P0016 on Subaru: How to Diagnose & Fix
Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation - Bank 1 Sensor A
3 Subaru models · 3 documented issues · 2 critical · $70-$4,500 repair
P0016 on Subaru by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
The 3.6L EZ36 flat-6 engine uses timing chains instead of belts, but the chains and guides are not maintenance-free as often assumed. The timing chain tensioner and plastic chain guides wear over time, typically after 120,000-180,000 miles. Worn chains stretch, causing rough idle, misfires, and timing-related codes. The EZ36 uses three timing chains (one for each bank plus one for the center) making replacement a complex and labor-intensive job. If a chain jumps timing due to severe stretch or guide failure, valve-to-piston contact can cause catastrophic engine damage.
Common Symptoms
- Rattling or chattering noise from front of engine on cold start
- Rough idle that improves as engine warms
- Check engine light with timing correlation codes (P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019)
- Reduced engine performance
- Engine misfires at idle
- Chain noise that increases over time
How to Fix
Replace all three timing chains, chain tensioners (3 units), chain guides (6 pieces), and chain tensioner shoes. This is a major job requiring 12-16 hours of labor. Use genuine Subaru timing chain kit or quality aftermarket (OSK brand). Replace water pump, thermostat, and front crank seal while the front of the engine is disassembled. Total repair with all components: $2,500-4,000 at an independent shop.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Genuine Subaru 13143AA071 Timing Chain
one of three required chains after mechanical timing diagnosis Fitment/availability: 2008-2014 Tribeca 3.6-liter EZ36; current replacement for 13143AA070, confirm VIN/production date Fitment/availability: ships in 1-3 business days with …
- Genuine Subaru 13143AA081 Timing Chain
second timing chain after diagnosis Fitment/availability: 2008-2014 Tribeca 3.6-liter EZ36; current replacement for 13143AA080, confirm VIN/production date Fitment/availability: ships in 1-3 business days with Add to Cart live when reviewed
- Genuine Subaru 13143AA061 Timing Chain
third timing chain after diagnosis Fitment/availability: 2008-2014 Tribeca 3.6-liter EZ36; current replacement for 13143AA060, confirm VIN/production date Fitment/availability: ships in 1-3 business days with Add to Cart live when reviewed
- Genuine Subaru 13142AA050 Timing Chain Tensioner
one of three position-specific tensioners Fitment/availability: 2008-2014 Tribeca 3.6-liter EZ36, position 13142; confirm VIN Fitment/availability: ships in 1-3 business days with Add to Cart live when reviewed
- Genuine Subaru 13142AA040 Timing Chain Tensioner
second position-specific tensioner Fitment/availability: 2008-2014 Tribeca 3.6-liter EZ36, position 13142B; confirm VIN Fitment/availability: ships in 1-3 business days with Add to Cart live when reviewed
- Genuine Subaru 13142AA080 Timing Chain Tensioner
third position-specific tensioner Fitment/availability: 2008-2014 Tribeca 3.6-liter EZ36, position 13142A; confirm VIN Fitment/availability: ships in 1-3 business days with Add to Cart live when reviewed
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 (4)
The DOHC EJ25 and the 1997-and-later SOHC EJ boxers are interference designs - if the rubber timing belt breaks or jumps teeth, the pistons strike open valves and bend them, often ruining the heads. (The pre-1997 SOHC EJ22 is non-interference; the change to interference on the SOHC came in 1997.) Because these are now 25+ year-old cars, an original or overdue belt is a real risk. Subaru's interval on the later EJ engines is 105,000 miles / 105 months, but age alone degrades the belt, tensioner and idlers.
Common Symptoms
- Engine cranks but will not start after belt snaps
- Sudden stall with rough compression afterward
- Ticking/whirring from front timing cover (failing idler/tensioner)
- Original or unknown-age timing belt at high mileage
How to Fix
Replace the timing belt on schedule (105k/roughly 7 years) together with the tensioner, idler pulleys, water pump and seals as a kit. If a belt has already failed on an interference engine, expect a valve job or head/engine replacement.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Genuine Subaru 13028AA072 EJ25D Timing Belt
scheduled timing belt for the confirmed EJ25D branch Fitment/availability: 1996-1999 Legacy 2.5-liter DOHC EJ25D branch; confirm VIN Fitment/availability: ships in 1-2 business days with Add to Cart live when reviewed
- Genuine Subaru 13028AA102 EJ22 Timing Belt
scheduled timing belt for the 1997-1998 EJ22 branch Fitment/availability: 1997-1998 Legacy 2.2-liter EJ22 interference branch; excludes the 1996 non-interference EJ22 and confirm VIN/build Fitment/availability: ships in 1-3 business days…
- Genuine Subaru 13028AA231 Phase II EJ22 Timing Belt
scheduled timing belt for the 1999 EJ22 branch Fitment/availability: 1999 Legacy 2.2-liter EJ22 branch only within this card; not the 1999 EJ25D, confirm VIN Fitment/availability: ships in 1-3 business days with Add to Cart live when rev…
- Genuine Subaru 13033AA042 Hydraulic Timing-Belt Tensioner
hydraulic tensioner renewed with the timing belt Fitment/availability: 1996-1999 Legacy timing-belt branches covered here; confirm VIN/build and tensioner configuration Fitment/availability: ships in 1-3 business days with Add to Cart li…
- Genuine Subaru 13073AA142 Timing-Belt Idler
smooth timing idler in the applicable engine-specific position Fitment/availability: 1996-1999 Legacy EJ22/EJ25D timing applications; confirm VIN, engine, position and quantity Fitment/availability: ships in 1-3 business days with Add to…
- Genuine Subaru 13085AA080 Timing-Belt No. 2 Idler
2 idler in the applicable engine-specific position Fitment/availability: 1996-1999 Legacy EJ22/EJ25D timing applications; confirm VIN, engine, position and quantity Fitment/availability: ships in 1-3 business days with Add to Cart live w…
- Genuine Subaru 13073AA190 Timing-Belt Idler
1999 EJ22-specific additional timing idler shown by the engine catalog Fitment/availability: 1999 Legacy Phase II 2.2-liter EJ22 branch; confirm VIN and idler position Fitment/availability: direct Add to Cart product page live when reviewed
- Genuine Subaru 21111AA007 Water Pump
early water-pump branch when condition or service history warrants replacement Fitment/availability: 1996-1997 Legacy naturally aspirated branch within this card; 1997 overlaps a catalog split, so confirm VIN/build and required seal Fitm…
- Genuine Subaru 21111AA110 Water Pump
later water-pump branch when condition or service history warrants replacement Fitment/availability: 1997-1999 Legacy naturally aspirated EJ22/EJ25D branch; 1997 overlaps a production split, so confirm VIN/build and required seal Fitment…
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)
P0016 means the ECM sees the Bank 1 (passenger-side) intake camshaft out of sync with the crankshaft. Subaru's variable valve timing (AVCS) is oil-pressure driven, so on the FB-series Outback (FB25/FB20) this code is highly sensitive to oil level and condition. The common Subaru-specific chain: neglected/low oil starves the AVCS, and metal debris and sludge clog the tiny filter screens inside the banjo bolts that feed oil to the cam phasers, and/or the Bank 1 intake oil control valve (OCV) sticks. Only after those are ruled out is a stretched timing chain the cause. Subaru has issued service bulletins covering the AVCS/cam-timing code family (P0016-P0019). Chronic oil neglect is the root cause far more often than a mechanical timing failure.
Common Symptoms
- Check engine light
- Rough idle or hesitation
- Rattle at cold start (chain/tensioner in worst cases)
- Reduced power/fuel economy
- Occasional hard start
How to Fix
Check oil first — level to the full mark and condition (should not be black/gritty); change oil and filter with the specified 0W-20 synthetic if degraded, then clear and re-drive. If it returns, remove and clean or replace the clogged banjo-bolt filter screens and replace the Bank 1 intake oil control valve (OCV, ~$70-180 part). Verify actual VVT advance angle with a scan tool; only replace the timing chain/guides if mechanical stretch is confirmed. ECM VVT learned values may need a reset.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Genuine Subaru 10921AA231 Oil Control Valve
only when the correlation diagnostic proves an OCV fault Fitment/availability: 2013-2017 Outback 2.5-liter FB25 branch; confirm VIN and bank/position Fitment/availability: Add to Cart live when reviewed
- Genuine Subaru 10921AA23B Oil Control Valve
later OCV only after failed test results Fitment/availability: 2018-2019 Outback 2.5-liter FB25 branch within this card; confirm VIN and position Fitment/availability: ships in 1-3 business days with Add to Cart live when reviewed
- Genuine Subaru 14451AA050 Cam-Carrier Oil Filter
conditional filter renewal, not an automatic P0016 repair Fitment/availability: FB25 Outback branch; quantity and exact position must follow the current service procedure Fitment/availability: ships in 1-3 business days with Add to Cart …
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)
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 Subaru?
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 Subaru it is documented across 3 models: Tribeca, Legacy, Outback.
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 Subaru?
Published repair estimates on Subaru range from $70 to $4,500 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.
Looking for P0016 on a different make?
View P0016 across all makes →Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.