P0012 code: Camshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)
P0012 means camshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1). The code says where to look, not what failed — the fix depends on which cause your car actually has.
What P0012 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.
P0012 symptoms
- 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 P0012
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.
Start a case with P0012 and your car. Redline weighs these causes against what your car shows, and names the check that would settle it before you buy parts.
Can I drive with P0012?
Redline can’t determine from a symptom or code alone whether your car is safe to drive.
P0012 on specific vehicles
The likely causes shift by model. We’ve written up the patterns we see most:
P0012: common questions
Can I drive with P0012?
Redline can't make that call from the code alone. Check your oil right away — if it's just oil, it's a cheap fix; 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, and stop driving if you hear a start-up rattle or it runs rough.
Can low oil cause P0012?
It can — 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.
Related trouble codes
Don’t have a scanner yet? A ~$25 Bluetooth adapter reads codes like P0012 from your phone. See our guide to the best OBD2 Bluetooth adapters. Run a repair shop? See Redline for shops.
Generic OBD-II reference. Manufacturer-specific behavior varies. Confirm with a scan tool and, for safety-related codes, a professional inspection. Cost ranges are reference ranges, not quotes.
Seeing P0012 on your car?
Every problem becomes a Case. Tell Redline what the car is doing: it shows what the evidence supports, what’s still missing, and what to check next, before you approve a repair.
“Inner pad ~1 mm. Outer pad 3 mm.”
Next: check the slide pins move freely before buying parts.