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

P0015 on Volkswagen: causes and affected engines

P0015 means: camshaft "B" (exhaust) position, bank 1: timing over-retarded.^[1][2] Volkswagen has 11 documented faults that can trigger it, across 10 engines, including 1.2 and 1.4 TSI, 1.2 12V, 2.0 TSI / TFSI and 1.2 TDI. 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 29 October 20262 sources How we work

Documented faults in Volkswagen engines that can trigger P0015

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.

1.2 TDI

In Polo V

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt, water pump and high-pressure pumpOn this engine, a single toothed belt drives the camshaft, the water pump and the common-rail high-pressure pump. If the water pump seizes, it can drag the belt with it and cause it to jump a tooth or break, with the risk of serious engine damage.Repair (garage): €400–€700

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

1.4 TDI

In Polo IV and Polo V

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt and water pumpThe 1.4 TDI drives its timing with a toothed belt; on the unit-injector generation, that belt and its camshaft also drive the unit injector pumps. It is advisable to change the water pump along with the kit: if it seizes first, it can drag the belt with it, risking breakage and serious damage.Repair (garage): €400–€700

1.6 TDI

In Caddy III, Golf VI, Golf VII, Jetta VI, Polo V, Polo VI and 3 more models

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt and water pumpThe 1.6 TDI drives its timing with a toothed belt. It is common for the water pump to be changed together with the kit: if the pump seizes first, it can drag the belt with it, with a risk of breakage and serious cylinder head damage.Repair (garage): €400–€1,500

3.0 TDI V6

In Amarok I, Phaeton, Touareg I, Touareg II and Touareg III

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner wearOn the 3.0 TDI V6 the timing chain is at the gearbox end and its tensioner can lose tension: it rattles on a cold start and, if the chain stretches, the timing goes out and the engine is at risk. Replacing it means opening the engine and costs several thousand euros.

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 P0015 on any make

From most to least likely, according to the sources.

1Dirty oil or lack of maintenance, which harms the phaser, because the timing is moved by oil pressure.^[1][2]
2Faulty or dirty phaser control solenoid (and its filter).^[1][2]
3Stretched or jumped timing chain or belt.^[1][2]
4Faulty camshaft position sensor or wiring.^[1][2]

What to check first

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

1Check when the oil was last changed and what it looks like; if it is dirty or due, change it using the grade the manufacturer specifies and see whether the code returns.^[1]
2Inspect the camshaft sensor, its connector and the wiring, which runs next to the rocker cover.^[1][2]
3Check the phaser solenoid (resistance, dirt in the filter) following the values in the model's manual.^[1][2]

Full guide to P0015: symptoms, diagnosis and whether you can drive

Frequently asked questions

Which Volkswagen engines have faults that can trigger P0015?

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

What does code P0015 mean on a Volkswagen?

Camshaft "B" (exhaust) position, bank 1: timing over-retarded. The ECU compares the position of the bank 1 exhaust camshaft with that of the crankshaft and detects that it is lagging behind what the variable valve timing system is commanding. It is the opposite case to P0014, where the camshaft is too far advanced. It is a generic OBD-II code: it means the same on a Volkswagen as on any other make.^[1][2]

Can I keep driving with P0015?

Garage soon. Out-of-step timing hurts performance and, if the cause is a stretched chain or belt, carrying on using the car can increase wear and end up damaging the engine.^[2]

Sources

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

P0015 – Camshaft position (CMP) exhaust/right/rear, bank 1 – timing over-retardedTroubleCodes.net · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
P0015 Code Symptoms, Causes, Diagnostic Steps & Cost GuideFlagship One (FS1 Inc.) · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026