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P0010ModerateEngine

P0010: How to Diagnose & Fix — Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)

10 vehicles · 7 makes · $90-$5,000 repair

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How to diagnose and fix P0010: most-reported vehicles

Ranked by owner reports. Each card gives the symptoms, how to confirm the cause, the fix, parts and sources for that vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class · 2012–2018

Community reported
1,200 owners
Link to this issueError Codes:P0010P0011

The camshaft adjuster solenoids (VANOS equivalent) stick or fail due to oil varnish buildup, causing rough idle, poor throttle response, and check engine lights. Particularly common with extended oil change intervals.

Common Symptoms

  • Rough idle after warm-up
  • Check engine light with cam timing codes

How to Fix

Replace the camshaft adjuster solenoid(s). Clean the oil passages feeding the solenoids. Use Mercedes-approved 229.51 spec oil and change every 7,500 miles to prevent recurrence.

Owner tips & cautions

  • TipShorten oil change intervals to 7,500 miles instead of the Mercedes-recommended 10,000-13,000 miles. Dirty oil is the primary cause of solenoid failure.
Typical repair cost:$200 - $600

Research This Issue

Based on 1,200 owner reports

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
Medium Confidence1,200 owner reportsLast reported by owners Sep 2025Reviewed Mar 2026

Honda Clarity · 2017–2021

Community reported
180 owners
Link to this issueError Codes:P1D8DP0010

The Honda Clarity PHEV can experience a dangerous loss of power when transitioning from electric to gasoline engine operation, particularly under high-load conditions such as highway hills, cold weather, or when the battery is nearly depleted. The vehicle may drop from highway speed (60+ mph) to as low as 20 mph while the engine revs loudly but fails to deliver power, behaving as if the transmission is in neutral. The 1.5L Atkinson-cycle engine struggles to maintain speed when the electric motor assistance diminishes, and the power management software does not always transition smoothly between operating modes.

Common Symptoms

  • Vehicle drops from highway speed to 20-30 mph unexpectedly
  • Engine revs loudly but vehicle does not accelerate
  • Power System Problem warning on dashboard
  • Gear icon with exclamation mark appears
  • Issue worsens in cold weather or on steep grades

How to Fix

Visit a Honda dealer for the latest PCM software update, which improves the hybrid-to-gas transition logic. Keep the battery charged above 2 bars when highway driving in cold weather. In HV mode on long highway grades, manually press the HV Charge button to maintain battery reserve for power blending. If power loss occurs, safely pull over, turn off the vehicle for 60 seconds, then restart — this resets the power management system. The issue is less severe after the 2019 software updates.

Owner tips & cautions

  • TipOn highway trips longer than your EV range, use HV mode from the start rather than draining the battery completely. Keeping 20-30% battery charge allows the electric motor to supplement the gas engine on hills, preventing the power loss scenario entirely.
  • TipIf you experience frequent power loss on your commute, ask the dealer specifically for TSB 19-056 and TSB 20-008 software updates. Not all dealers proactively apply these unless you request them.
Typical repair cost:$0 - $150
Sources for this issue (2)
  • 2018 Honda Clarity PHEV Complaints — NHTSAnhtsa
  • Loss of Power and Engine Over-Rev — ClarityForum.comowner-report

Research This Issue

Based on 180 owner reports

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
High Confidence180 owner reportsLast reported by owners Mar 2026Reviewed Mar 2026

Subaru WRX STI · 2004–2021

Link to this issueError Codes:P0011P0021P0010P0020

The Active Valve Control System (AVCS) solenoids on the EJ257 engine are prone to failure from oil contamination and carbon buildup. When they stick or fail, the ECU cannot properly adjust camshaft timing, causing rough idle, hesitation, and reduced power. The solenoids are oil-controlled and degrade faster with extended oil change intervals or contaminated oil.

Common Symptoms

  • Check engine light with AVCS-related codes
  • Rough or hunting idle
  • Hesitation on acceleration
  • Reduced power in mid-range RPMs
  • Occasional stalling at idle

How to Fix

Replace the failed AVCS solenoid(s) — there are two on the EJ257, one per bank ($80-$150 each for parts). Clean the oil passages feeding the solenoids during replacement. Use OEM Subaru solenoids for reliability. Prevent future failures by using quality synthetic oil and changing every 3,000-4,000 miles under hard driving conditions. Some owners clean solenoids with brake cleaner as a temporary fix.

What you need to fix it

Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.

  • Genuine Subaru 10921AA020 Intake AVCS Oil Control Valve

    early intake OCV only after that valve fails electrical/hydraulic response testing Fitment/availability: EJ257 model years 2004-2006 intake AVCS position; sold individually, confirm VIN and bank Fitment/availability: In stock and ready t…

    Rallispec
  • Genuine Subaru 10921AA080 Intake AVCS Oil Control Valve

    middle intake OCV branch only after that valve fails electrical/hydraulic response testing Fitment/availability: EJ257 model years 2006-2010 intake AVCS position; overlap years require VIN confirmation, sold individually Fitment/availabi…

    Rallispec
  • Genuine Subaru 10921AA140 Intake AVCS Oil Control Valve

    late intake OCV branch only after that valve fails electrical/hydraulic response testing Fitment/availability: EJ257 model years 2010-2021 intake AVCS position; overlap years require VIN confirmation, sold individually Fitment/availabili…

    Rallispec
  • Genuine Subaru 10917AA060 Right Exhaust AVCS Oil Control Valve and Holder

    right exhaust valve/holder assembly only after right exhaust response or contamination failure is proven Fitment/availability: EJ257 model years 2008-2021 right-hand exhaust AVCS position only; confirm VIN Fitment/availability: In stock …

    Rallispec
  • Genuine Subaru 10917AA070 Left Exhaust AVCS Oil Control Valve and Holder

    left exhaust valve/holder assembly only after left exhaust response or contamination failure is proven Fitment/availability: EJ257 model years 2008-2021 left-hand exhaust AVCS position only; confirm VIN Fitment/availability: In stock and…

    Rallispec

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.

Owner tips & cautions

  • TipClean your AVCS solenoids every 30,000 miles as preventive maintenance. Remove them, spray with brake cleaner, and reinstall. Takes 20 minutes per side.
  • TipShort oil change intervals (3,000-4,000 miles) with quality synthetic oil are the best prevention. The EJ257 is hard on oil and dirty oil kills AVCS solenoids.
Typical repair cost:$150 - $500

Research This Issue

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
High Confidence

Chevrolet Equinox · 2010–2017

Link to this issueError Codes:P0521P0010

The 2.4L Ecotec (LAF/LEA) four-cylinder used in 2010-2017 Equinox (and its GMC Terrain twin) consumes oil at an abnormal rate — frequently as much as 1 quart per 1,000-2,000 miles — due to low-tension/stuck oil-control piston rings combined with PCV-system issues that draw oil past the rings. Owners report blue exhaust smoke on startup and acceleration, low-oil warnings between changes, and in severe cases engine damage when the oil level drops unnoticed. GM acknowledged the defect in a 2015 service bulletin instructing dealers to replace the four piston assemblies on affected engines, and nearly 400 NHTSA complaints describe the same failure. A $42M class-action settlement (final approval Nov 2019) covered 2010-2013 vehicles, and a January 2023 suit extended claims to 2014-2017 units.

Common Symptoms

  • Low oil level between changes / oil light comes on
  • Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration
  • Burning more than 1 quart per 1,000-2,000 miles
  • Engine knock or damage if run low on oil
  • Fouled spark plugs

How to Fix

Have an oil-consumption test performed (documented quart-per-mile measurement) to qualify for goodwill/settlement coverage. The proper repair is replacement of all four piston assemblies with updated rings; clean or replace the PCV orifice and check for carbon buildup. Check oil at every fuel fill as an interim measure to avoid running low. If out of coverage, expect ring/piston replacement or, where the engine was damaged from oil starvation, a long-block replacement.

Typical repair cost:$1,500 - $5,000
Sources for this issue (1)
  • NHTSA Manufacturer Communications Data Corpusnhtsa

Research This Issue

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Jun 2026

Volkswagen Passat · 2008–2017

Link to this issueError Codes:P0011P0012P0010

The intake camshaft adjuster solenoid and cam phaser on the 2.0T TSI Passat can fail, causing rattling noises and poor engine performance. The cam adjuster uses oil pressure to vary valve timing, and when the internal seals wear or the solenoid sticks, timing control is lost. This issue often presents alongside timing chain tensioner problems and is aggravated by extended oil change intervals.

Common Symptoms

  • Rattling noise from top of engine
  • Check engine light
  • Rough idle
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Reduced power on acceleration

How to Fix

Replace the camshaft adjuster unit and the cam position solenoid valve. If the timing chain is also stretched, replace the full timing kit at the same time to avoid doing the labor-intensive job twice. Use VW-spec 502.00 or 504.00 oil and maintain strict 5,000-7,500 mile oil change intervals to protect the variable valve timing system.

Typical repair cost:$800 - $2,000
Sources for this issue (1)
  • EricTheCarGuy - How to Diagnose and Replace Camshaft Phaser on 2.0T Volkswagen Passatvideo

Research This Issue

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
Medium Confidence

Find P0010 by make

Browse every documented model and issue for your make.

Chevrolet · 1 issueHonda · 1 issueMercedes-Benz · 4 issuesMINI · 1 issueSubaru · 1 issueToyota · 1 issueVolkswagen · 1 issue

P0010 code reference

General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.

Frequently asked questions

What does P0010 mean?

P0010 stands for "Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)." This code points to an electrical problem in the intake camshaft position actuator (variable valve timing) circuit on Bank 1. The computer controls an oil-fed solenoid to advance or retard the intake camshaft for better performance and efficiency, and it has detected the solenoid circuit is open, shorted, or out of range. This is usually an electrical or solenoid fault rather than a mechanical timing problem, though oil-related issues can play a role. You may notice rough running, reduced power, or lower fuel economy.

What are the most common causes of P0010?

The most common causes of P0010 are: Faulty intake camshaft (VVT) oil control solenoid, Damaged, corroded, or loose wiring/connector at the solenoid, Open or short in the actuator circuit, Low or dirty engine oil restricting the solenoid, Clogged solenoid screen or oil passage, Poor electrical ground, Failed PCM/ECM (less common). The specific cause varies by vehicle.

How much does it cost to fix P0010?

Repair costs for P0010 range from $90 to $5,000, depending on the vehicle and root cause.

Which vehicles are affected by P0010?

Au7o has documented P0010 across 10 vehicle models from 7 manufacturers: Chevrolet, Honda, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen.

Related codes

  • P0011 · Intake Camshaft Position Timing - Over-Advanced (Bank 1)
  • P0012 · Intake Camshaft Position Timing - Over-Retarded (Bank 1)
  • P0014 · Exhaust Camshaft Position Timing - Over-Advanced (Bank 1)
  • P0015 · Exhaust Camshaft Position Timing - Over-Retarded (Bank 1)
  • 00522 · Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor (G62): Open Circuit / Short to Positive (B+)
  • 16500 · Engine Coolant Temp. Sensor (G62): Implausible Signal
  • 16502 · Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor (G62): Signal too High
  • 16566 · Mass Air Flow Sensor Signal Too Low (VAG)
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Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.

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