P0010: A Camshaft Position Actuator A Control Circuit/Open Bank 1
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Driveable - expect softer response and worse economy until fixed.
Symptoms
- Rough idle
- Sluggish acceleration
- Rattle from the front of the engine on start
Likely causes, most common first
- Camshaft actuator solenoid failed or clogged with sludge
- Wiring or connector fault at the solenoid
- Low or dirty engine oil
- Timing chain wear
Read P0010 yourself before paying for diagnosis
A basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanner ($20-40) plugs into the port under the dashboard and shows this code with live sensor data on your phone - useful both for confirming the fix and for talking to a shop from an informed position.
What is going on and how it gets diagnosed
P0010 reports a fault in the circuit that drives the intake camshaft actuator on bank 1 - the solenoid that lets oil pressure rotate the camshaft to advance or retard valve timing. Variable timing is how modern engines get both low-end torque and high-end power, so losing it is felt rather than merely logged.
Oil is the first suspect, not the last. These solenoids meter oil through fine passages, and neglected oil changes block them long before the electrical part fails. Check level and condition, then measure the solenoid's resistance against specification - a genuinely open or shorted winding is easy to confirm and settles whether the cheap fix applies.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0010
“My 2015 Hyundai Sonata experienced Service Campaign TX3, TSB# 15-01-022, with an error code of P0010. My car was in the repair shop from Thursday, February 19th, until Thursday, February 26th, being repaired. This cost me roughly $2,300.00 out of pocket. When I attempted to file for reimbursement through Hyundai, I was told they were not reimbursing me. My car experienced failure the first of February. When my mechanic investigated what had happened, it was in fact, due to the service campaign.”2015 Hyundai Sonata · Feb 2026
“Engine sludge and failure. Engine part failure p0010 began happening within 1 year of Kia engine replacement. It is available for inspection. This creates a problem with acceleration in the vehicle, putting my family's and my safety at risk. This problem has been confirmed by the dealer. The check engine light is one. This part failure and engine sludge (despite consistent maintenance) has caused engine failure again, just 3 years after replacement.”2016 Kia Optima · Sep 2025
“Intake Camshaft, Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit and Brake Booster are the system that failed all in the same week. My safety is being put at risk because of the bad brake booster I almost rear end someone else. My car doesn't accelerate has it should initially which could cause a wreck. Problems has been confirmed by independent service center. My car has been inspected by mechanics. My engine light is on and when diagnosed the codes P0011-00 & P0010-00 pop up.”2015 Hyundai Sonata · Apr 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“Car engine light coming on because of codes P0010, constant oil changes, acceleration slows. Turns off a low idle. No low oil warning lights at all.”2014 GMC Terrain · Dec 2022
“This car has developed P0010 code which stands for "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit/open bank 1. Car idles roughly, shifts weirdly and has less power than before. I found that there is a TSB from KIA for the same issue but only for cars made in South Korea in 2016, mine was built in Dec. 2015 in Georgia plant so it doesn't qualify for this TSB and I'll have to pay out of pocket to fix this issue.”2016 Kia Optima · Sep 2022
“After cold start, car lost power and has set Check engine light codes P0010,P0011, made appointment with Springfield Huyandi, charged $289.33 for the diagnosis of engine oil sludge causing VVT issues. Huyandi will Not cover under warranty,recommended $1400.00 repair, with no help from Huyandi on repair bill.”2016 Hyundai Sonata · Feb 2022
“Excessive oil consumption-1-2 quarts per week Losing power almost comes to stop on highway-Dangerous Knocking noise at times from engine White smoke at times from tailpipe Rough high idling Code P1326 Code P0010 Hyundai is very aware these issues in their engines. Many complaints on Hyundai forms. Many articles written about these issues with their engines. Class action lawsuit against Hyundai about their engines. Hyundai corporate won't help nor will the local service department at the dealer. All they want to say it's out of warranty. Because the issue happened after 100000 mile warranty shouldn't mean Hyundai shouldn't fix the issue they are very aware of.”2015 Hyundai Sonata · Feb 2022
“FUEL SYSTEM; CODE P0230. CAM/CRANKSHAFT; solenoid circuit in BANK 1 CODE P0010. RADIO WIRING; Radio is smoking all the time BAD GROUND WIRE OR SHORT IN WIRES. MY VEHICAL STOPPED WHILE I WAS IN DRIVE MOTION GOING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. No injuries, and No fatalities BUT MY IMPALA STOPPED RUNNING AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO START IT SINCE. IN ADDITION NO ONE HAD GOT HURT, I WAS IN OPEN ROAD. I HAVE NOT HAD MY THE VEHICAL SERVICED OR DIAGNOSED BY A SERVICE CENTER. DUE TO A NO CRANK/NO START CONDITION. IT WILL NOT MOVE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WE HAD THE MIL on the dash say POWER ENGINE REDUCED. THAT'S WHEN AT HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAYS OR EXTENSIVE DRIVING PATTERNS.”2006 Chevrolet Impala · Sep 2021
“While trying to back up my engine stalls, engine stalls switching into drive and engine stalls while stopped at stop lights or stop signs. Was almost in several accidents today due to engine constantlystalling out. Check engine light came on reading code : P0010-00”2012 Chevrolet Equinox · Sep 2021
“Vehicle has 55000 miles and check engine light is on. In scanning the car I was told that p0010 the intake positions actuator circuit and p0013 exhaust camshaft position actuator circuit needed to be serviced to the tune of between 1200.00 and 1500.00 dollars which is normal for these cars I. Think this is bs I have oil changed every 2000 miles or 3 months with castrol dexos 5w30 and lucas oil stabilizer. Sounds like this should be covered by yhe manufacturer.”2014 Chevrolet Equinox · Mar 2021 · 55,933 mi
Cars that report P0010 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0010?
Driveable - expect softer response and worse economy until fixed.
How much does it cost to fix P0010?
Typical US repair costs range from $60 for the simplest fix (camshaft actuator solenoid) to $2,500 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0010. They often appear together, and telling them apart is usually what narrows the diagnosis.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.