The Lemon IndexThe crankshaft and the bank 1 camshaft aren't lined up the way the computer expects.
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
Stretched timing chain or jumped belt. Then: worn chain guides or tensioner; faulty cam or crank sensor.
Owners named P0016 in 185 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the GMC Sierra.
Models that report it most
Complaints that name P0016, by model. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints. Tap a model for its years, mileage and what owners say fixed it.
P0016 by model: P0016 GMC Sierra (26) · P0016 Chevrolet Silverado (22) · P0016 Ford F-Series (21) · P0016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (11)
Years owners report it on most: 2021 Chevrolet Silverado · 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class · 2011 Ford F-Series · 2019 GMC Sierra · 2013 Ford F-Series · 2012 Ford F-Series
The details
What P0016 means
The crankshaft and the bank 1 camshaft aren't lined up the way the computer expects. That usually points to timing chain or belt problems, so it's worth checking early before it gets worse.
Can I drive with P0016?
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
21% of the owner complaints that name P0016 also say the car stalls or shuts off. A complaint can describe more than one problem, so this doesn't prove the code caused it.
Common causes of P0016
- Stretched timing chain or jumped belt
- Worn chain guides or tensioner
- Faulty cam or crank sensor
- Oil control (VVT) problem
A shop should confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
What owners describe
- Stalls or shuts off: 21% of complaints
- Loses power or goes into limp mode: 17% of complaints
- Shakes, runs rough or misfires: 14% of complaints
- Rattles or knocks: 11% of complaints
Share of complaints naming the code whose text also mentions each problem.
Model years that report P0016 most
2021 Chevrolet Silverado (11), 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (8), 2011 Ford F-Series (7), 2019 GMC Sierra (6), 2013 Ford F-Series (5), 2012 Ford F-Series (5).
Related codes
P0015 P0017 P0014 P0018 P0013 P0019 P0012 P0011
Quick answers
What does P0016 mean?
Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A). The crankshaft and the bank 1 camshaft aren't lined up the way the computer expects. That usually points to timing chain or belt problems, so it's worth checking early before it gets worse.
Can I drive with P0016?
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
What causes P0016?
Stretched timing chain or jumped belt; Worn chain guides or tensioner; Faulty cam or crank sensor; Oil control (VVT) problem.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text names P0016. A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis. Meanings: the standard SAE J2012 definitions in our own words; manufacturer codes only where verified for that make. General information, not repair advice for your car.