P0025 Bank 2 exhaust camshaft timing too far retarded

B camshaft position timing over-retarded, bank 2 (exhaust VVT)

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

TroubleCodes.net warns of engine contamination and cam damage from poor lubrication, but the sources reviewed do not grade how urgent the code is.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: Get it diagnosed soon if the engine stalls, hesitates or runs rough, or if the oil is overdue for a change. TroubleCodes.net lists stalling and hesitation and ties the code to oil maintenance.

Source: how we rate severity

P0025 in short

P0025 means the bank 2 exhaust camshaft is sitting further back than the engine computer wants. Dirty or old oil and a sticking cam timing solenoid are the usual causes, and Ford has a bulletin about debris in the solenoid. It is worth diagnosing soon because poor oil supply can damage the engine.

Variable cam timing uses a solenoid to move a phaser that advances or retards a camshaft. The computer watches the cam position sensor and compares it with where it asked the cam to be. P0025 sets when the bank 2 exhaust camshaft is more retarded than commanded.

TroubleCodes.net says the code is almost always caused by poor oil changes and carbon buildup that clogs the solenoid filter or the solenoid. Ford's bulletin describes small debris sticking the solenoid and tells technicians to cycle it ten times before replacing it.

Owner complaints show the same code on different engines. A Ford owner and a Mercedes owner describe it as exhaust cam retard on bank 2, and a Nissan Armada owner says a replaced solenoid did not stop it, so the first repair does not always fix it.

Most likely causes

  1. Dirty, low or wrong oil and a clogged solenoid filter

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net says most P0025 codes come from bad oil changes and lack of maintenance, with carbon buildup in the VVT system and a blocked solenoid filter.
    What would change this
    Rises if the oil is overdue, the wrong grade, sludged or low. Falls if the oil is fresh and correct and the solenoid filter is clean.
    How to test the variable valve timing (vvt) oil control solenoid

  2. Cam timing solenoid stuck by debris or failed

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford bulletin SSM 49821 lists P0025 among codes caused by debris sticking the VCT solenoid, and TroubleCodes.net lists solenoid failure. A Nissan owner reports a solenoid replacement that did not fix it, so the solenoid alone is not guaranteed.
    What would change this
    Rises if cycling the solenoid changes the cam position. Falls if the solenoid moves freely and the code returns.
    How to test the variable valve timing (vvt) oil control solenoid

  3. Loose or corroded electrical connection

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net lists loose or corroded connections at the solenoid circuit as a cause.
    What would change this
    Rises if the connector is oil-soaked or corroded or wiggling it changes the cam response. Falls if the circuit is clean and the pins are tight.

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 P0019, P0024 or other cam timing codes are stored with P0025.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfOther cam timing codes are stored too

      It meansFord's bulletin groups these codes under one debris or solenoid cause.

      Go to step 2

    • IfP0025 is the only code

      It meansStart with the oil.

      Go to step 2

  2. Check the oil level and when the oil was last changed, and look at the dipstick for sludge or a very dark, thick oil.

    Low risk

  3. Have a shop cycle the bank 2 exhaust cam solenoid with a scan tool, as in Ford pinpoint test HK11, and check the connector and wiring for corrosion.

    Best left to a shopTool: bidirectional scan tool

    Warning:The test runs the engine with the solenoid commanded in and out, next to hot oil, belts and chains. Let a technician do it.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Hesitation, reduced fuel economy or rough running
  • Engine stalls Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

  1. Check the oil level and condition, and change it with the correct grade if it is overdue.

  2. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has an open cam timing bulletin before buying parts.

Parts and cost context

  • Variable valve timing (VVT) oil control solenoid:Ford says to cycle the solenoid before replacing it, and one Nissan owner replaced the solenoid without success. Diagnose first; 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

Ford

  • 2015–2021 · F-150

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford bulletin SSM 49821 says small debris can stick the VCT solenoid and set P0025 and other cam timing codes; cycle the solenoid 10 times before replacing it. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • SSM 49821 (ford)Status unverified

    VCT solenoid sticking from small debris (cycle solenoid 10 times)

    2015–2021c-max, ecosport, edge, escape, expedition, explorer, f-150, fiesta, flex, focus, fusion, mustang, ranger, transit, transit-connect · issued · NHTSA 10194428

    Small debris can make the VCT solenoid stick and set cam timing codes including P0025. Cycle the solenoid 10 times with pinpoint test HK11 before replacing it.

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

  • 16-0038 (ford)Status unverified

    3.5L GTDI cam timing codes under 2000 miles

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

    2016 3.5L GTDI vehicles under 3,200 km may set P0025 and other cam timing codes. NHTSA summary does not state the repair.

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

  • P0024Bank 2 'B' camshaft (usually exhaust) timing is more advanced than commanded, or the system is not performing

    Other bank Supported by vehicle data

    P0024 is the same timing fault on the bank 1 exhaust camshaft. Ford bulletin SSM 49821 lists both.

  • P0019Crankshaft-to-camshaft correlation, bank 2 camshaft B: the bank 2 exhaust camshaft signal is out of step with the crankshaft

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    P0019 is a bank 2 crank to cam correlation code; the Ford F-150 owner readout (complaint 11652279) shows it stored with P0025.

All Variable valve timing (VVT) codes

P0025 questions

Is P0025 an oil problem?

Often. TroubleCodes.net says most P0025 codes come from bad oil changes and poor maintenance, and Ford ties it to debris sticking the solenoid.

Will a new solenoid fix it?

Not always. Ford says to cycle the solenoid first, and one Nissan owner reports the code continued after the solenoid was replaced.

Sources and review

  1. P0025 trouble code page — TroubleCodes.net
  2. Ford SSM 49821: VCT solenoid sticking from small debris — Ford (filed with NHTSA)
  3. NHTSA complaint 11677960: 2020 Nissan Armada — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  4. NHTSA complaint 11652279: 2018 Ford F-150 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  5. NHTSA complaint 10477294: 2007 Mercedes-Benz E350 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  6. Lexus LSB-0028-09: Ticking noise and/or MIL on P0014, P0015, P0024, P0025, P0017 or P0018 — Lexus (filed with NHTSA)
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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