P0011
"A" Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced (Bank 1)
Quick answer: P0011 means "A" Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced (Bank 1). Fixing the underlying cause typically runs $130 to $910 at an independent shop. Drive gently, service soon.
- Severity
- Moderate
- Safe to drive?
- Drive gently, service soon
- Typical repair
- $130 to $910
- Most likely cause
- Low, old, or wrong-viscosity engine oil, or an overdue oil change (check this first, it is the cheapest and most common cause)
What P0011 means
Modern engines adjust camshaft timing on the fly with variable valve timing (VVT), using oil pressure routed through an oil control valve to swivel the cam. P0011 means the intake cam on bank 1 is more advanced than the computer commanded and it cannot pull it back. The single most common reason is oil related: a clogged oil control valve, a screen packed with sludge, or oil that is low, old, or the wrong weight, because VVT runs on clean oil at the right pressure.
Common symptoms
What drivers usually notice with this code.
- Rough idle or a noticeable stumble, sometimes with a light rattle at startup
- Hesitation, reduced power, or poor throttle response
- Check-engine light, sometimes flickering with the fault
- Worse fuel economy
- Occasional hard starting or stalling
Common causes
Ranked from most to least likely.
- 1Low, old, or wrong-viscosity engine oil, or an overdue oil change (check this first, it is the cheapest and most common cause)
- 2A clogged or stuck oil control valve (also called the VVT or VCT solenoid), often gummed up by sludge
- 3A blocked screen or filter feeding the oil control valve
- 4A faulty camshaft position sensor or wiring feeding the computer bad timing data
- 5A worn VVT actuator or cam phaser (a bigger job, more likely at high mileage)
- 6A stretched timing chain that has thrown the cam timing off mechanically
Can I keep driving?
You can usually drive short-term, but variable valve timing faults get worse with low or dirty oil and can cause rough running, so do not put this off for long.
Severity: Moderate. A flashing check-engine light always means stop, whatever the code says.
Ballpark cost
What P0011 usually costs to fix
A range, not a quote. What you pay depends on your vehicle, your area, and which of the causes above turns out to be the real one.
Typical parts and labor at an independent shop. Dealer rates run higher.
That spread is wide on purpose. P0011 points at a system, not a single part, so the real answer depends on what the diagnosis finds. Use the range to know what to expect. If an estimate comes in higher, it usually means the specific repair is more involved, and it is always fair to ask what is included.
Next steps
What to do next
Start with the oil, because it is both the likeliest cause and the cheapest to rule out: check the level and condition, and if it is overdue or dirty, a fresh oil change with the correct viscosity plus a new oil control valve fixes a large share of these. The oil control valve itself is usually an affordable part in an easy-to-reach spot. It is worth confirming clean oil and testing the solenoid before moving on to timing-chain or cam-phaser work, since the simpler fix solves a large share of these.
Walk in informed
Ask for the diagnosis in writing and which test confirmed it, so you understand exactly what is being fixed. Fixxr shows you what the job typically costs near you, so you can approve the work with confidence.
Sources & further reading
- NHTSA — Check for vehicle safety recalls — look up open recalls for your vehicle by VIN, free
- FTC — Auto repair basics — your consumer rights at the repair shop
- AAA — Car repair and maintenance costs — independent guidance on what repairs should cost
Cost ranges and guidance reviewed July 2026.
Keep exploring
What the repair costs
P0011 FAQ
P0011 questions, answered
Can I drive with a P0011 code?
You can usually drive short-term, but variable valve timing faults get worse with low or dirty oil and can cause rough running, so do not put this off for long.What does the P0011 code mean?
Modern engines adjust camshaft timing on the fly with variable valve timing (VVT), using oil pressure routed through an oil control valve to swivel the cam. P0011 means the intake cam on bank 1 is more advanced than the computer commanded and it cannot pull it back. The single most common reason is oil related: a clogged oil control valve, a screen packed with sludge, or oil that is low, old, or the wrong weight, because VVT runs on clean oil at the right pressure.What are the most common causes of a P0011 code?
The most likely causes, roughly in order, are low, old, or wrong-viscosity engine oil, or an overdue oil change (check this first, it is the cheapest and most common cause); a clogged or stuck oil control valve (also called the VVT or VCT solenoid), often gummed up by sludge; a blocked screen or filter feeding the oil control valve; a faulty camshaft position sensor or wiring feeding the computer bad timing data. Start with the oil, because it is both the likeliest cause and the cheapest to rule out: check the level and condition, and if it is overdue or dirty, a fresh oil change with the correct viscosity plus a new oil control valve fixes a large share of these. The oil control valve itself is usually an affordable part in an easy-to-reach spot. It is worth confirming clean oil and testing the solenoid before moving on to timing-chain or cam-phaser work, since the simpler fix solves a large share of these.How much does it cost to fix a P0011 code?
Fixing the underlying problem behind a P0011 code typically runs $130 to $910 at an independent shop, including parts and labor. The exact figure depends on your vehicle and which part turns out to be at fault.
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