P0015 Exhaust camshaft timing too far behind its target (bank 1)

P0015 "B" camshaft position timing over-retarded, bank 1

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The engine usually keeps running, but the sources describe hard starts, low power, stalling and rough running, and advise a professional check to avoid internal engine damage, so do not leave it for long.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: Inspect soon if the engine stalls, starts hard, loses power, or an oil pressure warning shows. The Mazda bulletin ties P0015 to a drop in oil pressure.

Source: how we rate severity

P0015 in short

P0015 means the exhaust camshaft on bank 1 is running behind the timing the computer asked for. Low or dirty oil, a stuck oil control valve, or a clogged phaser are the usual causes. The car often drives, but stalling or a hard start means get it checked soon.

Variable valve timing uses oil pressure, controlled by a solenoid called the oil control valve, to turn a phaser on the camshaft. The computer compares the camshaft sensor signal to the crankshaft signal. If the bank 1 exhaust camshaft stays behind its target, it sets P0015.

Because the system runs on oil, oil level, oil grade and oil flow come first. A valve stuck open, clogged oil passages in the phaser, or the wrong oil viscosity can all leave the phaser stuck retarded. An open circuit in the valve wiring or the computer can do the same.

Some makers have found model-specific causes. Mazda traced P0015 with P0524 on 2012-2016 Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5 to a foreign object stuck on the oil pump relief valve or oil control valve, and Ford has bulletins that cover the VCT solenoids and PCV hose on 2013 Fusion and Escape.

Most likely causes

  1. Low, dirty or wrong-grade engine oil

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    The phaser is moved by engine oil, so oil level, condition and viscosity are the first things the source pages check before parts.
    What would change this
    Rises if the oil is low, sludgy or the wrong grade. Falls if a fresh oil change at the right level does not change the code.

  2. Oil control valve (VVT solenoid) stuck open or failing

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    A valve stuck open is the first cause the source lists, and it is the part that sends oil to the phaser.
    What would change this
    Rises if the commanded and actual cam angle disagree on a scan tool and the valve is dirty or its wiring tests bad. Falls if the valve and its screen are clean and it responds to commands.
    How to test the variable valve timing (vvt) oil control solenoid

  3. Camshaft phaser stuck retarded or oil passages clogged

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    The source names a phaser held retarded by damaged or clogged oil passages as a main cause, and it is the usual result when sludge or debris reaches the phaser.
    What would change this
    Rises if the valve works but cam timing still lags, or oil is known to be sludged. Falls if timing follows commands once the oil and valve are cleared.

  4. Debris in the oil pump relief valve or oil control valve (Mazda 2012-2016)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Mazda bulletins 01-009-16-3172 (and A/B) cover 2012-2016 Mazda3, 2014-2016 Mazda6 and 2013-2016 CX-5 with rough idle, P0015 and P0524 from a foreign object stuck in the oil circuit. Only the NHTSA summary was read, so it stays vehicle data.
    What would change this
    Rises on an affected Mazda with P0524 stored too. Falls on other makes or when oil pressure codes are absent.

  5. VCT solenoids and PCV hose (Ford 2013 Fusion and Escape)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford TSB 13-5-33 lists P0011, P0016, P0015 and P0017 on 2013 Fusion and Escape and names the VCT oil control solenoids and PCV hose. Only the summary was read, so the exact repair is not stated here.
    What would change this
    Rises on an affected Ford with other cam timing codes. Falls on other vehicles.
    How to test the variable valve timing (vvt) oil control solenoid

  6. Camshaft sensor or wiring fault giving a false timing reading

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    The source lists an open circuit in the valve or computer, and a bad cam signal can make timing look wrong. It ranks low because the oil and valve causes are more common.
    What would change this
    Rises if the cam sensor signal is weak or the valve connector is damaged. Falls if sensor and wiring test normal.
    How to test the camshaft position sensor

What to test first

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

  1. Check the oil level and condition on the dipstick, and confirm the oil grade matches the owner manual.

    Low risk

  2. Ask a dealer whether the vehicle is covered by a bulletin for cam timing codes. Mazda, Ford and Lexus have issued some.

    Low risk

  3. Watch commanded and actual exhaust cam angle on a scan tool, and command the valve if the tool allows it.

    Low riskTool: scan tool with live data

Symptoms

  • Check engine light with rough or shaky idle
  • Low power or hesitation
  • Hard start or long crank
  • Engine stalls or the oil pressure warning shows Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Rough idle with the check engine light on

How to fix

  1. With the engine off and cool, check the oil level and top up with the grade in the owner manual.

  2. Ask a dealer whether the vehicle has an open bulletin for cam timing codes.

Parts and cost context

  • Variable valve timing (VVT) oil control solenoid:The oil control valve is often a cheap part, but clean oil comes first. Labor varies; get a quote.
  • Camshaft position sensor:Test the sensor before replacing it.

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

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Mazda

  • 2013–2016 · CX-5

    Supported by vehicle data

    Mazda bulletins 01-009-16-3172 and its earlier revisions cover rough idle with P0015 and P0524 caused by debris in the oil circuit. Whether they are still current is not verified.

  • 01-009-16-3172BStatus unverified

    Rough idle with P0015 and P0524

    2012–2016mazda3, mazda6, cx-5 · issued · NHTSA 10092061

    Foreign object on the oil pump relief valve or oil control valve drops oil pressure and sets P0015 and P0524.

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

Ford

  • 2013–2016 · F-150

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford bulletins cover P0015 on the 2013 F-150 at hot idle and on early 2016 3.5L GTDI trucks. Whether they are still current is not verified.

  • 2013 · Fusion

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford TSB 13-5-33 covers cam timing codes including P0015 on the 2013 Fusion and Escape. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • TSB-13-5-33Status unverified

    VCT oil control solenoids and PCV hose, P0011/P0016/P0015/P0017

    2013fusion, escape · issued · NHTSA 10053344

    Covers cam timing codes on 2013 Fusion and Escape with the MIL on. The summary does not give the repair.

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

  • TSB-13-12-15Status unverified

    Hot-idle shudder with P0015

    2013f-150 · issued · NHTSA 10054704

    Trucks at hot idle may shudder or run rough in stop and go driving and/or set P0015.

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

  • 16-0038Status unverified

    3.5L GTDI MIL with cam timing codes under 2,000 miles

    2016f-150, expedition, transit · issued · NHTSA 10075268

    Early-mileage 3.5L GTDI engines may set P0011, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021 and/or P0025.

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

Lexus

  • 2007–2010 · RX

    Supported by vehicle data

    Lexus bulletin LSB-0028-09 covers ticking noise and/or MIL with P0015 on the RX 350 and ES 350. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • LSB-0028-09Status unverified

    Engine ticking noise and/or MIL with cam timing codes

    2007–2010es, rx · issued · NHTSA 10032528

    Covers ES 350 (2007-2009) and RX 350 (2007-2010) with ticking and codes P0014, P0015, P0024, P0025, P0017 or P0018.

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

  • P0016Crankshaft and intake camshaft positions do not agree (bank 1, sensor A)

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    P0016 compares crank and intake or exhaust cam position. Both appear in the same Ford and Lexus bulletin lists, so look at them together.

  • P0014Exhaust camshaft timing ahead of target or slow to respond (bank 1)

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    P0014 is the over-advanced exhaust cam code for bank 1 and shares the oil and valve causes.

  • P0017Crankshaft and exhaust camshaft positions do not agree (bank 1, sensor B)

    Other bank Supported by vehicle data

    P0017 is the cam position correlation code for the exhaust cam on the other crank-to-cam pairing and is listed with P0015 in the Ford and Lexus bulletins.

All Variable valve timing (VVT) codes

P0015 questions

Can I keep driving with P0015?

Often yes for a short time, but the sources warn of hard starts, stalling and low power. Check the oil level first and get it looked at soon.

Does an oil change fix P0015?

Sometimes. Low, dirty or wrong-grade oil is a common cause, so check the level and grade before replacing parts.

Sources and review

  1. Guide to P0015 OBD error code — PartsAvatar
  2. Mazda bulletin 01-009-16-3172B: Rough idle with MIL and P0015/P0524 — Mazda (via NHTSA manufacturer communications flat file) ,
  3. Ford bulletin TSB-13-5-33: P0011/P0016/P0015/P0017 on 2013 Fusion and Escape — Ford (via NHTSA manufacturer communications flat file) ,
  4. Lexus bulletin LSB-0028-09: Engine ticking noise and/or MIL with P0014/P0015/P0024/P0025/P0017/P0018 — Lexus (via NHTSA manufacturer communications flat file) ,
  5. Ford bulletin TSB-13-12-15: 2013 F-150 hot-idle shudder with P0015 — Ford (via NHTSA manufacturer communications flat file) ,
  6. Ford bulletin 16-0038: 3.5L GTDI MIL with cam timing codes under 2,000 miles — Ford (via NHTSA manufacturer communications flat file) ,
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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