The P0017 code is a generic OBD-II trouble code that means the crankshaft and camshaft position signals no longer match. Its full name is Crankshaft Position-Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B).
Most P0017 cases come from a timing or sensor fault, and the engine should not be run until a technician checks it. A jumped chain can damage the engine, so finding the cause matters more than clearing the code.
What the P0017 Code Means
P0017 means the camshaft and crankshaft position sensors are not timed together as they should be. The engine computer sets the P0017 code when the gap between those two signals goes past the limit the manufacturer chose for that engine.
Under normal running, the crankshaft position sensor and the camshaft position sensor keep a fixed relationship. When that relationship drifts outside the allowed error, the P0017 code is stored. The closely related P0016 code flags the same kind of crankshaft and camshaft correlation problem. The name of the P0017 code breaks down into three parts:
- Bank 1 is the side of the engine that holds cylinder #1.
- Sensor B refers to the exhaust camshaft on that bank.
- Correlation means the crankshaft and camshaft signals should line up, and they do not.
How to Read Bank 1 Sensor B
Bank 1 Sensor B is the exhaust camshaft position sensor on the cylinder #1 side. Sensor locations differ between engines, so the factory service manual is the reliable place to confirm the exact position on your vehicle.
What Causes a P0017 Code
The most common causes of a P0017 code are a stretched or jumped timing chain or belt, a worn tensioner, and a faulty crankshaft or camshaft sensor, according to Mechanic Base. The list below covers the main causes shops check first.
- A stretched timing chain or a jumped timing belt
- A damaged timing belt or chain tensioner
- A stuck CMP actuator, VVT solenoid or oil control valve
- A broken crankshaft or camshaft tone ring
- A faulty crankshaft or camshaft position sensor
- Wrong oil viscosity, or damaged wiring and connectors
Sensor Faults Versus Timing Faults
Wiring and sensor faults are usually the cheapest causes to confirm, while a stretched chain or jumped belt means internal engine work. Rerev, a repair reference site, also notes that a failing crankshaft or camshaft sensor can cause misfires or stalling, so a sensor fault is not always minor. Test steps for each sensor are covered in guides on crankshaft position sensor testing and camshaft position sensor testing.
Rerev also lists dirty or poor-quality oil as a factor, because it can affect the timing chain or belt and lead to misalignment. That makes an oil change a reasonable early check, but it does not replace a proper diagnosis.
Common Symptoms of a P0017 Code
A P0017 code often shows up with a check engine light, a rough or erratic idle and poor engine performance. In some cases the engine cranks but will not start at all.
- Check engine light
- No-start, where the engine cranks but does not fire
- Rough starts that take several tries
- Erratic or rough idle, sometimes with stalling
- Poor performance and reduced power
- Rattling engine noise
- Lower fuel economy
Some vehicles show no obvious symptoms at first, so the check engine light may be the only warning. Do not wait for the symptoms to get worse before getting the code read.
Is It Safe to Keep Driving With P0017?
No, Mechanic Base rates P0017 as High severity and advises against driving once the P0017 code is set. The reason is that a jumped timing chain can let the pistons and valves strike each other.
The risk comes from the timing itself. If the chain or belt has jumped, the valves and pistons can collide and cause serious engine damage. Mechanic Base also warns that carbon buildup and fouled spark plugs can follow a timing fault.
Rerev makes the same point in plainer terms: if the P0017 code is left alone, it can lead to engine damage that is costly to repair. A sensor-only fault may be less serious. The P0017 code alone does not show which part has failed, so a shop should check it before the car is driven far.
How to Diagnose a P0017 Code
Start by checking related codes and freeze frame data, then inspect the wiring, connectors and timing parts before replacing any component. Mechanic Base recommends this order for a P0017 code.
- Read the freeze frame data and any related codes, which show the engine conditions when the code was set.
- Consult the factory service manual for your vehicle’s timing checks and sensor tests.
- Inspect the crankshaft and camshaft position sensor connectors and wiring for damage.
- Check the timing belt or chain, the tensioner and the tone rings for stretch, jumping or wear.
- Confirm crankshaft and camshaft alignment before buying any part.
Before paying for a timing job, check whether the vehicle is covered by a powertrain or extended warranty, as Mechanic Base suggests. A warranty claim can change the cost of the repair considerably.
P0017 Repair Options and Typical Costs
Mechanic Base lists P0017 repairs from $50 for wiring work to $3,000 for a timing chain or tensioner job, and the final bill depends on the vehicle and local labor rates. The page was last updated in January 2023, so treat these figures as a starting point and confirm a current quote, as of 2026-11-06.
| Repair | Cost range listed by Mechanic Base |
|---|---|
| Wiring or connector repair | $50 to $550 |
| Crankshaft or camshaft sensor | $150 to $750 |
| Crankshaft or camshaft tone ring | $100 to $600 |
| Timing belt or chain tensioner | $250 to $3,000 |
| Timing belt or chain | $300 to $3,000 |
| CMP actuator, VVT solenoid or oil control valve | $300 to $3,000 |
The wide ranges show why diagnosis matters. A sensor or wiring fault and a timing job can both set the P0017 code, so the confirmed cause decides the price. For the high end of the range, see typical timing chain repair costs before you approve a quote.
Does P0017 Apply to Only One Vehicle?
No, P0017 is a generic code, but manufacturer bulletins can explain it for one model, such as Honda service bulletin 23-049 for the 2023 CR-V Hybrid.
That bulletin, published July 21, 2023, lists P0017 and P0339 for the 2023 CR-V Hybrid. Honda ties the codes to an incorrectly machined engine block at the crankshaft position sensor mounting location. The listed symptoms include a no-start, low-speed rough idle and RPM hunting.
The corrective action is to inspect the block markings and replace the short block and catalytic converter if the inspection requires it, after Tech Line approval. The bulletin says the expected failure rate is very low, and it covers only that model.
Sources also differ on the bank. Most list Bank 1 for P0017, but one listing says Bank 2, so confirm the bank on your own vehicle before you act on any bank-specific advice.
How to Check Your Vehicle’s Bulletins
Ask a dealer service department, or search the NHTSA database by make, model year and engine. Bulletins are vehicle-specific, so a match on the code alone does not tell you that a bulletin applies to your car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dirty oil cause a P0017 code?
Yes, it can contribute. Rerev says dirty or poor-quality oil can affect the timing chain or belt and lead to misalignment, and Mechanic Base lists wrong oil viscosity among the causes. Check the oil grade in your owner’s manual and change dirty oil before assuming the timing parts have failed.
Does clearing the P0017 code fix the problem?
No. Clearing the P0017 code only removes the stored fault and its freeze frame record. If the timing, sensor or wiring problem is still there, the engine computer will set the code again, so find the cause first. A clean reading after a repair is the best confirmation that the fix worked.
Does P0017 always mean a bad timing chain?
No. Mechanic Base also lists sensors, tone rings, wiring, the VVT or oil control solenoid and oil viscosity as causes. A timing chain or belt problem is one possibility among several, so get a diagnosis before you buy parts or schedule a timing job.
Can I read a P0017 code with a basic scanner?
Yes. A basic OBD-II code reader shows the P0017 code and often the freeze frame data. Freeze frame data records the engine conditions when the code was set, which helps a technician or owner narrow the cause. Some scanners also show live sensor data for the crankshaft and camshaft sensors.
What is Bank 1 Sensor B?
According to Mechanic Base, Bank 1 is the side of the engine with cylinder #1, and Sensor B is the exhaust camshaft position sensor on that side. The bank and sensor location differ by engine, so check the service manual for the exact position on your vehicle.
Is a P0017 repair worth it on an older car?
That depends on the confirmed cause and the car’s value. Sensor and wiring repairs sit at the low end of the Mechanic Base range, while a timing chain or tensioner job can reach $3,000. Compare the quote with what the car is worth before you approve the work.
Before paying for a timing job, confirm whether a bulletin applies to your exact make, model, year and engine, because the cause on one vehicle may not match another.
