P000C Bank 2 intake camshaft slow to reach the position the computer commanded

A camshaft position slow response, bank 2 (variable valve timing)

Severity not verified — if the car runs badly, have it inspected

The sources reviewed define the code and tie it to specific repairs, but none grades how urgent it is, so no severity is claimed.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: Get it diagnosed soon if the engine stalls or runs rough. A Panamera owner reports a stall at about 30 mph with P000C stored, and Subaru and Jeep describe it alongside other cam-timing codes.

Source: how we rate severity

P000C in short

P000C means the bank 2 intake camshaft did not move to the position the engine computer asked for quickly enough. Weak oil-control-valve voltage, a failing cam timing solenoid or adjuster, and software are the documented causes on specific vehicles. Get it diagnosed soon, and stop driving if the engine stalls.

Variable valve timing lets the engine computer shift a camshaft ahead or behind its base position by sending oil to a phaser through a control valve. The computer compares where the cam actually is with where it asked it to be. P000C sets when the 'A' camshaft on bank 2 takes too long to get there.

Different makers have found different reasons. Subaru links P000A and P000C to reduced voltage at the oil control valves and has reprogramming files. Chrysler lists the code with a pair of intake solenoids to replace on the 3.6L, and a separate bulletin replaces intake camshafts that lack a feature on the nose. Porsche lists a failed camshaft adjuster among the reasons for this group of codes.

Because the repair depends on the make, a code reader alone does not say which part is at fault. A dealer can check whether a bulletin covers the vehicle.

Most likely causes

  1. Low voltage at the oil control valves, or engine computer software (some Subaru)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Subaru bulletin 11-154-15 offers reprogramming files for P000A and P000C when the oil control valve voltage is reduced, and 02-132-12R is a full AVCS diagnosis procedure that lists P000C. These are unverified bulletin summaries.
    What would change this
    Rises on a Subaru of the listed years if a dealer finds the computer is not on the newest calibration. Falls if the software is current and the valve voltage is normal.
    How to test the variable valve timing (vvt) oil control solenoid

  2. Intake variable valve timing solenoids (3.6L Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    FCA bulletin 09-009-16 replaces both intake VVT solenoids on 2016 Durango and Grand Cherokee when P000C appears with P0017, P0019 and P000A.
    What would change this
    Rises if P000A and P000C appear together on a 2016 Durango or Grand Cherokee. Falls if the solenoids test fine.
    How to test the variable valve timing (vvt) oil control solenoid

  3. Intake camshafts missing a feature on the nose (2016 Grand Cherokee and Durango)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    FCA bulletin 09-012-16 replaces both intake camshafts for P000A/P000C with P0300. It is the same family of vehicles as the solenoid bulletin, so the dealer decides which applies.
    What would change this
    Rises if the VIN is listed and the code comes with a misfire code. Falls if the camshafts already carry the revised part.

  4. Failed camshaft adjuster element (Porsche Cayenne and Panamera)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Porsche bulletin 122-S3R8H-06 lists P000C among the codes stored when an adjuster element fails, and a Panamera owner (complaint 11129078) had P000C with P1538 after a stall.
    What would change this
    Rises if several cam-adjuster codes appear together on these models. Falls if only P000C is stored and the adjuster tests normal.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all stored codes and freeze-frame data. Note whether P000A, P000B, P000D, P0011, P0021 or other cam-timing codes are stored with P000C.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfOther cam-timing codes are stored together with P000C

      It meansSubaru, Chrysler and Porsche all treat these as one group; check bulletins for your make.

      Go to step 2

    • IfP000C is the only code

      It meansStill check bulletins first, then have the cam timing parts tested.

      Go to step 2

  2. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has a software update, solenoid, camshaft or adjuster bulletin for P000C. Subaru, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Porsche have bulletins listing it.

    Low risk

  3. Have a shop command the cam timing solenoid with a bidirectional scan tool and check the cam position change, then check the supply voltage at the oil control valve.

    Best left to a shopTool: bidirectional scan tool, multimeter

    Warning:The test is done with the engine running, next to hot oil, moving belts or chains and live wiring. Let a technician do it.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light, sometimes with rough running
  • Loss of power or a stability-control light with the code on a Subaru (owner report)
  • Engine stalls while driving Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

  1. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has an open software update or cam timing bulletin for P000C before buying parts.

Parts and cost context

  • Variable valve timing (VVT) oil control solenoid:Oil control valves and VVT solenoids are the parts named in the Subaru and Chrysler bulletins. Test before replacing; labour varies, so get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Subaru

  • 2015 · Legacy

    Supported by vehicle data

    Subaru bulletin 11-154-15 reprograms the engine computer for P000A and P000C on 2015 Legacy and Outback. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2011–2015 · Impreza

    Supported by vehicle data

    Subaru bulletin 02-132-12R is the AVCS diagnosis procedure that lists P000C for 2011-2015 models including the Impreza. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 11-154-15Status unverified

    Reprogram for P000A and P000C (oil control valve voltage)

    2015legacy, outback · issued · NHTSA 10080724

    Reprogramming files for P000A and P000C, which may set when the voltage supplied to the oil control valves is reduced.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 02-132-12RStatus unverified

    Diagnosis and repair for AVCS-related DTCs including P000C

    2011–2015brz, forester, impreza, legacy, outback, xv-crosstrek · issued · NHTSA 10084253

    Diagnosis and repair procedure for the AVCS codes P000A, P000B, P000C, P000D, P0011, P0014, P0021 and P0024.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Jeep

  • 2016 · Grand Cherokee

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA bulletin 09-009-16 replaces both intake VVT solenoids when P000C sets on a 2016 Grand Cherokee. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 09-009-16 (jeep)Status unverified

    Replace both intake variable valve timing solenoids

    2016grand-cherokee · issued · NHTSA 10137053

    Replaces left and right intake VVT solenoids when P0017, P0019, P000A and P000C are set on the 3.6L.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 09-012-16 (jeep)Status unverified

    Intake camshaft replacement, P000A/P000C

    2016grand-cherokee · issued · NHTSA 10121703

    Replaces both intake camshafts that lack a feature on the camshaft nose when P000A/P000C and P0300 are set.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P000AIntake camshaft position slow response, bank 1: the bank 1 intake camshaft takes too long to reach the timing the engine computer commands

    Other bank Supported by vehicle data

    P000A is the same slow-response fault on bank 1. Subaru and FCA list P000A and P000C together.

  • P000DThe 'B' camshaft on bank 2 is slow to reach the timing position the engine computer commands

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    P000D is the slow response of the second camshaft on bank 2; Subaru lists it in the same AVCS diagnosis bulletin.

All Variable valve timing (VVT) codes

P000C questions

Can I keep driving with P000C?

The sources reviewed do not grade it. Get it diagnosed soon, and stop if the engine stalls or runs rough.

Does P000C mean the camshaft sensor is bad?

Not necessarily. The code says the cam was slow to reach its target. Subaru, Chrysler and Porsche point to oil control valves, solenoids, camshafts or an adjuster, or to software.

Sources and review

  1. NHTSA complaint 11129078: 2012 Porsche Panamera — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  2. Chrysler (FCA US) 09-009-16: Replace both intake variable valve timing solenoids — Chrysler (FCA US) (filed with NHTSA)
  3. Subaru 11-154-15: Reprogramming for P000A and P000C — Subaru (filed with NHTSA)
  4. Subaru 02-132-12R: Diagnosis and repair for AVCS-related DTCs — Subaru (filed with NHTSA)
  5. Chrysler (FCA US) 09-012-16: Camshaft replacement — Chrysler (FCA US) (filed with NHTSA)
  6. Porsche 122-S3R8H-06: Diagnosis of failed camshaft adjuster element — Porsche (filed with NHTSA)
  7. NHTSA complaint 11455221: 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  8. P000C trouble code page — TroubleCodes.net
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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