Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P0016

P0016 Powertrain · generic OBD-II

Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation

P0016 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 112 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 3, 2026.

Owners also write it as P001600, P001685 (the last two characters are the sub-code).

  • 112owner reports
  • 31car models
  • 2mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2012–2025model years

Which cars get code P0016?

Every model whose owners mentioned P0016 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 P0016 show up?

By brand

  • GMC40
  • Chevrolet37
  • Ford23
  • Volkswagen5
  • Mercedes-Benz3
  • Dodge2
  • Chrysler1
  • Jeep1

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Engine102 (91.1%)
  2. Power Train20 (17.9%)
  3. Fuel/Propulsion System11 (9.8%)
  4. Electrical System8 (7.1%)
  5. Engine And Engine Cooling6 (5.4%)
  6. Vehicle Speed Control5 (4.5%)

Is there a recall for P0016?

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: Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing… NHTSA campaign 25V274000 · April 24, 2025 · Affected cars
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

2018 Ford Ecosport. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater. The engine block… NHTSA campaign 19V328000 · April 25, 2019 · Affected cars

2019 GMC Sierra, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, 2018 Chevrolet Silverado. 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 Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured July 19, 2010, to May 26, 2015 and equipped with 2.4L engines. In the affected vehicles, the engine cover may detach from the engine and contact the exhaust manifold. NHTSA campaign 15V431000 · July 7, 2015 · Affected cars

2014 Dodge Journey. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored… NHTSA campaign 14E007000 · March 7, 2014 · Affected cars

2012 Volkswagen Jetta. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHRYSLER VEHICLES, INCLUDING 200 AND TOWN AND COUNTRY MODELS, DODGE VEHICLES, INCLUDING CHARGER, DURANGO, GRAND CARAVAN AND JOURNEY MODELS AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 31, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13, 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED… NHTSA campaign 11V487000 · September 29, 2011 · Affected cars

2012 Dodge Charger. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

What happened when owners saw P0016?

10 of the 112 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.

While towing a trailer on 6/26/26, the 6.2L L87 engine suffered a sudden drop in oil pressure, began knocking, and completely lost motive power on the roadway. Because the engine seized instantly, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power steering and power braking while managing the extreme weight of a trailer. This combination created a severe and immediate safety hazard, forcing me to maneuver a heavy, unpowered truck and trailer combination through active traffic to the shoulder without full steering or brake control, putting my life, my passengers' lives, and the safety of surrounding motorists at extreme risk. My dad read the codes before we took it to my mechanics and the only…
2021 GMC SierraEngineNHTSA complaint 11770706 · Oct 12, 2026
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 6.2L Truck was driving and fully lost capability to accelerate. Truck alarmed driver to shift to neutral and restart engine. Attempt to restart engine was not successful. Error code was sent via email in a diagnostic report to owner with code P0016. No check engine lights or alarms were on the dash. Truck is currently at an auto mechanic. Safety issue was leaving driver and passengers stranded. Auto mechanic states truck needs new engine. Tried to verify VIN to the GM recall notice (N252494000) and was told not included in recall, even though truck has same motor listed in recall AND giving the error code. There was no warning messages, lights or symptoms prior to…
2021 Chevrolet SilveradoEngineNHTSA complaint 11771523 · Oct 15, 2026
3.5L ecoboost timing chain failure at only 58,000 miles (code P0016 possible turbo problems TBD Front suspension springs are broken. All of these are common threads on many forums. Ford should be held accountable even though mine is 10 years old, the mileage is the issue. FWIW, they completely redesigned the engine a few years later, but never notified anyone to watch out for these common problems or offer a recall
2012 Ford F-150Suspension, Power Train, EngineNHTSA complaint 11514383 · Mar 29, 2023
I have had several codes pop up on my Equinox, such as P0016, P0017, P0089 and P228D. All of these codes are between the Crankshaft position, variable timing position and high pressure fuel issues. I almost wrecked my SUV because of these 3 factors and I have seen thousands of videos on YouTube with other people having the same issues. This is beyond dangerous to be out on the road driving and these codes pop up causing "Reduce Speed" warnings and "Stabilitrak". This will be the 2nd time I've had to replace the Crankshaft position sensor and Variable Timing Solenoid, along with a brand new timing kit that I had put on right after I bought the car over a year ago, that is now in need of…
2014 Chevrolet EquinoxVehicle Speed Control, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11618668 · Oct 8, 2024
VIN: [XXX] Mileage: Approximately 103,576 Incident location: [XXX] Safety Complaint: While my wife was driving our 2019 GMC Terrain into a shopping center parking lot, the vehicle suddenly experienced a severe loss of braking assistance. The brake pedal became extremely stiff and difficult to depress, and she was barely able to slow the vehicle. This occurred unexpectedly while the engine continued running, creating a serious risk of a collision. Following the incident, I inspected the vehicle using an OBD-II diagnostic scanner, which identified diagnostic trouble code P0016 (crankshaft/camshaft position correlation). The vehicle also displayed an oil-pressure warning. We subsequently had…
2019 GMC TerrainPower Train, Service Brakes, EngineNHTSA complaint 11770963 · Oct 13, 2026
On XXX, I was driving my 2022 GMC Yukon XL Denali equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8 engine, with my [XXX] stepson as a passenger, when the engine malfunctioned and stalled, leaving the vehicle disabled in traffic. The vehicle registered diagnostic trouble code P0016 (Crankshaft Position–Camshaft Position Correlation, Bank 1 Sensor A). Prior to this incident, the vehicle had undergone GM's L87 Engine Loss of Propulsion Safety Recall 25V-274 (GM Campaign N252494000). The vehicle passed the required engine inspection and was cleared to receive the prescribed oil viscosity change from 0W-20 to 0W-40. Under GM's recall service procedure, vehicles displaying P0016 during the inspection were required…
2022 GMC Yukon XLEngineCrashNHTSA complaint 11770757 · Oct 13, 2026
My vehicle, 2023 Tahoe, previously had the GM Recall 25V-274 / N252494001 remedy performed (0W-40 oil swap) in October of 2025. Despite completing the manufacturer's official recall remedy, the engine suffered a sudden, dangerous loss of motive power at highway speeds when I was making an out of state move and traveling alone; it was terrifying. I had to have it towed to the nearest dealership and that is where it is now as I had to leave since I was in the middle of moving. I need a new engine. I have no idea how I will get my Tahoe to my new residence or when. The dealership was not open on Sundays so I had to find a place to stay after leaving my Tahoe full of my items and my bike. I was…
2023 Chevrolet TahoeEngine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11756494 · Aug 12, 2026
WE PURCHASED OUR 2012 CHEVY TRAVERSE BRAND NEW IN APRIL OF 2013. I HAD THE EXTENDED PIP WARRANTY 6 YEARS, 60,000 MILES. THE MILEAGE IS 65,674. ON 9/12/2020 WHILE DRIVING RURAL STATE ROAD AT 55MPH THE ENGINE STALLED LOSING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. WE SAFELY PULLED TO THE SIDE. THE ENGINE STARTED BACK UP WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND AN OBVIOUS KNOCK. TOWED THE TRAVERSE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE MONDAY WHEN THEY OPENED. DRIVERS VILLAGE DEALERSHIP CICERO NY CHECKED VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED 'VERY BAD KNOCKING WHEN VEHICLE IS RUNNING, NOISE CHANGES WITH RPMS. SCANNED AND FOUND P0016 CRANK CAM.' DIAGNOSTIC REPAIR FEE OF $250 DETERMINED THE #1 BANK ROD BROKEN- NEED ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THEY…
2012 Chevrolet TraverseEngineNHTSA complaint 11355024 · Sep 14, 2020
Error code p0016 came up and I started investigating and found coolant intrusion which was a known defect during manufacturing by ford. I was driving normally when the vehicle accelerated really slowly after a stop which could have caused a traffic accident if it happened while in traffic
2018 Ford EscapeEngineNHTSA complaint 11762592 · Sep 7, 2026
Our Yukon was taken in for the recall. Dealer did the test and said it passed and used different oil. My wife and kids were driving to [XXX] from [XXX] yesterday. As they exited the highway, the car began acting weird. Then the car completely died. It was towed due to error code P0016. Dealer said they are going to put a new engine in. I saw online that cars with replacement engines were failing too? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024 GMC YukonEngineNHTSA complaint 11762331 · Sep 5, 2026

P0016: questions drivers ask

What does code P0016 mean?

P0016 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation". 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 31 car models.

Which cars get code P0016 most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, P0016 is mentioned most for the GMC Sierra (27), Chevrolet Silverado (22), Ford F-150 (14), across 31 models and model years 2012 to 2025. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code P0016?

No NHTSA recall text names P0016 directly. 8 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 P0016?

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 P0016 (including sub-code forms such as P001600). 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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