The P0014 code means the camshaft on bank 1 is running more advanced than the engine computer commanded. It is a generic OBD2 code, so it appears on many makes and models, and the first checks are usually simple.
Most P0014 code cases trace back to oil condition, a stuck timing solenoid or worn timing parts. Check the oil and any sensor codes before you order parts.
What the P0014 Code Means
P0014 means the engine computer found the bank 1 “B” camshaft timed too far advanced compared with its target.
According to a Bentley bulletin hosted by NHTSA, the manufacturer text for this fault reads “B Camshaft Position (Bank1) Timing over-advanced or System Performance.” That same description is listed for code P001400, the manufacturer form of P0014. Bank 1 is the side of the engine that contains cylinder 1. Some repair sites call the B camshaft the exhaust cam on bank 1, but the label can vary by engine, so confirm it in your service information.
How the Engine Computer Spots It
The engine computer compares crankshaft and camshaft position signals. When the cam timing does not match what it commanded, it stores the code and turns on the check engine light.
Is P0014 Serious?
Treat P0014 as a real fault, since the check engine light can come with rough idle, misfires and lost power.
Repair sources list these symptoms for the P0014 code:
- A rough or irregular idle
- Engine misfires
- A drop in power
- Hard starting
- Stalling
Axlewise adds poorer fuel economy and a failed emissions test to that list. Symptoms vary from car to car, so treat the code as a signal to check the system, not as a guess about which part to replace.
Mechanicbase rates this code as very serious and warns that ignoring it can cause engine damage. That is the view of a repair publisher, not the manufacturer, so treat it as a strong warning rather than a fixed rule.
Common Causes
Repair sources most often blame low, dirty or wrong-grade oil and a clogged or failing timing solenoid for the P0014 code.
Slashgear calls bad oil a common reason for the P0014 code, because variable valve timing phasers use oil pressure to move the cam. Mechanicbase lists these other causes:
- Clogged oil lines or a faulty VCT or VVT solenoid
- Incorrect cam timing from a worn timing chain or belt
- A faulty timing tensioner
- A failing camshaft or crankshaft position sensor
- Damaged wiring to the sensor or solenoid
- Low engine oil or oil of the wrong viscosity
- Faulty camshaft tensioners
Manufacturer bulletins support the oil link for the matching retard code. Mazda bulletin 01-016/19, last issued in August 2019, covers rough idle with P0015 (exhaust camshaft timing over-retarded) and P0524 (engine oil pressure too low) on 2012 to 2018 Mazda3, 2014 to 2017 Mazda6, 2013 to 2017 CX-5 and 2016 to 2018 CX-3 models. Mazda traces it to a foreign object stuck on the oil pump relief valve or the oil control valve. The repair table starts by measuring oil pressure at 650, 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. That is a P0015 case, not P0014, so treat it as an example of how oil pressure can upset cam timing.
Causes Compared by Cost and Effort
The table ranks each cause by how easy it is to confirm at home and how much work the repair takes.
| Cause | First check | Can you do it yourself? | Shop needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low or dirty oil | Oil level, condition and sludge at the filler cap | Yes | Rarely |
| Clogged or faulty solenoid | Scan tool output test and passage cleaning | Sometimes | If it is hard to reach |
| Worn timing chain, belt or tensioner | Cam timing against the repair manual | No | Yes |
| Bad cam or crank sensor, or wiring | Related sensor codes and signal checks | Sometimes | Often |
How to Check a P0014 Code
Start with engine oil, then scan for related sensor codes and test the solenoid before you consider timing work for any P0014 code.
Work through these P0014 code checks in order. Each one can rule out a cheaper cause before you buy parts.
- Scan for related codes, especially crankshaft or camshaft position sensor codes, and diagnose those first.
- Check the engine oil level and condition. If the oil is low or dirty, change the oil and filter, clear the code, and retest.
- Look for sludge at the oil filler cap, which can point to old oil clogging the VVT oil lines.
- Run an output test on the VVT or VCT solenoid with a scan tool.
- If the solenoid is reachable, remove it and clean its oil passages.
- Confirm that the camshaft and crankshaft sensors send correct signals.
- Check cam timing against the repair manual. If it is off, inspect the timing chain or belt.
Mechanicbase suggests applying 12 volts and ground directly to the solenoid only if you have electrical experience, so leave that test to someone who does.
If the code returns after the oil change, clear it, drive the car and check again. Axlewise says that when the code persists, the camshaft or crankshaft may need replacement, depending on how accessible they are. It also says a worn timing chain or belt usually needs a professional. That guide was updated on March 29, 2025, so confirm each step against the service manual for your engine.
How to Fix P0014
Most P0014 code fixes start with an oil change and solenoid cleaning, while timing, phaser and wiring repairs usually go to a shop.
Slashgear says replacing the oil control solenoid is relatively easy for most novices. It recommends a professional for timing problems, bad phasers and electrical faults, and says to check those only after mechanical causes are ruled out.
- Home jobs: oil and filter change, solenoid cleaning and sensor code checks
- Shop jobs: cam phaser, timing chain or belt, tensioner and wiring that needs tracing
- Ask the shop to include a cam timing check in the written estimate
Both Mechanicbase and Axlewise start with the oil, since it is the cheapest check. Work through the options in that order, from cheapest to most involved, and stop once the code clears and stays off after a drive.
Repair costs depend on the part and the labor rate in your area. For the biggest jobs, the guides on timing chain replacement cost and camshaft position sensor replacement cost show what drives the bill. Mechanicbase lists cost ranges, but the page is undated, so get a written quote before you approve any work.
A Bentley Bulletin as a Reference
A Bentley bulletin released in May 2026 says camshaft adjusters dated before 09T08 should be replaced on the affected Continental and Flying Spur V8T models.
The bulletin applies when the check engine lamp is on and matching codes are stored, and it says the camshaft control valve should be replaced along with any adjuster. That is one manufacturer’s procedure for those models only.
It does not give the fix for other vehicles. For a P0014 code on your car, look up the procedure in the service information for your make and model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does clearing the P0014 code fix it?
No. Clearing the code only removes the stored fault, and the cause stays. If the problem is still there, the code and the check engine light return. Fix the cause first, then clear the code and retest to confirm the repair.
Can low oil cause a P0014 code?
Yes, according to repair sources. Variable valve timing phasers move the cam with oil pressure, so low, dirty or wrong-grade oil can throw timing off. Check the oil level and condition, and look for sludge at the filler cap, before you buy parts.
Is P0014 the same as P0015?
No. P0014 covers an over-advanced bank 1 B camshaft, while P0015 covers an over-retarded condition on the same camshaft. The intake-side advance code is P0011, covered in the P0011 intake camshaft timing code guide. Confirm the exact wording on your scan report, because some websites mix the two codes up.
Will a P0014 code fail an emissions test?
Rules differ by state and inspection program, so check yours before you test. Ask the inspection station what it checks and what must be fixed before a retest. Fixing the cause first avoids a repeat trip.
How long does a P0014 repair take?
For a P0014 code, an oil change and solenoid cleaning are usually quick jobs. Timing chain, phaser and wiring repairs take longer. Ask the shop for a time estimate with the quote, and ask whether the repair includes a retest of the code.
What should I bring to a mechanic?
Bring the full code text from your scan report, any related sensor codes, your oil change history, and notes on symptoms such as rough idle or misfires. Ask whether the cam timing was checked and whether a retest was done after the repair.
If the P0014 code is on, start with the oil level and condition, then look at any related sensor codes this week. Book a shop for timing, phaser or wiring work rather than guessing with parts. Ask for the cam timing check in writing, so you know the repair matched the fault.
