P0021

Moderate

Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced (Bank 2)

P0021 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.

What this code means

P0021 is the Bank 2 version of P0011: the intake cam timing on the cylinder-2 side is more advanced than the computer commanded, and it can't pull it back. 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 clogged screen; less often a worn 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 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 P0021 for my exact vehicle →

Frequently asked

Can I drive with P0021?

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 P0021?

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 P0021 the same as P0011?

Same fault, opposite bank: P0011 is the intake cam over-advanced on Bank 1, P0021 is the same on Bank 2 (the cylinder-2 side). Causes and fixes are identical: oil, solenoid, then phaser/chain.

How much does it cost to fix P0021?

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 P0021 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.

Diagnose P0021 for my vehicle

Generic OBD-II reference. Manufacturer-specific behavior varies — confirm with a scan tool and, for safety-related codes, a professional inspection.