A P0012 code means the engine control module has found that the intake camshaft timing on Bank 1 is later than it should be. The code is titled Camshaft Position “A”, Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1), and it often appears with other engine warnings.
Most P0012 cases trace back to engine oil or the valve timing hardware. Treat the code as urgent, because the diagnosis should happen before you keep driving the vehicle.
What the P0012 Code Means on Bank 1
A P0012 code means the engine control module has noticed that the intake camshaft timing on Bank 1 differs from the target it set. The timing has fallen behind, which is what over-retarded means in practice. The “A” in the title refers to the intake camshaft.
According to MechanicBase, the code can set during either the retarding or the advancing phase of cam movement, and it may appear alongside other codes. The fault is tied to Bank 1 only, so the other bank of the engine is not the first suspect.
Some websites describe P0012 as over-advanced, which conflicts with the standard wording. Subaru’s service bulletin 02-132-12R lists P0011 as the over-advanced code for intake timing on bank 1, so read the full title on your scanner before you act.
Common Causes of a P0012 Code
A P0012 code is usually linked to oil condition or to the valve timing hardware. MechanicBase lists several causes, and the oil and wiring checks come before any expensive part.
- Low engine oil or reduced oil pressure
- Contaminated or dirty engine oil
- Incorrect camshaft timing, including a timing chain or belt problem
- An electrical short in the cam sensor or solenoid wiring
- A defective intake valve timing solenoid or a bad oil control valve
MechanicBase ties oil condition to this code directly. An oil level and quality check is therefore the first step, not a parts swap. A P0012 code that returns after an oil service points toward wiring, the solenoid or the oil control valve.
Symptoms and How Serious a P0012 Code Is
A P0012 code is rated severe, and MechanicBase advises against driving until the fault is checked, because permanent engine damage could quickly occur. The check engine light is the first symptom on the list, and the rest depend on how far cam timing has drifted.
According to MechanicBase, symptoms vary depending on where the cam timing stops advancing. Watch for these signs alongside the code:
- Check engine light on
- Additional misfire codes, such as the P0300 misfire code through P0308
- Rough engine performance and stalling
- Reduced fuel economy
- Knocking or rattling from the engine
- A failed emissions test
Misfire codes deserve attention, because they point to combustion problems that can come with the timing fault. Record every code before you clear anything, so you keep the full picture for the diagnosis.
How to Diagnose a P0012 Code Step by Step
Diagnosing a P0012 code starts with oil and wiring, not the valve. MechanicBase suggests five checks in order, and each one rules out a cause before you spend money on parts.
- Record all trouble codes and the freeze-frame data first. You may then clear the codes and test drive the vehicle to see whether the light returns.
- Check the oil level and quality. Change the oil and filter if they are due, using the viscosity the manufacturer specifies.
- Inspect the wiring and connectors for the cam sensor and oil control valve. Replace any damaged part.
- Follow the manufacturer procedure to see whether operating the oil control valve by hand changes cam timing.
- Check cam timing, then inspect the timing chain or belt and related parts.
MechanicBase advises using a factory repair manual or a pinpoint test procedure when the diagnosis goes beyond these steps. A scan tool that shows live cam timing data makes steps four and five faster, but the check still depends on the manufacturer procedure.
Repair Options and Typical Costs
MechanicBase estimates a P0012 repair anywhere from an oil change at $45 to $75 to a timing chain or belt job at $1,000 to $5,000, as of November 6, 2026. These are general ranges for parts and labor, not quotes.
The table below lists the repair options from the same source, with the estimated range for each. Local shops and parts prices will vary, so get a written quote before you approve work. The source is MechanicBase’s P0012 reference.
| Repair option | Estimated range (parts and labor) |
|---|---|
| Oil and filter change | $45 to $75 |
| Electrical repair | $50 to $500 |
| Oil control valve replacement | $150 to $450 |
| Intake valve timing solenoid replacement | $300 to $550 |
| Camshaft actuator replacement | $300 to $1,000 |
| Oil pump replacement | $200 to $1,500 |
| Timing belt or chain replacement | $1,000 to $5,000 |
MechanicBase lists its diagnostic steps from oil to wiring to timing, so the most expensive repair comes last. For that last step, see the guides to timing chain replacement costs and cam phaser replacement costs. Start with the low-cost checks and move on only when they do not explain the code.
What Manufacturer Bulletins Show About Cam Solenoid Checks
Subaru bulletin 02-132-12R gives a swap test for intake oil control solenoids, but it covers P0011, P0014, P0021 and P0024 on listed models, not P0012. It is a useful example of how a manufacturer separates a solenoid fault from a sprocket fault.
The bulletin applies to 2012 to 2013 Impreza and XV Crosstrek NA models with the FB engine, 2013 BRZ with the FA engine, 2013 Legacy and Outback with the FB engine, and 2011 to 2013 NA Forester with the FB engine. Do not apply its procedure to a different vehicle.
The first step is to swap the oil control solenoid valves from side to side, clear the ECM memory and run the listed drive cycle. If the fault moves to the opposite bank, the bulletin says to replace the solenoid. If it stays on the same bank, it says to replace the camshaft sprocket.
The bulletin also says the o-ring and backer ring on the solenoid are one-time-use items and must be replaced before reinstalling. For a P0012 code on another vehicle, check the factory service information for the correct test.
P0012 Compared With P0011, P0014 and P0017
P0012 and the P0011 over-advanced cam timing code are both intake cam timing codes for bank 1, but they point in opposite directions. P0012 is over-retarded, while P0011 is over-advanced according to Subaru’s bulletin.
| Code | Meaning as listed in the sources | Source |
|---|---|---|
| P0011 | Intake Camshaft Position, Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1) | Subaru bulletin 02-132-12R |
| P0012 | Camshaft Position “A”, Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1) | MechanicBase |
| P0014 | Exhaust AVCS System 1, Range or Performance (bank 1 exhaust) | Subaru bulletin 02-132-12R |
| P0017 | Listed as a related code by MechanicBase; read its full title on your scanner | MechanicBase |
Because these codes, including the P0014 exhaust cam timing code, sit close together, do not replace a part based on the code number alone. Read the full title on your scanner and compare it with the freeze-frame data before you buy anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep driving with a P0012 code?
MechanicBase rates P0012 as severe and advises against continuing to drive, because permanent engine damage could quickly occur. Check the oil level if it is safe to do so, and arrange a diagnosis before you drive the vehicle further.
Is P0012 the same as P0011?
No. P0011 is the over-advanced code for intake cam timing on bank 1, while P0012 is over-retarded. Subaru’s bulletin lists P0011, and MechanicBase defines P0012. Read the full title on your scanner to confirm which code you have.
Will an oil change fix a P0012 code?
It might, but only when low or dirty oil is the cause. MechanicBase lists oil level and quality as the first diagnostic step, and it estimates an oil and filter change at $45 to $75. If the code returns after the service, move on to the wiring and valve checks.
Can I clear a P0012 code myself?
Most OBD2 scanners can clear codes, but clearing does not fix the cause. MechanicBase suggests recording all codes and freeze-frame data first, then clearing them and test driving the vehicle to see whether the light returns.
Does a P0012 code always mean a timing chain problem?
No. MechanicBase lists oil problems, wiring faults, the solenoid and the oil control valve as causes, with the timing chain or belt as one possible cause. Timing parts should be considered only after the cheaper checks do not explain the code.
Is a P0012 repair a do-it-yourself job?
Some checks, such as an oil change and a visual inspection of the wiring, are within reach for many owners. MechanicBase recommends a factory repair manual or pinpoint procedure for deeper diagnosis, and a qualified shop for work beyond those steps.
A P0012 code deserves a careful, ordered check rather than a quick part swap. Start with the oil and the wiring, record every code first, and use the factory service information for your vehicle before you approve any valve or timing repair.
