P0022: Intake Camshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 2)
Key takeaways
- P0022 means the engine computer asked the bank 2 intake camshaft to move back (retard) and it ended up further back than commanded, or didn't come back out.
- It only appears on V6, V8 and flat engines, because four-cylinder engines have no bank 2.
- Variable valve timing runs on engine oil pressure, so low oil or the wrong viscosity is the first thing to check and the cheapest fix.
- The usual parts answer is the oil control (VVT) solenoid at $150–$450; a cam phaser or timing chain is the expensive end at $800–$3,000.
- Ford bulletins for the 2019–2020 F-150 5.0L say to check the oil level first, then replace only the VCT solenoid tied to the code.
What P0022 means
The intake camshaft on the second side of your engine is sitting later in its timing than the computer told it to. The scanner name is Intake Camshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 2), sometimes shown as “A” Camshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded. On engines with variable valve timing, the computer uses an oil control solenoid to send oil pressure to a phaser on the end of the camshaft, which rotates the cam a few degrees ahead of or behind the crankshaft. It compares the camshaft position sensor with the crankshaft sensor, and when the bank 2 intake cam stays further retarded than commanded for long enough, it sets P0022. Bank 2 is the side without cylinder 1, so this code only shows up on V6, V8 and flat engines. It is the bank 2 twin of P0012.
Is it safe to drive?
Short trips, to get it checked. Most cars with P0022 still run, but with less power, worse fuel economy, and sometimes a rough idle or a stall when you come to a stop. The bigger reason not to put it off is that the most common causes involve oil: if the engine is low, or the timing chain is stretching, driving on it makes the repair bigger. What changes the answer: an oil pressure warning light, a loud rattle or knock from the front of the engine that doesn’t fade after a few seconds, or stalling in traffic. Any of those, park it and check the oil before going further.
Causes, ranked
| Cause | How you confirm it | Typical cost (US independent shop, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Low oil, wrong viscosity or overdue oil change | Dipstick low or dark and thick; code appeared after an oil change or a long interval | $50–$120 |
| Bank 2 oil control (VVT) solenoid sticking | Scan tool command doesn’t move the cam; debris on the solenoid screen; resistance out of spec | $150–$450 |
| Wiring or connector at the solenoid | Open or high resistance in the circuit; oil wicked into the connector | $100–$250 |
| Engine computer software (some Ford models) | A bulletin for your exact model and year names P0022 | $100–$200, or free under warranty |
| Bank 2 cam phaser worn or stuck | Solenoid tests good but the cam still won’t follow commands; rattle on cold start | $800–$2,000 |
| Stretched timing chain or worn guides | Correlation codes such as P0018 too; rattle; chain slack on inspection | $1,200–$3,000 |
What to check first
- Check the oil level and condition on level ground with the engine off. Top it up or change it with the viscosity on the oil cap, then clear the code and drive.
- Read every stored code. P0022 alone points at the bank 2 solenoid or phaser. P0022 with P0012 points toward oil or the chain, which both banks share.
- Command the solenoid with a scan tool and watch actual versus desired cam angle. If the cam doesn’t move, pull the solenoid and look for sludge or debris on its screen. Where the bank 1 and bank 2 solenoids are the same part, swapping them and seeing whether the code moves to P0012 is a cheap test.
- Check the solenoid’s resistance and wiring before buying the part.
- Look up bulletins for your car. Ford and Lincoln bulletins covering many 2015–2021 models say small debris can stick the VCT solenoid and tell technicians to cycle it ten times before replacing it. On the 2019–2020 F-150 5.0L, Ford says to check the oil level first, then replace only the solenoid tied to the code; the 2020–2021 Transit 3.5L gets a computer update.
- Only then look at the phaser and chain. That’s a bigger teardown, and it’s where a second opinion pays off.
What it costs
The cheap outcome is an oil change or top-up with the right oil, $50–$120, and the code doesn’t come back. The common outcome is a VVT solenoid at $150–$450. The expensive outcome is a cam phaser at $800–$2,000 or a timing chain job at $1,200–$3,000, which is why a $100–$180 diagnosis that actually commands the solenoid is worth paying for before anyone opens the engine.
Related codes
P0022 often shows up with P0021 (same cam, over-advanced), the bank 1 twin P0012, the bank 2 solenoid circuit code P0020, or the bank 2 exhaust cam code P0024. Several cam codes at once on both banks points to oil or the timing chain rather than one solenoid. For what the light itself means, see can I drive with the check engine light on.
What owners report to NHTSA
18 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P0022, 14 of them since 2015, across 9 different models. The component owners most often filed it under: engine.
Most-reported models
| Vehicle | Complaints | Model years reported |
|---|---|---|
| FORD F-150 | 7 | 2004, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| FORD EXPEDITION | 3 | 2006, 2007 |
Manufacturer service bulletins that name P0022
15 technical service bulletins and manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA mention P0022, from 2 makes. A bulletin means the manufacturer has documented a known cause or a fix procedure for that model. Examples:
- FORD EDGE (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), bulletin 10194428: Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to sma…
- LINCOLN AVIATOR (2020, 2021, 2017, 2018), bulletin 10194428: Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to sma…
- FORD TRANSIT (2020, 2021), bulletin 10199525: Some 2020 Transit vehicles equipped with a 3.5L Duratec engine and all 2021 Transit vehicles built on or before 01-Jul-2021 may experience an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DT…
- FORD TAURUS POLICE INTERCEPTOR (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017), bulletin 10201050: Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to sma…
- LINCOLN MKC (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), bulletin 10169986: Some 2015-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to sm…
- FORD FIESTA (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), bulletin 10169986: Some 2015-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to sm…
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 low oil cause P0022?
Yes, and it's the first thing to rule out. The cam phaser is moved by oil pressure, so an engine low on oil, oil of the wrong viscosity, or sludge in the solenoid screen can leave the cam stuck retarded. Ford's own F-150 5.0L bulletins start with checking the oil level.
Is P0022 serious?
It's not an emergency on its own, but don't ignore it. The engine loses power and economy and may idle rough or stall, and if the cause is low oil or a stretched timing chain, the repair gets bigger the longer it runs.
What's the difference between P0012 and P0022?
Same fault, other side of the engine. P0012 is the bank 1 intake cam, on the side with cylinder 1; P0022 is bank 2. Both together point to something the whole engine shares, like oil or the timing chain, rather than one solenoid.
How much does it cost to fix P0022?
An oil change with the right oil is $50–$120. A VVT solenoid is usually $150–$450. A cam phaser runs $800–$2,000 and a timing chain job $1,200–$3,000 at an independent shop. Diagnosis first, $100–$180, keeps you from buying the wrong one.