P0012 Intake (A) camshaft timing over-retarded (bank 1)
What P0012 means
The engine computer adjusts intake camshaft timing on bank 1 with a VVT solenoid and oil pressure. P0012 means the camshaft is more retarded than commanded. This often happens when the solenoid sticks or oil does not flow properly, and the engine can lose power or idle roughly.
P0012 is a generic SAE J2012 code: it means the same on every make. The exact cause still depends on the car, so read the freeze-frame data before replacing parts.
At a glance
- Severity
- High
- Typical repair cost
- 100–900 €
- Workshop time
- 0.5–5 h
- Repair difficulty
- Medium
- DIY possible
- Yes
- Check engine light
- Yes
- Affects emissions test
- Yes
Parts and labour at an independent workshop in Europe. Main dealers charge more; the cause decides the bill, not the code.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Rough idle or stalling
- Loss of power
- Hard starting
Common causes
- Sticking or clogged VVT oil control solenoid
- Old or sludgy engine oil
- Worn camshaft phaser
- Stretched timing chain
- Low oil pressure
Can I keep driving with P0012?
Have it checked within a few days. An oil change often helps, but ignoring the code can lead to VVT or timing damage.
What to check first
- Change the engine oil and filter with the correct grade
- Inspect the VVT solenoid and its screen
- Watch commanded and actual camshaft angle in live data
- Check timing chain stretch and the phaser
Related codes
- P0011 Intake (A) camshaft timing over-advanced or system performance (bank 1)
- P0013 Exhaust (B) camshaft position actuator circuit/open (bank 1)
- P0010 Intake (A) camshaft position actuator circuit/open (bank 1)
- P0014 Exhaust (B) camshaft timing over-advanced or system performance (bank 1)
- P0016 Crankshaft/camshaft position correlation, bank 1 sensor A (intake)
- P0017 Crankshaft/camshaft position correlation, bank 1 sensor B (exhaust)
- P0018 Crankshaft/camshaft position correlation, bank 2 sensor A (intake)
- P0019 Crankshaft/camshaft position correlation, bank 2 sensor B (exhaust)
Data: TORKO fault-code catalogue, built on OBDex (CC0-1.0) and reviewed against workshop practice. Informational only — it does not replace a diagnosis by a mechanic.
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