P0017: Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B)
Key takeaways
- P0017 means the engine computer sees the bank 1 exhaust camshaft out of step with the crankshaft by more than it allows.
- Check the oil level first; low or worn-out oil can upset the cam phaser and set this code on its own.
- The usual mechanical causes are a stretched timing chain, a weak tensioner or a stuck exhaust phaser; a chain job typically runs $1,200 to $3,000.
- Keep driving to a minimum: if the chain skips further, the valves can hit the pistons on most modern engines.
- 189 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P0017; the Chevrolet Traverse accounts for 25, mostly 2010 and 2011 models.
What P0017 means
Your engine’s exhaust camshaft and crankshaft on bank 1 aren’t lined up the way they should be. Scanners call it Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B). The computer compares the crankshaft position sensor signal with the bank 1 camshaft “B” sensor, which reads the exhaust cam on most engines. When the angle between them drifts past a set limit, P0017 sets. Bank 1 is the side with cylinder 1; a four-cylinder has only bank 1.
Is it safe to drive?
Short trips only, and gently. P0017 is a high-severity code because one of its causes, a stretched or jumped timing chain, can get worse suddenly. On most modern engines the valves and pistons share space, so a chain that skips further can bend valves. What changes the answer: a rattle from the front of the engine, a rough idle, stalling or a hard start. With any of those, stop and tow it.
Causes, ranked
| Cause | How you confirm it | Typical cost (US independent shop, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Low, old or wrong-grade oil | Dipstick, 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 respond | $150–$450 |
| Cam or crank sensor, wiring or tone ring | Scope both signals; look for a crank sensor code or oil in connectors | $150–$350 |
| Stretched timing chain or worn guides | Cam-to-crank correlation values out of spec on a scan tool; rattle at start-up; often with P0016 | $1,200–$3,000 |
| Weak timing chain tensioner | Rattle for a few seconds on a cold start; slack visible with the cover off | Usually done with the chain, $1,200–$3,000 |
| Stuck or worn exhaust cam phaser | Cam won’t follow commands with good oil and a good solenoid | $800–$2,000; often done with the chain |
| Engine computer software | A bulletin for your car calls for a reprogram | $100–$200 |
What to check first
- Oil level and condition. Fill or change it with the specified grade. The phasers run on oil pressure.
- Every stored code. P0017 with P0016 or P0018 points to the chain. P0017 with P0014 points to the exhaust side: solenoid or phaser. P0017 with P0335 points to the crank sensor.
- Listen at cold start. A two-to-five-second rattle from the front of the engine points to the tensioner or chain.
- Read correlation values. Many scan tools show cam-to-crank angle; a shop compares it with spec before opening anything.
- Solenoid, sensors and wiring, then the chain, tensioner and phaser.
- Don’t just clear it and drive. If the chain has stretched, the code will come back, and driving in the meantime is the risky part.
Bulletins show a pattern: Subaru (Forester and BRZ) and Mitsubishi (Eclipse Cross) released engine computer reprograms for this code family; Honda has a 2023 Accord Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid bulletin on an incorrectly machined crank sensor mounting; GM covers a combined P0011/P0014/P0016/P0017 condition on 2021–2022 Silverado, Sierra and CT4; Kia covers a camshaft reluctor wheel issue on the Soul.
What it costs
The cheap outcome is an oil change, $50 to $120. The common outcomes are a solenoid or sensor at $150 to $450. The expensive outcome is a timing chain, guides, tensioner and often phasers at $1,200 to $3,000, more on some V6 and V8 engines. An hour of diagnosis that reads the correlation values is money well spent first. If the engine rattles, the rattling noise guide helps you describe it; if it quits on the road, see car stalls while driving.
Related codes
P0017 often comes with P0016, P0014 or P0011. 189 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P0017. The Chevrolet Traverse accounts for 25 (2011 has 11 and 2010 has 9), the Chevrolet Equinox for 16, and the Mercedes-Benz E350 and Kia Soul for 11 each. The GMC Acadia adds 8. These are owner reports, not confirmed causes.
What owners report to NHTSA
189 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P0017, 172 of them since 2015, across 50 different models. The component owners most often filed it under: engine.
Most-reported models
| Vehicle | Complaints | Model years reported |
|---|---|---|
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | 25 | 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 |
| CHEVROLET EQUINOX | 16 | 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 |
| MERCEDES-BENZ E350 | 11 | 2006, 2007, 2009 |
| KIA SOUL | 11 | 2020, 2021, 2022 |
| GMC ACADIA | 8 | 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| SATURN AURA | 7 | 2007 |
| CHEVROLET MALIBU | 7 | 2009, 2011, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| BUICK ENCLAVE | 7 | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 |
| GMC TERRAIN | 7 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2023 |
| HYUNDAI KONA | 7 | 2019, 2020, 2021 |
Manufacturer service bulletins that name P0017
140 technical service bulletins and manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA mention P0017, from 21 makes. A bulletin means the manufacturer has documented a known cause or a fix procedure for that model. Examples:
- SUBARU FORESTER (2023, 2024, 2017, 2018), bulletin 11005592: "This bulletin announces availability of new reprograming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) developed to remedy the following DTCs: P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0087."
- SUBARU BRZ (2022, 2023, 2024), bulletin 11009691: "This bulletin announces availability of new reprograming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) developed to remedy the following DTCs: P0016: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor A P0017…
- HONDA CR-V HYBRID (2023), bulletin 10239704: Service Bulletin - Affected vehicles may be equipped with an incorrectly machined engine block at the crankshaft position sensor (CKP) mounting location. Vehicles may experience a no start condition, low speed rough idle…
- HONDA ACCORD HYBRID (2023), bulletin 10239703: Service Bulletin - The vehicle may experience a no start condition, low speed rough idle, engine RPM hunting, or have the following DTCs set P0017 (Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor B and Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Co…
- MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), bulletin 10200031: This Technical Information Notice was sent to dealers providing instructions for reprogramming the Engine Control Module pertaining to DTC P0010 - P0017.
- 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…
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
Is P0017 serious?
It can be. The cheap causes are oil and a sticking solenoid, but the expensive one, a stretched timing chain, can get worse without warning. Treat it as a get-it-checked-this-week code, and stop driving if the engine rattles, stalls or runs rough.
What is the difference between P0017 and P0016?
Both mean the cam and crank are out of step on bank 1. P0017 is camshaft sensor B, usually the exhaust cam; P0016 is sensor A, usually the intake cam. When both set together, the timing chain is the leading suspect because it drives both cams.
Can low oil cause P0017?
Yes. The cam phasers are moved by engine oil pressure, and on some engines being a quart or two low, or overdue for a change, is enough to set it. Top up or change the oil with the specified grade, then see whether it comes back.
Will a new cam sensor fix P0017?
Only if the sensor is the problem, which is less common than oil, the solenoid or the chain. A shop can compare cam and crank signals on a scope in a few minutes; ask for that before buying a sensor.