P0016 on BMW: How to Diagnose & Fix
Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation - Bank 1 Sensor A
8 BMW models · 10 documented issues · 10 critical · $800-$25,000 repair
P0016 on BMW by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
The BMW S55 twin-turbo inline-6 engine has a critical design vulnerability where the crank hub is secured only by a single bolt with friction material - no keyway or mechanical lock. Under high load conditions such as aggressive downshifts, hard acceleration, or increased boost from tuning, the crank hub can slip. When this occurs, camshaft timing is thrown off and can cause catastrophic engine damage.
Common Symptoms
- No warning before the hub slips
- Engine misfires or runs rough after the hub slips
- Check engine light with timing-related fault codes
- Sudden loss of power
How to Fix
Install crank bolt capture plate over existing crank bolt (4-5 hours labor) as preventative measure. Upgrade to keyed/pinned crank hub assembly (Studio RSR, BimmerWorld). Spline-lock crank hub kits provide mechanical lock rather than friction. Essential for any tuned S55 or vehicles used on track.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- FCP Euro comprehensive pinned S55 crank-hub installation kit 11237574827KT1OEM11237574827Cross-refKIT-11237574827KT1
Fitment: 2015-2018 BMW M3 F80 S55 after FCP vehicle-selector and transmission/drivetrain confirmation; requires specialist drilling/timing work..
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.
Sources for this issue (2)
The N20 turbocharged four-cylinder in E84 X1 models is prone to premature timing chain guide wear and failure. Plastic chain guides become brittle and can break, causing chain slack, jumped timing, and potential catastrophic engine damage. Most failures occur between 60,000-100,000 miles.
Common Symptoms
- Rattling or whining noise from front of engine on cold start
- Check Engine light with timing-related codes
- Rough idle or misfires
- Reduced engine power
- Engine stalling at idle
- Metal shavings in oil during oil change
How to Fix
Replace timing chain, guides, tensioner, and both sprockets as a complete kit. The repair requires removing the front of the engine and is labor-intensive. Updated guide materials are available. Preventive replacement at 80,000 miles is recommended for high-mileage N20 engines.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- FCP Euro N20/N26 comprehensive timing-chain kit 11318648732KTCross-refKIT-11318648732KT
Confirmed E84 N20/N26 timing-chain and guide repair. Fitment: 2013-2015 E84 X1 N20 where FCP vehicle validation confirms the rear-wheel-drive-application kit; verify VIN, production date and installer-required kit completeness..
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.
Sources for this issue (3)
The N20 four-cylinder engine in the 1 Series is prone to premature timing chain stretch and guide failure, particularly in models built before 2015. The plastic chain guides become brittle over time and can break apart, allowing chain slack that leads to jumped timing. This can cause catastrophic engine damage if the chain skips enough teeth.
Common Symptoms
- Rattling noise from front of engine on cold start
- Check Engine light with codes P0016 or P0017 (cam/crank correlation)
- Rough idle that smooths out after warming up
- Reduced engine power or limp mode
- Metallic scraping sound from timing cover area
- Engine misfires at low RPM
How to Fix
Replace the timing chain, tensioner, and all chain guides. BMW released an updated chain guide design for 2015+ production. On earlier models, use the updated parts during replacement. The job requires removing the front of the engine and is labor-intensive (8-12 hours). Some owners opt for preventive replacement at 60,000-80,000 miles.
Sources for this issue (2)
The M2 Competition uses the same S55 engine as the F80 M3 and F82/F83 M4, with the same crank hub design. The crankshaft, a friction disc and the timing sprocket are not keyed together. A central bolt clamps them, and that clamping friction is the only thing holding the cam timing in place. A hard load or sudden shock can overcome the friction, and then the timing sprocket turns separately from the crank. Aggressive downshifts, hard launches, repeated high-rev track use and remaps that bring in torque early are all linked to it. Launch control has been linked to failures on otherwise standard cars. The crank bolt can also loosen over time. Once the timing jumps, valves and pistons can collide, and the engine can be badly damaged or destroyed. On a stock car driven on the road, specialists say failure is rare but not unheard of. The risk goes up on remapped, tracked or hard-driven cars: some UK specialists estimate that about 1-2% of remapped S55s slip over time, and more on track cars. BMW has issued no recall or service bulletin. The S58 engine that replaced the S55 (G80 M3, G87 M2) uses a one-piece keyed hub.
Common Symptoms
- Often no warning before failure: specialists report no warning light, misfire or rattle before the hub lets go
- Check engine light with timing-related fault codes
- Rough running or misfires after the timing has shifted
- Sudden severe engine damage (bent valves, damaged pistons) if the timing jumps far enough
How to Fix
This is an aftermarket fix. BMW does not require it, and no recall or service bulletin covers it. First decide how much risk your car carries. If it's stock and driven on the road, specialists rate the risk as low. If it's remapped, tracked, launched hard or about to be tuned, sellers and specialists recommend an upgraded hub. If you already see timing-related fault codes or the engine is running badly, have a specialist check the cam timing before you drive it hard. The options, from least to most involved, are: (1) A crank bolt capture plate (for example ARD). It stops the central bolt backing out but does not stop the hub slipping. (2) A one-piece spline-driven hub with a capture plate (for example the VTT Spline-Lock). No drilling is needed. (3) A keyed or pinned hub that locks the sprocket to the crank mechanically (for example Kotte, Insane Performance, or the SSR double-keyed kit, which BimmerWorld lists at $949 for the part). (4) A 4-pin hub for high-power track builds. Fitting is a specialist job. On the SSR kit it means removing the oil pan, removing or securing the subframe, steering and suspension, taking off the valve cover, using BMW timing tools and drilling the crankshaft. A bad install can damage the engine. None of the cited sources gives a fitting cost, so get a quote from a specialist.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- FCP Euro comprehensive pinned S55 crank-hub installation kit 11237574827KT1OEM11237574827Cross-refKIT-11237574827KT1
Fitment: 2019-2020 BMW M2 Competition F87 with S55 within this issue's scope and after FCP vehicle-selector confirmation; verify transmission/drivetrain, kit contents and special-tool requirements before ordering..
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.
Sources for this issue (5)
- SSR Performance Double-Keyed 4-Pin Crank Hub - F87 M2, F80 M3, F82 M4 (S55) - BimmerWorldarticle
- BMW M2 Competition in for a crank hub - Garage Whifbitzarticle
- How to Stop S55 Crank Hub Disaster (ML Performance)specialist article
- BMW S55 Crank Hub Failure - What It Is and How to Fix It (5150 AutoSport)vendor article
- BMW Crank Hub Upgrade S55B30 F8X M2C/M3/M4 (Bar-Tek)vendor product page
The S55 engine in the F82/F83 M4 (2015-2020), which is also used in the F80 M3 and M2 Competition, has a factory crank hub that is not keyed to the crankshaft. The timing parts are held in alignment only by friction washers and the clamping force of the central crank bolt. Under high load, hard launches or sudden throttle changes, those friction surfaces can slip. When that happens the engine falls out of timing, and if it moves far enough the pistons can hit the valves, which can ruin the engine. Tuned and tracked cars are discussed most, but specialist shops also report hub failures on cars at stock power in normal driving. BMW has not issued a recall or service bulletin for it, so the problem is known mainly through owner reports and aftermarket specialists.
Common Symptoms
- Sudden catastrophic engine failure with no warning
- Rough idle or vibration (early warning if hub is starting to slip)
- Check engine light with timing correlation codes (P0016, P0017)
- Misfire codes across all cylinders
- Metal-on-metal noise from front of engine
- Engine won't start after catastrophic failure
How to Fix
What to check first: if the car shows timing-correlation codes (P0016/P0017), misfires on all cylinders, or runs rough after a hard pull, stop driving it and have a BMW specialist check cam-to-crank timing with the correct locking tools before the engine is run again. If the hub has slipped, the engine has to be re-timed and checked for valve damage before any new hub is fitted. Prevention: BMW has no bulletin, recall or updated factory part for this. The owner-community remedy is an aftermarket hub that cannot slip. Options include one-piece billet hubs that remove the friction plates, offered pinned or unpinned (MMX/MMR, 034Motorsport), some with an optional capture plate over the crank bolt, and kits that drill and pin the factory hub and add a keyed hub (Evolve). Many owners fit one as insurance, especially before tuning or track use. It is an aftermarket modification, not a BMW-specified repair. The work means removing the engine's front cover and the crank pulley; some shops also drop the oil pan to clear out drill shavings. It needs specialist tools, training and the exact torque procedure (MMX lists 100 Nm plus 270 degrees for its S55 bolt). Have it done by a shop that has done this job before. Cost: one retailer lists the MMX hub kit at AUD $1,220-$1,420 for parts only. No source gives an installed price, so get a quote from a specialist.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- FCP Euro comprehensive pinned S55 crank-hub installation kit 11237574827KT1OEM11237574827Cross-refKIT-11237574827KT1
Fitment: 2015-2020 F82/F83 M4 S55 after FCP vehicle-selector and transmission/drivetrain confirmation; requires specialist drilling and timing work..
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.
Sources for this issue (3)
Certain model-year 2010-2011 E70 X5 xDrive30i vehicles (N52 inline-six) are included in BMW/NHTSA safety recall 23V-707. Fasteners in the intake and exhaust VANOS adjustment units can loosen or break, causing incorrect camshaft adjustment, unusual engine noise, rough running, a check-engine warning, reduced-power mode, a no-start condition, or, rarely, an engine stall. These symptoms and VANOS/camshaft faults do not by themselves prove that a VANOS control solenoid has failed, and the recall does not apply to every X5 engine or model year.
Common Symptoms
- Check-engine or reduced-power warning
- Rough engine operation
- Unusual mechanical noise from the engine
- No-start condition
- Engine stall in the recall-defined failure case
How to Fix
Enter the VIN in BMW's official recall lookup and have an authorized BMW center complete recall 23V-707 if it is open. BMW's procedure is inspection-dependent: intact affected bolts are replaced; if bolts are loose or broken, the affected VANOS adjustment unit is replaced, and missing fragments must be recovered. The recall repair is free, so do not buy a solenoid or VANOS part first. If the VIN is outside the recall or a fault remains after the remedy, use BMW-capable diagnostics to test oil supply and pressure, wiring, sensors, control solenoids, adjustment units, and mechanical timing before selecting a part. If the engine runs roughly, makes unusual mechanical noise, loses power, or stalls, move out of traffic safely, stop driving, and contact BMW for transport guidance.
Owner tips & cautions
- TipCheck the VIN for recall 23V-707 before paying for VANOS diagnosis or parts; BMW performs an open recall remedy free of charge.
- WarningA VANOS or camshaft fault is not proof of a failed solenoid. The recall remedy depends on the bolt inspection, and non-recall faults require BMW-capable diagnosis before any part is ordered.
Sources for this issue (3)
P0016 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 P0016 mean on a BMW?
P0016 stands for "Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation - Bank 1 Sensor A." P0016 means the engine computer found that the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors on Bank 1 (Sensor A) are not lining up the way they should — the timing 'correlation' between them is out of range. These two sensors tell the computer where the pistons and valves are so it can time fuel injection and spark precisely. When their signals don't agree within tolerance, the computer sets this code. It generally indicates an engine timing issue, which may be a worn timing chain, a sticking variable valve timing component, or a sensor problem, and can cause rough running, hard starting, or potential engine damage if ignored. On BMW it is documented across 8 models: M3, X1, 1 Series, M2, M4, X5, X6, 5 Series.
What are the most common causes of P0016?
The most common causes of P0016 are: Stretched timing chain or worn timing components (guides/tensioner), Faulty camshaft position sensor or crankshaft position sensor, Stuck or faulty variable valve timing (VVT/VCT) actuator or solenoid, Low or dirty engine oil affecting the VVT actuator, Clogged oil control valve or restricted oil passages, Timing chain/belt installed one tooth off after service, Damaged reluctor/tone ring on the crankshaft or camshaft, Wiring or connector faults at the position sensors. The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0016 on a BMW?
Published repair estimates on BMW range from $800 to $25,000 depending on the model and root cause. If an issue mentions a recall or campaign, check your VIN with the manufacturer or NHTSA and confirm eligibility and coverage with a dealer.
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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.