P0016 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)
P0016 is a generic OBD2 powertrain code. It means “Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)” — the same on every make and model, because the definition comes from the SAE J2012 standard rather than from the carmaker.
Ask the AI about P0016 on your car- System
- Powertrain (P)
- Code type
- Generic (SAE)
- Range
- P00xx
- Urgency
- High
What P0016 means
The computer compares the crankshaft position sensor with a camshaft position sensor on bank 1. The two no longer line up the way they should — the camshaft is out of step with the crankshaft.
Symptoms
- Hard starting or long cranking
- Rough running and loss of power
- A rattle from the timing chain area, especially on a cold start
- Sometimes stalling
Most likely causes
- A stretched timing chain, or a belt that has jumped a tooth
- A camshaft phaser stuck out of position
- Low or dirty oil upsetting the variable valve timing
- A faulty camshaft or crankshaft sensor, or a damaged reluctor ring
What to check first
- Check the oil level and condition
- Listen for chain rattle on a cold start
- Have the actual cam-to-crank timing checked before replacing sensors — this code is often the chain, not the sensor
Can I keep driving with P0016?
Limit driving — get it checked promptly
Keep driving to a minimum and get it diagnosed promptly. If the chain has stretched or the belt jumped a tooth, it can skip further — on many engines that means valves hitting pistons and a wrecked engine.
What the wording tells you
“Correlation” means two signals that should agree don’t. Either sensor can be at fault — or neither: a mechanical problem, such as a stretched timing chain or a vacuum leak, can make two healthy sensors disagree.
Bank 1: engines with two rows of cylinders — V6, V8, boxer — have two banks. Bank 1 is the side that holds cylinder 1, bank 2 the other side; an inline engine has only bank 1.
How P0016 breaks down
Powertrain. Engine, transmission, fuel and emissions — the codes behind the check engine lamp.
Generic code: defined by SAE, the same on every make.
Fuel & air metering and emission controls.
The specific fault within this range.
Where to look: Fuel & air metering and emission controls
Codes in these ranges cover the parts that decide how much air and fuel reach the engine and how the exhaust is treated on the way out: variable valve timing, oxygen-sensor heaters, turbo boost control, the electronic throttle and accelerator pedal, intake runners, NOx sensors and — on diesels — the particulate filter and the AdBlue (SCR) system.
All P00xx codes →Ask the AI about P0016 on your car
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Read and clear P0016 on your iPhone
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Frequently asked
What does P0016 mean?
P0016 is a generic OBD2 powertrain code. It means “Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)” — the same on every make and model, because the definition comes from the SAE J2012 standard rather than from the carmaker. The computer compares the crankshaft position sensor with a camshaft position sensor on bank 1. The two no longer line up the way they should — the camshaft is out of step with the crankshaft.
Can I drive with P0016?
Keep driving to a minimum and get it diagnosed promptly. If the chain has stretched or the belt jumped a tooth, it can skip further — on many engines that means valves hitting pistons and a wrecked engine.
What causes P0016?
A stretched timing chain, or a belt that has jumped a tooth; A camshaft phaser stuck out of position; Low or dirty oil upsetting the variable valve timing; A faulty camshaft or crankshaft sensor, or a damaged reluctor ring.
How do I clear P0016?
Fix the cause first, then clear it with any OBD2 scanner or app. Once the fault is gone the car also clears it on its own: the check engine lamp goes off after the self-test passes on three drive cycles in a row, and the stored code ages out after about 40 warm-ups. Clearing without a repair only hides it for a while — and resets the readiness monitors an emissions inspection looks at.
Is P0016 the same on every car?
Yes. P0016 is a generic SAE J2012 code, so its definition is identical on every make and model. What differs is the cause behind it and the repair procedure, which depend on the engine — that’s why the assistant on this page asks for your car.
Guides
Definitions: the generic SAE J2012 codes from Brimly’s offline dictionary (data version 2026.09). Causes and advice are general guidance for all makes — the service information for your car has the last word.