P0026

Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Range/Performance Bank 1

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0026?

Short trips are usually fine, but the engine may run rough and lose power. Since it often points to dirty or low oil, have it checked soon to prevent further wear.

Q: Can I just clear P0026?

It will return until the VVT solenoid, oil condition, or phaser is addressed. An overdue oil change is a common first fix.

Variable valve timing Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0026 means the ECM commanded the bank 1 intake valve-timing (VVT) solenoid, but the resulting camshaft position was out of the expected range. It's a performance fault rather than a wiring short, and it's frequently caused by dirty or low oil, a sticking solenoid, or clogged oil passages. The engine may idle rough and lose some power.

High

Can I keep driving? Usually drivable but not ideal — the engine may idle rough and lose some power. Fix it soon, since it often stems from dirty or low oil that can cause further wear.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

169

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

0.1%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0026 scans

P0027in 31.9% 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 or unstable idle
Reduced power and poor acceleration
Reduced fuel economy

Common causes

Most likely first

Dirty, low, or wrong-viscosity oil, or an overdue oil change restricting flowLikely
Stuck or faulty intake valve control (VVT) solenoid, bank 1Common
Clogged or dirty oil passages or the solenoid screenCommon
Worn camshaft phaserLess often
Wiring or connector problems at the solenoidLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Check engine oil level and condition first; change oil and filter if dirty or overdue.
Scan and read freeze-frame data to confirm conditions when the fault set.
Test the intake VVT solenoid; clean or replace it if it's sticking or out of spec.
Clean clogged oil passages and the solenoid screen.
Inspect wiring and connector, and replace the phaser only if it proves worn.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0026?+

Short trips are usually fine, but the engine may run rough and lose power. Since it often points to dirty or low oil, have it checked soon to prevent further wear.

Can I just clear P0026?+

It will return until the VVT solenoid, oil condition, or phaser is addressed. An overdue oil change is a common first fix.

Read & clear P0026 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