All codes › P0012
P0012: "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)
What it means
Bank 1 intake cam timing is more retarded than commanded, frequently set right after a cold start.
Severity: Medium Usually a hard-start or rough-cold-idle issue; persistent cases point to chain wear.
Common causes
- Sludgy or wrong-viscosity oil
- Stuck oil control solenoid
- Cam phaser locked in retard
- Stretched timing chain
Most common causes first. Exact causes vary by make, model and engine.
Can I fix it myself?
Often DIY. Fresh correct-viscosity oil fixes many P0012s; next step is the intake solenoid.
Repair cost
SEEDED ESTIMATE Roughly $110–$540
Most likely repair: vvt/oil control solenoid. Diagnosis fees, taxes and other causes are not included.
| Line | Low | High | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| VVT/oil control solenoid | $60 | $303 | Typical listed retail range, source ($454–$595 outliers excluded) |
| Labor 0.5–1.5 hr | $50 | $240 | $100–$160/hr, shop survey |
⚠️ This is an editorial placeholder range for this type of repair. It is not based on real invoices or licensed pricing data yet. Real ranges will appear here once enough reader invoices for P0012 are verified.
Verified reader invoices for P0012: 0. Share your repair bill to help build real costs.
Tools that can read P0012
- ScanFixAI: Pro $29.99/mo or $249.99/yr
- OBDAI: Annual PRO bundle $299
- BlueDriver Pro Next-Gen: $119.95 list ($99.95 sale seen)
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