What is the difference between P0016 and P0017?

P0016 is the intake cam correlation error on bank 1. P0017 is the exhaust cam correlation error on bank 1. Both point to the same timing system but involve different camshaft sensors.

Can an oil change prevent this code?

Regular oil changes reduce timing chain wear and keep VVT phasers working. They will not fix a chain that has already slipped, but they do prevent the gradual wear that leads here.

Will P0017 fail an emissions test?

Yes. Any stored powertrain code will fail an OBD emissions test. The code also needs to be addressed before the monitors can complete.

Codes › P0017

P0017: The crankshaft and exhaust cam positions do not match on the left side

Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B)

High severityCan you keep driving?

No. Cam-to-crank timing errors carry a real risk of engine damage if the timing chain has slipped. Drive only far enough to reach a shop or pull over safely.

What it means

P0017 is the exhaust-cam version of P0016. The crankshaft position sensor and the exhaust camshaft position sensor on bank 1 are reporting positions that do not agree with each other. The diagnosis path is the same: rule out a faulty sensor first, then look at the VVT phaser, then inspect the timing chain. On engines that use cam phasers on both intake and exhaust cams, a worn exhaust phaser is a frequent trigger at higher mileage.

Common causes

Stretched or jumped timing chainA slipped chain changes exhaust cam position relative to the crank, triggering correlation failure.
Faulty exhaust camshaft position sensorA failing sensor is cheaper to fix than a chain. Test or swap it first on lower-mileage engines.
Worn exhaust VVT phaserA phaser that slips out of the commanded position creates a false correlation error.
Faulty crankshaft position sensorLess common but possible. The crank sensor signal feeds both P0016 and P0017 calculations.

What it costs

Exhaust camshaft position sensor$120 to $280
Exhaust VVT phaser$450 to $1,100
Timing chain kit$900 to $2,500

Symptoms

Check engine light on
Rough idle or misfires
Hard start
Cold-start rattle from the timing chain area
Poor performance at all RPMs

What to do next

Stop driving beyond what is needed to reach a shop. A technician should scan live data to compare the cam and crank signals before opening the engine. If there is a cold-start rattle or the vehicle has over 100,000 miles without a timing chain service, prioritize a chain inspection. Do not clear the code and drive hoping it resolves on its own.

Lewis logs the live exhaust cam and crank sensor signals side by side so your technician can immediately see whether the mismatch is constant or only appears under load. Download Lewis.

Related codes

FAQ

What is the difference between P0016 and P0017?: P0016 is the intake cam correlation error on bank 1. P0017 is the exhaust cam correlation error on bank 1. Both point to the same timing system but involve different camshaft sensors.
Can an oil change prevent this code?: Regular oil changes reduce timing chain wear and keep VVT phasers working. They will not fix a chain that has already slipped, but they do prevent the gradual wear that leads here.
Will P0017 fail an emissions test?: Yes. Any stored powertrain code will fail an OBD emissions test. The code also needs to be addressed before the monitors can complete.