P0016: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor A
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Minimize driving until diagnosed - if the timing chain has jumped, continued running can escalate to valve damage on interference engines.
Symptoms
- Hard start or no-start
- Rattling from the timing cover
- Noticeable power loss, rough running
Likely causes, most common first
- Stretched timing chain or jumped tooth (the serious one)
- Failed tone wheel or reluctor alignment
- Crank or cam sensor fault
- Oil-flow problems disturbing the phaser
Read P0016 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
P0016 means the crankshaft and bank 1 camshaft are out of step with each other - their position signals do not correlate the way the engine's geometry demands. Sensors can lie, but a stretched or jumped timing chain is the scenario that makes this code worth respecting.
A competent shop verifies mechanical timing before anything else on this code. On interference engines - most modern ones - pistons and valves share space, separated only by correct timing; running an engine whose chain has jumped is gambling with the entire cylinder head.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0016
“Vehicle's replacement motor from GM recall (2nd motor) failed at 6200 miles. Rear tires briefly lock up causing slight swerving before the system shifted to "N"eutral. Upon restart, starter was unable to crank over seized engine. DTC confirmed P0016 crank shaft position out of alignment.”2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Jul 2026
“I was driving and my check engine light came on a mile from my house. I drove home and the next morning, I started my truck. It was loud and pulsating like it wanted to stall out. I had it towed to a repair shop. They plugged into the truck and said it was giving code P0016. I had it towed to another place and that it is where it is sitting now. I also received a email from onstar saying "A critical issue with the engine and transmission system in your 2021 GMC sierra Crew Cab has been detected. P0016 was detected. I searched my VIN # and it says that there are no recalls on my truck. I do see that there was a silent recall on the engine that is in my truck.”2021 GMC Sierra 1500 · Jul 2026
“On June 15, 2026, my check engine light came on. On June 17, 2026, I took it to Auto Zone, they checked the code for the check engine light, and it indicated P0016 and P0017–crankshaft issues. On June 19, 2026, while driving down the highway, my vehicle failed to accelerate. I exited the highway, and my vehicle completely decelerated and ultimately shut down. I was unable to get my engine running and had to get it towed to the dealer. It has been at the dealer for 3 weeks now. The dealer said my engine will likely need to be replaced. It is a 2023 Kia Telluride with less than 66,000 miles on it.”2023 Kia Telluride · Jun 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle began jerking motions and misfiring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with a cam shaft failure and diagnostic codes P0016, P0101. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000”2014 Chevrolet Cruze · May 2026 · 82,000 mi
“Engine ceased while driving and shutdown. Towed to dealership. Dealership ran diagnostic test and code P0016 came up. Its 6.2 engine has recall on other years with similar issues”2019 GMC Sierra 1500 · Apr 2026
“The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it failed to start up. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed DTC: P0016 was retrieved. The contact was informed that the camshaft position correlator and crankshaft and intake were not aligned and needed to be realigned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 965,162.”2008 Chevrolet Malibu · Apr 2026 · 965,162 mi
“Engine has developed a miss and has check engine code P0300 random misfires. There are subcodes pending of P0011 and P0016 indicating Crank and Cam misalignment. This has all the classic signs for a failing engine. I am taking this truck in for the GM Picoscope test, the oil was changed to 0w40 mobile one supercar oil approx. 2,800 miles ago when the truck was under Powertrain warranty. I will preform a Blackstone oil test to determine if there is abnormal engine wear. My truck is not in the vin. recall range.”2021 Chevrolet Tahoe · Apr 2026
“truck shut off while driving in traffic managed to steer it off the road, towed to dealership with p0016 code as well as a bunch of others. known recall issue passed gm pico test a month earlier. now when I log in here to view recalls it says 0 recalls not repaired. Now truck has to get a new engine.”2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Mar 2026
“L87 engine failure 4 months after it passed the recall test. Experienced shuddering and rpm fluctuation with the cruise control set. Was thinking torque converter. Got it replaced under warranty and the the issues were still there. A week after new TC the truck was running very rough driving down the road. Check engine light along with a low oil Pressure warning and Lost all engine power going 60mph. Would not re fire. Had to coast to a stop with no headlights on only fog lights. Truck is at dealership now will be needing a new engine. P0016 engine code. The truck was in the shop multiple times for misfire and rpm's jumping and cruise control turning off on its own.”2021 GMC Sierra 1500 · Mar 2026
“engine failure from the connecting rod and/or crankshaft. There is a current recall for this and my vehicle should be a part of it. I broke down on the side of a highway and had the vehicle towed to GMC dealership. There are now warning lights on with code P0016 and P0324”2021 GMC Yukon XL · Mar 2026
Cars that report P0016 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0016?
Minimize driving until diagnosed - if the timing chain has jumped, continued running can escalate to valve damage on interference engines.
How much does it cost to fix P0016?
Typical US repair costs range from $150 for the simplest fix (sensor replacement) to $6,000 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.