Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P0012

P0012 Powertrain · generic OBD-II

'A' Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded

P0012 is a standard code covering engine, transmission, fuel and emissions. It names the system that logged the fault, not the part that failed. Below: which cars owners reported it on, what happened, and recalls on those cars, from 23 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 3, 2026.

Owners also write it as P001200 (the last two characters are the sub-code).

  • 23owner reports
  • 10car models
  • 0mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2013–2024model years

Which cars get code P0012?

Every model whose owners mentioned P0012 in a complaint, most reports first. Each year opens that car's full problem report. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Where does P0012 show up?

By brand

  • Ford21
  • Chevrolet1
  • Mercedes-Benz1

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Engine19 (82.6%)
  2. Power Train4 (17.4%)
  3. Engine And Engine Cooling3 (13%)
  4. Electrical System2 (8.7%)
  5. Fuel/Propulsion System2 (8.7%)
  6. Vehicle Speed Control1 (4.3%)

Is there a recall for P0012?

The others concern the component owners file this code under (Engine) on the same cars; they may or may not relate to the code. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

EnginePark outside Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked. NHTSA campaign 25V628000 · September 19, 2025 · Affected cars

2020 Ford Expedition. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Oil/Lubrication: Pump Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure. NHTSA campaign 23V905000 · December 22, 2023 · Affected cars

2021 Ford Ecosport, 2020 Ford Ecosport, 2018 Ford Ecosport, 2018 Ford Focus. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2016 F-150 pick-up trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines and block immersion heaters that were potentially relocated from their originally installed location. The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly… NHTSA campaign 20V098000 · February 21, 2020 · Affected cars

2016 Ford F-150. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block… NHTSA campaign 19V278000 · April 8, 2019 · Affected cars

2016 Ford F-150. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing… NHTSA campaign 18V894000 · December 18, 2018 · Affected cars

2016 Ford F-150. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder… NHTSA campaign 17V209000 · March 27, 2017 · Affected cars

2014 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Gasoline: Turbo/Supercharger Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components. NHTSA campaign 16V925000 · December 22, 2016 · Affected cars

2017 Ford Explorer. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

What happened when owners saw P0012?

10 of the 23 reports, spread across the models above, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.

2019 Ford Escape with a documented history of powertrain failures. White smoke on cold start and engine stalling began around 48,000 miles; the dealer noted this engine is known for coolant intrusion. At about 62,000 miles the engine short block was replaced under Ford Field Service Action 21N12 / TSB 22-2322. Smoke, shaking, and stalling continued, and the engine intermittently cuts out when shifting into reverse and must be restarted. At about 87,000 miles the transmission failed and the full transmission assembly was replaced (work order Jan 2026, vehicle returned end of March 2026). The owner repeatedly told the Ford dealer the vehicle felt unsafe. On [XXX] the owner reported renewed…
2019 Ford EscapePower Train, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11740983 · May 30, 2026
As I was driving home 8/2/24 at approximately 12:00pm the engine died in my 2020 Ford EcoSport. The automobile will not start, resulting in my having to get it towed. Powertrain Malfunction/ Reduced Power. P0012 A Camshaft position timing over - Retarded Bank 1 P0014 B Camshaft position Timing Over - Advanced or System Performance Bank 1 P0299Turbocharge/Supercharger Underboost P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Bank 1 or Single Sensor
2020 Ford EcosportEngineNHTSA complaint 11606356 · Aug 4, 2024
Timing chain has no tension and requiring immediate repair of timing chain and phasers. Check engine light illuminated with codes P0012 & P054C. It is evident this is an acknowledged issue with Ford due to the number of TSBs issued for this motor. Diagnosed at an independent repair shop and confirmed at local Ford dealership and is available currently at the Ford dealership for inspection upon request. Safety risk of loss of power or complete engine failure while operating. Occasional cold start noises occurred for about a year prior to the check engine light on 1/13/2022 - Check engine light appeared, and was taken to a repair shop the next day.
2013 Ford F-150Unknown Or OtherNHTSA complaint 11447828 · Jan 18, 2022
Timing chain issue same as 2015 and earlier current recalls. Happened aroun 68,000 miles. May stall pulling out from stop light. Mechanic diagnosed problem Car ran bad at idle and stopped in drive or reverse. Often stalled. Repaired 9/13/24 approx 3,500 bill.Stony Creek Auto Center, Reading, PA did repair. The timing chain kit and oil pump were replaced inpected by mechanic. Warning sign code P0017 and P0012. Yellow warning light.
2016 Chevrolet EquinoxEngineNHTSA complaint 11615506 · Sep 19, 2024
My 2018 Ford Edge Titanium (2.0L EcoBoost) is experiencing internal engine coolant intrusion - the defect described in Ford Technical Service Bulletin 22-2229 (June 10, 2022), which covers 2015-2018 Ford Edge 2.0L EcoBoost vehicles for coolant leaking into the engine cylinders. The engine loses motive power without warning: it revs but the vehicle barely accelerates, including at road speed - a sudden loss-of-power hazard in traffic. Symptoms began approximately 09/08/2026. The check-engine light is illuminated with diagnostic codes P0300, P0302, P0303 (engine misfires, cylinders 2 and 3), P0316 (misfire on startup), P0217, P1285, P1299 (overheating - the computer has entered cylinder-head…
2018 Ford EdgeEngineNHTSA complaint 11767714 · Sep 29, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle shuddered with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while the vehicle was idling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where diagnostic codes: P0011, P0012 and P0016 were retrieved. The dealer determined that the crankshaft chain was stretched and needed to be replaced in bank #1 and bank #2, along with the pretensioners and phasers. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage…
2020 Ford ExpeditionEngineNHTSA complaint 11557822 · Dec 1, 2023
Driving on the highway heard large rattling noise coming from engine loss of power engine light came on battery light came on no acceleration cause to slow down on highway fortunately I was able to get to shoulder had it towed to service shop had p0012 code tensioner may have broken off on timing belt causing low oil pressure and causing engine rattling noise and engine shut down but service garage don’t do that type of work
2017 Ford ExplorerElectrical System, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11611949 · Aug 31, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 50 MPH, the oil light illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that DTC codes: P0012-P0014 had been retrieved, and that the vehicle had experienced internal engine failures. The…
2018 Ford FocusEngine And Engine CoolingNHTSA complaint 11634319 · Jan 6, 2025
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC NEWER STYLE VACUUM PUMP FAILED IN MY 2017 FORD FUSION ALMOST REAR ENDED A TRUCK WHILE DIDNT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS TALKED TO A FEW FORD DEALERS THAT TOLD ME IT WOULD BE OVER A WEEK BEFORE I WOULD BE ABLE TO GET MY CAR SERVICED. SO I STARTED TO TEST MY MY PARTS GOT A P0012 AND P0014 CODE AND PINPOINTED A DESTROYED VACUUM PUMP THAT HAD NO SUCTION.BREAKS ASSISTANCE WAS LOST
2017 Ford FusionService Brakes, EngineNHTSA complaint 11266426 · Oct 4, 2019
Check engine light (MIL) came on while driving and vehicle lost power. Would not accelerate. Had it towed to Mercedes Benz of Mrytle Beach. $8000 repair. Mercedes Corp would not help. This is a copy of a TSB (LI05.20-P-080257) for this issue: Complaint engine vibrations perceived at low rpm. Fault codes for the camshaft position of the intake camshaft (p001100, p001104, p001200) or exhaust camshaft (p001400, p001404, p001500) may be stored. Cause continuously fluctuating oil pressure in the central valve may lead to damage to the filter screen on the central valve. This can result in damage to the filter screen or the filter screen breaking loose. The resulting loss of oil pressure prevents…
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC-ClassEngineNHTSA complaint 11741971 · Jun 4, 2026

P0012: questions drivers ask

What does code P0012 mean?

P0012 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "'A' Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded". The code tells you which system set the fault, not which part failed; the owner reports on this page show what it meant in practice for 10 car models.

Which cars get code P0012 most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, P0012 is mentioned most for the Ford Escape (11), Ford Ecosport (3), Ford F-150 (2), across 10 models and model years 2013 to 2024. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code P0012?

No NHTSA recall text names P0012 directly. 7 recalls on the cars that report this code concern the same component owners name most (Engine); they may or may not relate to the code. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What should I do if my car shows P0012?

Write down when the code appeared and what the car did (warning lights, loss of power, noises, speed, weather). Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer or independent workshop to read the stored freeze-frame data before anyone clears the code, and keep the repair order. If the car loses power in traffic, stop driving it. CarHooq does not diagnose: these are owner reports and official recall notices, not repair advice.

How this page was made

CarHooq read the text of every owner complaint filed with NHTSA for 19 US and European brands (model years 2012 onwards) and picked out the diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote down. This page lists every mention of P0012 (including sub-code forms such as P001200). The definition is the generic SAE J2012 wording; a carmaker may use the code slightly differently. Nothing here is a diagnosis. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 3, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.

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