P000A

A Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 1

Q: Is it safe to drive with P000A?

Short-term, usually yes — the cam is adjusting too slowly rather than failing outright. Address it soon, because low oil pressure behind it can cause further wear.

Q: Can I just clear P000A?

It will come back on the next drive cycle unless the oil, solenoid, or phaser cause is corrected.

Variable valve timing Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P000A means the bank 1 intake ("A") camshaft is responding too slowly when the ECM commands a variable-valve-timing change. It's usually an oil or solenoid problem — the cam phaser relies on clean engine oil at the right pressure to move quickly. It's not typically a no-start, but it should be fixed before the underlying oil or actuator wear gets worse.

High

Can I keep driving? Usually still drivable, but expect a cold-start rattle, rough idle, or slight power loss; fix it soon since the same oil/VVT problem can worsen.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

253

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

0.1%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P000A scans

P0011in 24.5% of scans

P000Bin 20.6% of scans

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Brief rattle from the timing area at cold start
Rough or unstable idle
Slight loss of power or hesitation
Reduced fuel economy

Common causes

Most likely first

Low or dirty engine oil, or a restricted oil passage starving the cam phaserLikely
Stuck or sluggish VVT (cam) oil-control solenoid on bank 1Common
Worn or binding variable-cam-timing phaserCommon
Faulty bank 1 camshaft position sensorLess often
Damaged or corroded wiring/connector at the solenoid or sensorLess often
Faulty ECM (rare)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and check for related VVT or cam codes.
Check oil level and condition, and confirm the correct grade — VVT actuators depend on clean oil pressure.
Test the cam oil-control solenoid for correct resistance and free operation; clean or replace if sticky.
Inspect the solenoid and cam-sensor wiring and connectors.
If the actuator responds slowly with good oil and a good solenoid, inspect the cam phaser for wear.
Clear the code and re-test after an oil service to confirm the fix.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P000A?+

Short-term, usually yes — the cam is adjusting too slowly rather than failing outright. Address it soon, because low oil pressure behind it can cause further wear.

Can I just clear P000A?+

It will come back on the next drive cycle unless the oil, solenoid, or phaser cause is corrected.

Read & clear P000A yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX