P0014: Exhaust Camshaft Timing Over-Advanced (Bank 1)
Key takeaways
- P0014 means the exhaust camshaft on bank 1 is sitting more advanced than the engine computer commanded, or not moving when told to.
- Check the oil level and condition first: low, old or wrong-grade oil is the most common reason the variable timing system can't hold the cam where it should.
- The next suspect is the exhaust oil control (VVT) solenoid, usually a $150 to $450 repair; a stuck cam phaser is less common and costs more.
- Short trips are usually fine, but a rattle at start-up, a rough idle or stalling means the timing chain or phaser needs a look before the engine is damaged.
What P0014 means
The camshaft that opens your exhaust valves is sitting further ahead in its timing than the engine computer asked for. Scanners call it “B” Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1). On an engine with variable valve timing, the computer uses an oil control solenoid to steer pressurized oil into a phaser on the end of the camshaft, then checks the cam position sensor against the crankshaft sensor to see where the cam actually landed. When the exhaust cam on bank 1 is more advanced than commanded, or won’t move when told to, P0014 sets. “Camshaft B” is the exhaust cam on most engines; bank 1 is the side with cylinder 1.
Is it safe to drive?
Short trips, usually yes. Most cars with P0014 run a little rough at idle, lose some power or fuel economy, and otherwise drive normally. What changes the answer: a rattle from the front of the engine, stalling, a hard start, or a flashing check engine light. Those point to a timing chain or phaser problem, and on most modern engines a chain that skips a tooth lets the valves hit the pistons. If you hear any of that, stop driving and have it towed.
Causes, ranked
| Cause | How you confirm it | Typical cost (US independent shop, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Low, old or wrong-grade oil | Dipstick reading, oil change history, sludge under the oil cap | $0–$120 (top up or oil change) |
| Sticking exhaust oil control (VVT) solenoid | Command it with a scan tool and watch cam position; check its resistance; look for debris on the screen | $150–$450 |
| Wiring or connector at the solenoid or cam sensor | Wiggle test, look for oil in the connector, check for chafing at the valve cover | $100–$250 |
| Exhaust cam position sensor | Compare the signal against the crank sensor on a scope | $150–$350 |
| Stuck or worn exhaust cam phaser | Cam won’t follow commands with a good solenoid and good oil pressure; rattle at cold start | $800–$2,000 |
| Stretched timing chain, worn guides or tensioner | Cam-to-crank correlation values out of range, often with P0016 or P0017 | $1,200–$3,000 |
What to check first
- Oil level and condition. Top up or change it with the grade the manufacturer specifies. Oil is the fluid that moves the cam, so this comes before any part.
- Other codes. P0014 alone points toward the exhaust side. With P0011 it points to something shared, like oil pressure or the chain. With P0016 or P0017 the chain moves up the list.
- Solenoid test. A shop commands the solenoid on and off and watches the cam respond. Debris on the solenoid screen is common and sometimes cleanable.
- Wiring and connectors at the solenoid and cam sensor, especially for oil wicking into the plug.
- Clear it and drive after an oil change. If P0014 does not return in a week of mixed driving, that was the answer.
- Phaser and chain last, and only after oil pressure and the solenoid check out.
Bulletins show a clear pattern. Ford and Lincoln describe small debris making the variable cam timing solenoid stick on several 2015–2021 engines; GM has bulletins on a sticking oil control valve bolt (2020–2021 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer) and on a harness short at the cam cover (2015–2018 Colorado and Canyon); Kia has one on the camshaft reluctor wheel for the Soul. Ask the shop to check for a bulletin on your exact car before replacing parts.
What it costs
The cheap outcome is an oil change, $50 to $120. The common outcome is an exhaust VVT solenoid at $150 to $450. The expensive outcome is a phaser ($800 to $2,000) or a timing chain job ($1,200 to $3,000), which is why a solenoid and oil pressure test, usually an hour of diagnosis, is worth paying for before anyone quotes a chain. If the engine also rattles, the rattling noise guide helps you describe it.
Related codes
P0014 often shows up with P0011 (the intake cam version) or with the correlation codes P0016 and P0017. P0010 or P0012 alongside it point to the intake-side circuit or retard direction. 155 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P0014; the Kia Soul (14), Chevrolet Equinox (12) and GMC Terrain (11) lead the list. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed cause.
What owners report to NHTSA
155 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P0014, 149 of them since 2015, across 46 different models. The component owners most often filed it under: engine.
Most-reported models
| Vehicle | Complaints | Model years reported |
|---|---|---|
| KIA SOUL | 14 | 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022 |
| CHEVROLET EQUINOX | 12 | 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017 |
| GMC TERRAIN | 11 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2023 |
| KIA SORENTO | 10 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 |
| CHEVROLET MALIBU | 9 | 2009, 2010, 2013, 2018, 2019 |
| HYUNDAI SONATA | 9 | 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 |
| KIA OPTIMA | 9 | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| HYUNDAI ELANTRA | 8 | 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| HYUNDAI SANTA FE | 7 | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 |
| KIA SPORTAGE | 6 | 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
Manufacturer service bulletins that name P0014
109 technical service bulletins and manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA mention P0014, from 16 makes. A bulletin means the manufacturer has documented a known cause or a fix procedure for that model. Examples:
- KIA SOUL (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), bulletin 10212199: PITSTOP: DTC P0011/ P0014/ P0016/ P0017 DUE TO INCORRECT CAMSHAFT RELUCTOR WHEEL CONFIGURATION - This Pitstop provides information on some 2010-2013MY Soul (AM), 2014-2019MY Soul (PS), and 2020~MY Soul (SK3) vehicles equ…
- CADILLAC CT4 (2021, 2022), bulletin 10213800: This Preliminary information communicates to the dealers information related to aMalfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated with Any Combination of DTCs P0011 P0014 P0016 P0017 Setting. Advises to perform Strategy Base…
- CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 (2021, 2022), bulletin 10213800: This Preliminary information communicates to the dealers information related to aMalfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated with Any Combination of DTCs P0011 P0014 P0016 P0017 Setting. Advises to perform Strategy Base…
- GMC SIERRA 1500 (2021, 2022), bulletin 10213800: This Preliminary information communicates to the dealers information related to aMalfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated with Any Combination of DTCs P0011 P0014 P0016 P0017 Setting. Advises to perform Strategy Base…
- GMC CANYON (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), bulletin 10235583: This technical bulletin provides a procedure to locate and repair a possible short in the wiring harness located at the camshaft cover or the cylinder head to correct customer concerns of Lack of Power, Reduced Power Dis…
- CHEVROLET COLORADO (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), bulletin 10235583: This technical bulletin provides a procedure to locate and repair a possible short in the wiring harness located at the camshaft cover or the cylinder head to correct customer concerns of Lack of Power, Reduced Power Dis…
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database and manufacturer communications file, snapshots September 2026. A complaint or bulletin that mentions a code is a report about that vehicle, not a statement that the code has one cause.
Frequently asked questions
Can an oil change fix P0014?
Sometimes. The cam phaser is moved by engine oil, so oil that is low, sludgy or the wrong viscosity can let the cam drift out of position. If the oil was overdue, change it with the grade on the oil cap or in the owner's manual, clear the code, and drive for a few days before buying parts.
What does bank 1 mean on P0014?
Bank 1 is the side of the engine that has cylinder 1. On a four-cylinder there is only one bank, so bank 1 is the whole engine. On a V6 or V8 it tells the shop which cylinder head to look at.
Is P0014 the same as P0011?
They are the same fault on different camshafts. P0011 is the intake cam (camshaft A) over-advanced; P0014 is the exhaust cam (camshaft B). If both set together, look first at something they share: oil level, oil pressure or the timing chain.
How long can I drive with P0014?
If the engine idles smoothly and makes no new noise, a few days of normal driving to reach a shop is usually fine. If it rattles, stalls or runs rough, park it: the problem may be mechanical, and running it can make a cheap repair expensive.