P0011 Intake Cam Timing Over-Advanced (Bank 1)
Get it checked soon
The variable valve timing on bank 1 is not following the computer. Because the system runs on engine oil, check the oil level and condition first. Drivable, but get it diagnosed soon.
- Safe to drive?
- Yes, but check the oil today
- Typical cost at a shop
- $469-$2,764 RepairPal national averages, parts and labor
- Emissions test
- Yes, while the check engine light is on, most OBD emissions tests fail the car.
- Carmaker bulletins
- 1 note with links
What it means
Your engine changes its camshaft timing while it runs. This is variable valve timing (VVT), and it uses oil pressure through a control solenoid. P0011 means the intake cam on bank 1 is more advanced than the computer asked for, or it is slow to respond. Oil problems are the first suspect.
The technical version
The computer commands a cam angle, then compares it with the angle it measures from the cam and crank sensors. If the error stays too large in the advance direction, P0011 sets. P0012 is the retarded direction. Companion codes such as P0016 point to a mechanical timing problem.
Official name: "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1).
Symptoms
- Rough idle or stalling.
- Less power and worse fuel economy.
- A rattle on a cold start, if the chain or tensioner is worn.
Causes, most likely first
| Cause | How likely | How to tell |
|---|---|---|
| Low, dirty or wrong-grade engine oil | most common | Check the dipstick and the service history. |
| A sticking VVT oil control solenoid | common | Oil is fine, and the fault sets when the engine is warm. |
| Sludge in the small oil passages to the phaser | less common | A history of long oil-change intervals. |
| A worn cam phaser | less common | A knock or rattle at start-up. |
| A stretched timing chain or weak tensioner | rare | Rattle on cold start and P0016 with it. |
How likely is our ranking from repair data and common practice, not a published rate.
What the live data shows
Standard OBD data shows the side effects: an unsteady idle, odd timing advance, sometimes shifted fuel trims. The freeze frame helps: a fault that set on a cold engine points to oil flow or the tensioner; a fault on a warm engine points to the solenoid or phaser. Checking the oil comes first whatever the data says.
What to check first, in order
-
Check the oil level and condition.
The whole system runs on oil.
What the data shows: No reading needed.
Cost: free
-
Change the oil to the grade in your manual if it is due or wrong.
It is often the fix.
What the data shows: After the change, clear the code and see if it returns.
Cost: an oil change
-
Read the freeze frame and look for companion codes.
Cold versus warm, and P0016, point to different parts.
What the data shows: Coolant temperature in the freeze frame.
Cost: no cost if you have a scanner
-
Test or replace the VVT solenoid.
A common failed part.
What the data shows: Idle should steady after the repair.
Cost: $469-$594 at a shop (Variable valve timing (VVT) solenoid replacement, RepairPal)
-
Check the phaser and timing chain if the fault stays.
The expensive end.
What the data shows: Not a scanner step.
Cost: $2,120-$2,764 at a shop (Timing chain replacement, RepairPal)
Is it safe to drive?
Get it checked soon
Yes, but check the oil today. The engine runs, but oil or timing problems can get worse.
Usually drivable, but VVT faults can bring rough idle, stalling, weak power and worse economy. If the root cause is oil starvation or a tired timing chain, waiting can lead to costly damage. Check the oil today. If the engine rattles on a cold start, treat it as more urgent.
Stop driving and get help if
- The oil pressure light comes on.
- The engine rattles loudly or stalls.
- P0016 appears as well and the engine runs badly.
What it costs
| Repair | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Variable valve timing (VVT) solenoid replacementRepairPal, updated September 3, 2026 | $469-$594 |
| Timing chain replacementRepairPal, updated September 3, 2026 | $2,120-$2,764 |
National averages for the full job at a shop, parts and labor, from RepairPal (updated September 3, 2026). Your price depends on the car and the area. Many of the first checks on this page cost nothing with a scanner.
Can I clear it? Will it come back?
After an oil change or a solenoid, clear the code and drive normally. If it returns within a few drives, the cause is still there.
Will it fail an emissions test?
Yes, while the check engine light is on, most OBD emissions tests fail the car.
Carmaker notes
Service bulletins and warranty extensions that name this code. Ask a dealer to check your VIN.
-
Volkswagen 2015 Passat, Jetta, Beetle, Golf, Golf SportWagen 2.0L TDI
VW bulletin 01 15 08 (March 2015): P0011 or P0016, the camshaft adjuster control valve may stick.
VW 01 15 08 via NHTSA static.nhtsa.gov
Related codes
Also related, no guide yet: P0012, P0014.
How Obie handles P0011
Obie reads the freeze frame and companion codes, asks about the oil and a cold-start rattle, and tells you whether the pattern points to oil, the solenoid or the timing chain. Obie is part of ScanMyCar Pro. Codes and live sensors are free.
Questions people ask
Can low oil cause P0011?
Yes. Variable valve timing runs on oil pressure, so low or dirty oil is the first thing to check.
Can I drive with P0011?
Usually, for a short time. Check the oil today and get it diagnosed soon.
Is P0011 the timing chain?
Sometimes, but less often than oil or the solenoid. A cold-start rattle and P0016 point to the chain.
Sources
- RepairPal: P0011 code page repairpal.com
- RepairPal: Variable valve timing (VVT) solenoid replacement (updated September 3, 2026) repairpal.com
- RepairPal: Timing chain replacement (updated September 3, 2026) repairpal.com
- VW 01 15 08 via NHTSA static.nhtsa.gov
- Texas DPS emissions testing FAQ dps.texas.gov
- Arizona myazcar.com: OBD and the check engine light myazcar.com
A guide, not a diagnosis. This page describes what P0011 generally means across OBD2 cars. What is actually wrong with your car depends on its live data and its history, and any repair decision deserves a proper diagnosis, whether that is you with a scanner or a professional with a lift.
