Timing and crank/cam sensorsGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Garage soon

P0011 on Volkswagen: causes and affected engines

P0011 means: camshaft position "A": timing over-advanced or system performance (bank 1).^[1][2][3] Volkswagen has 7 documented faults that can trigger it, across 6 engines, including 1.2 and 1.4 TSI, 1.2 12V, 2.0 TSI / TFSI and 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI. Only a diagnosis can confirm the cause on your car.

Documented faults

that can trigger it

Engines

used by Volkswagen, with at least one of them

Volkswagen models

with at least one of these faults

Urgency

Garage soon

Reviewed on 2 October 20265 sources How we work

Documented faults in Volkswagen engines that can trigger P0011

Grouped by engine or model, from most to least important. These are faults with the variable valve timing actuator, with the timing chain and with the timing belt: not all of them will necessarily set the code, and only a diagnosis confirms the cause on your car.

1.2 and 1.4 TSI

In Golf VII, Touran II, Caddy III, Golf VI, Jetta VI, Passat B6 and 6 more models

1.2 12V

In Polo IV and Polo V

- Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner wearThe 1.2 12V timing chain can slacken and the tensioner lose effectiveness with wear; if it is not detected in time, the engine can lose compression, throw the timing out or suffer valve-to-piston contact that destroys it. It is the most cited fault of this engine, across several cars and brands.Appears at around 87,000 km

2.0 TSI / TFSI

In Golf VI, Passat B6, Passat B7, Sharan II and Tiguan I

- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain and tensioner wearOver the years, the chain can stretch and the hydraulic tensioner can stop keeping it taut, especially on first-batch units (2008-2012). If the chain jumps a tooth, it can slam the valves into the pistons.

1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI

In Golf IV, Golf V, Golf VI, Polo IV and Polo V

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt and water pumpThe 1.4 16v and the 1.6 MPI (BSE/BSF) drive the valvetrain with a toothed timing belt, and in many of these engines the water pump is driven by that same belt. If the pump seizes, it can drag the belt until it jumps a tooth or snaps, with the risk of the valves hitting the pistons.Repair (garage): €400–€700

1.8 T 20v

In Bora, Golf IV and Passat B5

- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain tensioner noise and wearAt least one owner documents the timing chain tensioner of this engine left unreplaced, with the resulting chain noise, on a Passat with 184,000 km; another report from a 180 hp Audi TT points to a timing problem at 90,000 km.

1.0 MPI

In Polo V, Polo VI and up!

- Low severityFrequency: RareTimingTiming belt with no fixed replacement intervalThe 1.0 MPI uses a dry timing belt which, according to the manufacturer, has no fixed replacement interval: it only calls for a visual inspection from 210,000-240,000 km. The sources we consulted document no failure pattern for this belt on any car with this engine.

Common causes of P0011 on any make

From most to least likely, according to the sources.

1Oil in poor condition or at a low level: dirty, sludgy, of the wrong viscosity, or with blocked passages that leave the phaser without hydraulic pressure. Carista says dirty oil is the number one cause of variable valve timing faults.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}
2Oil control solenoid (VVT or OCV) stuck, with its screen blocked by sludge or with an electrical fault, such as a short circuit.^[1][2][3][4]
3Worn or seized camshaft phaser (cam adjuster), which cannot return to its base position.^[2][3][4]
4Damaged solenoid wiring or connector: breaks, wear or a poor connection.^[1][2][3]

What to check first

The first diagnostic steps, from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.

1Start with the oil: check the level and condition, and make sure you are using the viscosity the manufacturer specifies. If the level is low, top up and look for leaks if it drops again; if it is dirty or not the right one, change it along with the filter and see whether the code returns.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}
2Read the other codes: according to Rick's, a P0014, a P0017 or similar alongside P0011 can point to a bigger problem in the timing system.^[3][5]
3Check the solenoid's connector and wiring: rubbing against other parts, corrosion, poor contact. With a multimeter, check that power and earth reach it, and measure its resistance.^[1][2][3]

Full guide to P0011: symptoms, diagnosis and whether you can drive

Frequently asked questions

Which Volkswagen engines have faults that can trigger P0011?

1.2 and 1.4 TSI (2 faults), 1.2 12V (1 fault), 2.0 TSI / TFSI (1 fault), 1.4 16v and 1.6 MPI/FSI (1 fault), 1.8 T 20v (1 fault) and 1.0 MPI (1 fault). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

What does code P0011 mean on a Volkswagen?

Camshaft position "A": timing over-advanced or system performance (bank 1). The ECU has detected that camshaft "A" on bank 1 (the intake one) is more advanced than it commanded, or that the variable valve timing (VVT) system is not responding as it should. It only occurs on engines with variable valve timing. It is a generic OBD-II code: it means the same on a Volkswagen as on any other make.^[1][2][3][4]

Can I keep driving with P0011?

Garage soon. The sources do not agree on the severity. Autodoc Club considers it a fault to resolve immediately and MechanicBase advises not to keep driving, because with the timing out of adjustment the fault gets worse and, if the cause is a chain or a belt, the engine can suffer serious damage; Rick's warns that carrying on driving without fixing it can end in serious engine failure, while Carista classes it as medium severity. The quickest thing is to check the oil level and condition straight away, and not to put off the visit to the garage.^[1][2][3][4]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Código OBD2 P0011: causas, síntomas y cómo corregirloAutodoc Club · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish
P0011 Code – Meaning, Causes & How to fix itMechanic Base · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026
P0011 Trouble Code: How to Fix ItRick's Free Auto Repair Advice · Technical documentation · published 20 February 2025 · consulted 2 October 2026
P0011: OBD-II code P0011 means the intake camshaft on bank 1 is more advanced than the PCM commandedCarista · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026
DTC P0011 or P0014, Saab 9-5 (9650) 2011, motor de gasolina de 2.0 lSaab WIS Online (Saab Workshop Information System) · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026