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
“Our Yukon was taken in for the recall. Dealer did the test and said it passed and used different oil. My wife and kids were driving to [XXX] from [XXX] yesterday. As they exited the highway, the car began acting weird. Then the car completely died. It was towed due to error code P0016. Dealer said they are going to put a new engine in. I saw online that cars with replacement engines were failing too? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”2024 GMC Yukon · Sep 2026
“Error code p0016 came up and I started investigating and found coolant intrusion which was a known defect during manufacturing by ford. I was driving normally when the vehicle accelerated really slowly after a stop which could have caused a traffic accident if it happened while in traffic”2018 Ford Escape · Sep 2026
“The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and DTC: P0016 was retrieved. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced due to catastrophic engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.”2019 GMC Sierra 1500 · Aug 2026 · 113,000 mi
Show 7 more owner reports
“As of august 19, 2026 my engine suffered a catastrophic failure with code P0016 which is cranckshaft camshaft lifter failure. Engine will be replaced. Currently at the dealership for replacement. Had the truck for 2 months and I'm requesting that GM fully replace my truck with a different one because I'm sick of hearing all the failures going on with the 6.2 engines. Such as my truck.”2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Aug 2026
“13 unresolved problem codes relating to hard engine starting,rough engine running,vehicle initiating safe mode operation, upon a highway trip. P0016 engine code detected and Onstar messaged for immediate service. No resolution at dealership , after resetting codes an additional 9 are active / pending at 2nd dealership visit. Abnormal engine operation since , dealership advises a hard failure has to occur before a resolution can be instituted. Similar advice from GMC direct phone call in help line.”2023 GMC Sierra 1500 · Aug 2026
“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 06/26/26, I was driving my 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 with 6.2 engine (Aug. 2024 engine build date) with 27,614 miles down the highway at 60-65mph and my RPMs started jumping and I lost engine power and received this P0016 error message. I was able to coast off the highway at the next exit but this put me and my family at risk. Once I was able to coast into a parking lot, my truck wouldn't start anymore. My dealer picked up my truck and the engine was on backorder and then was replaced and I got the truck back on 08/21/26.”2024 GMC Sierra 1500 · Jun 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
“The check engine light indicate P0016 crankshaft camshaft position. It has been diagnosed by a mechanic that the timing belt is stretched. Chevrolet has redesigned these parts due to the premature failure but has not issued a recall to install the redesigned parts.”2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Jun 2026
Cars that report P0016 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
P0016 by make
Makes with enough NHTSA reports of P0016 for a page of their own - which models and years report it.
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.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0016. 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.