P0017 on Audi: How to Diagnose & Fix
Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation - Bank 1 Sensor B
7 Audi models · 7 documented issues · 7 critical · $1,000-$12,000 repair
P0017 on Audi by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
The Q5 2.0T uses the EA888 engine with the well-documented timing chain tensioner weakness. Audi's timing chain/tensioner limited warranty extension (Warranty Key U35) covered only 2011-2012 Q5 models with the 2.0L EA888 engine. The tensioner loses pressure overnight, allowing chain slack on cold starts that progressively worsens until the chain jumps timing.
Common Symptoms
- Rattling on cold start lasting 1-5 seconds
- Rattle gets progressively longer over weeks
- Check engine light with timing codes
- Engine misfires
- Loss of power
- Engine runs rough after sitting overnight
How to Fix
Replace timing chain, tensioner (latest revision 06K109467K), guides, and upper chain tensioner as a complete kit. The Q5 requires more labor than the A4 due to engine bay packaging. Preventive replacement at 80,000 miles is strongly recommended, especially on pre-2013 engines.
Sources for this issue (1)
The C6 A6 with the 3.2L V6 and 4.2L V8 engines suffers from timing chain tensioner failures due to wear over time. Audi designates the chains and tensioners as "lifetime" parts requiring no maintenance, but they fail as early as 80,000-120,000 miles. The 3.2L engine has 4 chains, 3 tensioners, and several guides—all prone to wear. A loud rattling or clicking noise on cold start from the upper rear of the engine is the classic symptom of failing tensioners. If ignored, the timing chain can jump or break, causing catastrophic valve-to-piston contact and complete engine destruction. The transmission must be removed for full access, making this a labor-intensive repair. AudiWorld forums report low-mileage cars with stretched chains due to the design flaw.
Common Symptoms
- Rattling or clicking noise from rear of engine on cold start
- Metallic clattering that disappears after engine warms up
- Check engine light with timing/cam correlation codes (P0016, P0017)
- Rough idle or hesitation
- Engine won't start (if chain has jumped)
- Severe engine damage if chain breaks (bent valves, destroyed pistons)
How to Fix
PREVENTIVE REPLACEMENT: Replace ALL timing chains, tensioners, and guides at 80,000-100,000 miles before failure occurs. The repair requires removing the transmission for access. Labor is 15-20 hours. Replace oil pump chain as well. Use OEM Audi parts only—aftermarket tensioners fail quickly. If rattling has started, DO NOT delay—engine damage can occur within weeks. Some owners opt for engine replacement ($8,000-$12,000) if severe damage has occurred. The known Audi/VW timing-chain class settlements cover 1.8L and 2.0L four-cylinder engines, not the 3.2L V6 or 4.2L V8.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Bank 2 (left) upper timing-chain tensionerOEM06E109217AMCross-ref06E109217AH
Confirm VIN and engine before ordering; do not use this link for a 2011 A6 without Audi VIN confirmation.
- Bank 1 (right) upper timing-chain tensionerOEM06E109218APCross-ref06E109218AJ
Confirm VIN and engine before ordering; do not use this link for a 2011 A6 without Audi VIN confirmation.
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
- TipRecord a true first-start-of-the-day video. The Audi TSB is limited to a brief one-to-three-second cold-start rattle.
- WarningDo not use this TSB to self-diagnose persistent rattle, warm-engine noise, rough running, a no-start, or cam-crank correlation faults.
Sources for this issue (2)
The B6/B7 S4's 4.2L V8 (BBK/BHF) drives its timing chains from the BACK of the engine, against the firewall. What owners call "timing chain failure" is really the plastic chain guides, the chain tensioners and the two camshaft adjusters wearing out and disintegrating. Forum documentation shows plastic guide fragments sitting on the chains, with cases reported at roughly 100k-112k miles. Because the chain drive is at the rear, there is no way in from the front of the car: the engine (or at minimum the whole drivetrain assembly on a subframe drop) must come out. This is the single defining failure of this generation and is NOT shared with the B5 2.7T (belt-driven) or the B8/B9 V6s. Left alone, a snapped guide lets the chain jump timing and destroys valves and pistons on an interference engine.
Common Symptoms
- Rattle or slapping noise from the rear of the engine, worst on cold start
- Camshaft position / timing correlation fault codes
- Check engine light with timing-related codes
- Plastic fragments found on the chains or in the oil pan during inspection
- Rough running or no-start if the chain has jumped
How to Fix
There is no recall or warranty extension - this is an out-of-warranty owner expense. The correct repair is engine-out: replace all chain guides (metal replacement guides such as the JHM intermediate kit are preferred over the failure-prone plastic OEM part), both chain tensioners, and BOTH camshaft adjusters while access is available. Because the labor is the entire cost, most shops and owners do the clutch and rear main seal at the same time. Do not attempt a partial repair that leaves the original adjusters in - they are the second most common failure and require the same engine pull.
Sources for this issue (3)
The B8/B8.5 A5 with the 2.0 TFSI engine (2008-2016) suffers from premature timing chain tensioner failure, identical to the A4 and A6. The tensioners wear out between 60,000-120,000 miles, causing the timing chain to stretch and rattle. A loud rattling noise on cold start from the front of the engine is the classic warning sign. If ignored, the timing chain can jump timing or break, causing catastrophic valve-to-piston contact and destroying the engine. Early B8 models (2008-2012) are more prone to failure than later B8.5 models (2013-2016). A5OC forum members report many failures under 100,000 miles, with some owners experiencing complete engine destruction. The repair requires removing the front of the engine and costs $2,000-$5,000. Some owners report oil consumption issues leading to accelerated tensioner wear.
Common Symptoms
- Loud rattling or clattering noise from front of engine on cold start
- Metallic rattling that disappears after 10-30 seconds of warm-up
- Check engine light with timing correlation codes (P0016, P0017)
- Rough idle or misfires
- Engine won't start (if chain has jumped)
- Catastrophic engine damage if chain breaks (bent valves, destroyed pistons)
How to Fix
Preventive replacement: replace the timing chain, tensioners, and guides at 80,000-100,000 miles before rattling starts ($2,000-$3,000). If rattling has already begun, do not delay—the chain can jump at any moment. Repair requires removing front engine cover, water pump, and thermostat. Labor is 8-12 hours. Use only OEM Audi parts—aftermarket tensioners fail quickly. Change oil every 5,000 miles and check oil level weekly to prevent accelerated wear. If catastrophic failure occurs, engine replacement ($6,000-$10,000) may be more cost-effective than rebuild.
Sources for this issue (2)
The D3-generation S8 uses the 5.2L FSI V10 (shared lineage with the Lamborghini Gallardo/R8 V10). Its timing is driven by chains with plastic guides and hydraulic tensioners located at the rear of the engine. Over time and with deferred oil changes, the tensioners and guides wear, producing a rattle on cold startup that can persist. If a guide breaks or the chain skips, valve-to-piston contact can cause catastrophic engine damage. Access is poor (rear of the V10), making this an engine-out-level job and one of the most expensive risks on the D3 S8.
Common Symptoms
- Rattle from engine on cold startup
- Metallic chain noise from rear of engine
- Rough running or misfire if timing has shifted
- Check engine light for camshaft/crankshaft correlation
How to Fix
Investigate any cold-start rattle promptly: inspect tensioner travel and guide condition. Replace the timing chains, tensioners, and plastic guides as a set with updated genuine parts; this is a major, labor-intensive repair (often engine-out). Strictly follow short oil-change intervals with the correct grade to maximize tensioner/guide life, and address any low-oil-pressure condition immediately. Do not drive a V10 with a persistent timing rattle.
Sources for this issue (2)
The 4.2L FSI V8 (BAR) in the first-generation Q7 4L uses a rear-mounted timing chain drive with plastic chain guides and hydraulic tensioners. The guides embrittle and the tensioners lose their ability to take up slack, especially on engines run past their oil-change interval or on short trips where sludge forms. Owners first hear a brief rattle at cold start that grows into a constant rattle or whine, and eventually the chain jumps a tooth and sets cam/crank correlation faults. Because the chain drive is at the back of the engine, the correct repair requires pulling the engine (or engine and transmission) out of the vehicle - which is why this failure so often totals an otherwise good high-mileage Q7.
Common Symptoms
- Rattle from the rear of the engine on cold start
- Rattle that persists after warm-up on higher-mileage engines
- Check engine light with camshaft position correlation faults
- Rough running or misfire after the chain jumps a tooth
- No-start or engine damage if the chain skips under load
How to Fix
At the first sign of persistent cold-start rattle, scan for cam/crank correlation codes and have the chain stretch measured. The proper repair is engine-out replacement of the timing chains, all plastic guides, and both hydraulic tensioners with the latest revised parts, plus new chain-drive seals. Prevention: 5,000-mile full-synthetic oil changes rather than the long factory interval, and never top up with the wrong grade.
Sources for this issue (2)
P0017 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 P0017 mean on a Audi?
P0017 stands for "Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation - Bank 1 Sensor B." This code means the engine computer has detected that the crankshaft and the Bank 1 'B' camshaft (typically the exhaust camshaft) are out of their proper timing relationship with each other. The computer compares the crankshaft position signal to the camshaft position signal, and when they don't line up within the allowed window, it sets this correlation code. This usually points to mechanical timing being off, most often from a stretched or worn timing chain, a slipped or stuck variable valve timing phaser, or a tensioner problem. You may notice rough running, low power, rattling at startup, or a no-start, and it should be addressed promptly to avoid valve-to-piston contact on some engines. On Audi it is documented across 7 models: Q5, A6, S4, A5, S8, Q7, Q2.
What are the most common causes of P0017?
The most common causes of P0017 are: Stretched or worn timing chain, Worn or failed timing chain tensioner or guides, Stuck or faulty variable valve timing (VVT) cam phaser, Faulty VVT oil control/solenoid valve, Low or dirty engine oil affecting phaser operation, Faulty camshaft or crankshaft position sensor, Timing chain jumped a tooth or incorrect timing after service, Damaged reluctor (tone) ring. The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0017 on a Audi?
Published repair estimates on Audi range from $1,000 to $12,000 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.