Trouble code
P0016
Crankshaft / Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)
What P0016 means
The crankshaft and camshaft positions do not line up the way they should. Mechanically, the cam and crank are out of sync.
Symptoms you may notice
- Rough running
- Hard starting
- Rattle from the timing cover
- Loss of power
Common causes, cheapest first
- Stretched timing chain or jumped timing belt
- Failed chain tensioner or guides
- Failed VVT phaser
- Sensor or wiring fault
Before you buy anythingTreat this as mechanical until proven otherwise. A stretched chain that is ignored can jump far enough to cause valve-to-piston contact, which ends the engine.
What to do next
- Confirm the code with your own scan tool, or have it read free at a chain parts store.
- Decode your VIN so you know your exact engine and build date.
- Work down the causes above from cheapest to most expensive.
- Search NHTSA for a recall or service bulletin covering this symptom on your vehicle.
- Read the engine buying guide before ordering.
P0016 is a generic OBD-II code, standardized across every make and model sold in the US from 1996 onward. The meaning is the same on any vehicle; the specific part and its location are not.
Parts
Parts commonly needed for P0016
These go to Amazon. We earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you — see our affiliate disclosure. Which one you actually need depends on diagnosis — read the note above first.
Confirm fitment against your VIN on the listing page before ordering. A part that matches your year and model can still be wrong for your build date or engine code.