dirty, or wrong-grade oil readily triggers it. An oil change with the correct viscosity is a smart first move.
Is P0012 the same as P0011?
Opposite directions of the same system: P0011 is the intake cam over-advanced, P0012 is the intake cam over-retarded, both on Bank 1. Causes and fixes are the same: oil, solenoid, then phaser/chain.
How much does it cost to fix P0012?
From an oil change to a major repair. Oil and solenoid fixes are cheap-to-modest; a camshaft phaser or timing chain is a big labor job. Diagnose before assuming the worst.
Seeing P0012 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0012 for my vehicleRelated trouble codes
Don’t have a scanner yet? A ~$25 Bluetooth adapter reads codes like P0012 from your phone — see our honest guide to the best OBD2 Bluetooth adapters.
Generic OBD-II reference. Manufacturer-specific behavior varies — confirm with a scan tool and, for safety-related codes, a professional inspection.