P0011 — Intake Camshaft Position Over-Advanced (Bank 1)
P0011 means the intake camshaft on Bank 1 is in a more advanced position than the ECU commanded. It's common on VVT-equipped engines and often caused by oil maintenance issues rather than a hardware failure.
What Does P0011 Mean?
Variable Valve Timing (VVT) systems use oil pressure to adjust camshaft timing for performance and efficiency. P0011 is set when the intake cam is over-advanced — moved too far toward maximum advance and not returning to the commanded position. This can happen because the VVT solenoid is stuck open, or because sludge in the oil passages is preventing the cam phaser from moving freely.
Symptoms
- Rough idle, especially when cold
- Rattling noise on startup (cam phaser noise)
- Reduced power and poor fuel economy
- Hard starting
- Check engine light — sometimes with other cam/timing codes
Start with an Oil Change
Before replacing any parts, change the oil and filter if it's overdue or if the oil is dirty. Sludge from degraded oil is a common cause of P0011 on GM, Toyota, and other VVT engines. Many owners fix P0011 with an oil change and code clear alone. Use full synthetic oil of the correct specification.
Repair Cost
- Oil change (do this first): $75–$130
- VVT oil control solenoid replacement: $200–$500
- Cam phaser replacement: $600–$1,500 — labor-intensive
- Timing chain replacement (if chain has stretched): $900–$2,500
Which Vehicles Are Most Affected?
- GM 3.6L V6 (Buick, Cadillac, Chevy, GMC) — very common
- Toyota 2GR-FE 3.5L V6
- Ford EcoBoost engines with VCT
- BMW N52/N54/N55 inline-6 with VANOS
- Honda K-series and J-series engines
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