P0014

B Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance Bank 1

Variable valve timing Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0014 means the exhaust camshaft on bank 1 is timed more advanced than the ECM commanded, or the variable-valve-timing system isn't responding correctly. The usual culprits are a dirty or stuck VVT oil-control solenoid, old or low engine oil, or a worn cam phaser. It shows up as rough running, hard starts and lost power.

High

Can I keep driving? Usually drivable short-term, but expect rough running, hard starts or stalling; fix soon to avoid accelerated timing-component wear.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

1,957

scans in the past year

Found in

0.3%

of scans

0.6%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0014 scans

P0011in 40.0% of scans

P0420in 23.6% of scans

P0300in 20.0% 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
Rough idle or rough running
Hard starting or occasional stalling
Reduced power and hesitation on acceleration
Rattle or ticking from the front of the engine (cam phaser)

Common causes

Most likely first

Dirty, low, or wrong-viscosity engine oil clogging the VVT (oil-control) solenoidLikely
Stuck or failed camshaft oil-control valve (VVT solenoid)Common
Stretched, worn, or jumped timing chain / worn cam phaserCommon
Faulty exhaust camshaft position sensorLess often
Damaged wiring or connector at the solenoid or sensorLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Check engine oil level and condition first — change oil and filter with the correct grade if it's dirty or low.
Inspect and test the camshaft oil-control (VVT) solenoid; clean or replace it.
Scan cam/crank correlation and check the timing chain, guides, and tensioner for wear.
Inspect the cam position sensor and its wiring/connector.
Replace the cam phaser if it's worn, then clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0014?+

For short trips usually, but rough running and hard starts can strand you, and running with wrong cam timing stresses the phaser and chain. Fix it promptly.

Can I just clear P0014?+

It will come back within a few drive cycles unless the cause — often a dirty VVT solenoid or old oil — is actually addressed. Try an oil change and solenoid clean first.

Read & clear P0014 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