P0017

Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor B

Camshaft/crankshaft timing Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0017 means the engine computer sees the crankshaft and the Bank 1 "B" (usually exhaust) camshaft rotating out of their expected alignment. It most often points to a stretched or jumped timing chain, a worn variable valve timing phaser, or a cam/crank sensor fault. The engine may run rough, start hard, or in bad cases risk internal damage.

High

Can I keep driving? Risky — it may run rough or start hard; if the cause is a stretched or jumping timing chain, keep driving to a minimum to avoid valve and piston damage.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

1,181

scans in the past year

Found in

0.2%

of scans

0.3%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0017 scans

P0016in 31.8% of scans

P0014in 17.0% of scans

P0011in 14.1% 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 stalling
Hard starting or extended cranking
Reduced power and hesitation
Rattle from the timing chain area on a cold start

Common causes

Most likely first

Stretched or jumped timing chain, or a misaligned timing beltLikely
Worn or stuck variable valve timing (VVT) phaser/actuatorCommon
Stuck or clogged camshaft oil control valve, often from low or dirty oilCommon
Faulty camshaft (B) or crankshaft position sensorLess often
Damaged reluctor/tone wheel or wiring/connector faultsLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame and check engine oil level and condition — low or dirty oil is a common trigger for VVT faults.
Inspect the Bank 1 camshaft (B) and crankshaft position sensors and their wiring/connectors.
Test and clean the camshaft oil control valve; measure its resistance against spec.
Check the timing chain for stretch or guide wear (listen for cold-start rattle) and verify timing marks.
Repair or replace the faulty component, clear the code, and road-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0017?+

Not really — timing that's out of correlation can make the engine run rough or stall, and a jumped chain can cause serious internal damage on an interference engine. Keep driving to a minimum until it's diagnosed.

Can I just clear P0017?+

You can, but it returns on the next drive cycle unless the timing fault or sensor is fixed — and ignoring a stretched chain risks bent valves.

Read & clear P0017 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