P0016 on Volkswagen Vehicles
The bank 1 intake cam and the crankshaft are out of step, most often from a stretched or jumped timing chain. P0016 →
7Complaints mentioning the code
#5Rank among 11 brands
3.7%Share of Volkswagen DTC complaints
In NHTSA owner complaints we analyzed for Volkswagen, P0016 was mentioned 7 times.
Notes by brand
Early 1.8T and 2.0T EA888 gasoline engines in the Jetta, GTI, Passat, CC and Tiguan are known for a timing chain tensioner that can lose tension and let the chain jump with little warning. On these engines P0016 calls for an immediate tensioner check through the inspection plug in the timing cover; an updated tensioner design exists.
Most mentioned models
| Volkswagen Passat | 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Cc | 1 | |
| Volkswagen Golf Gti | 1 | |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 1 | |
| Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen | 1 | |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 1 |
Model years mentioned
Components named in these complaints
- Engine (7)
- Vehicle Speed Control (1)
- Power Train (1)
- Fuel/propulsion System (1)
- Electrical System (1)
Often appears together with
P0011
Powertrain
The bank 1 intake cam sits further advanced than the PCM asked for, usually an oil or control…
Moderate
P0068
Powertrain
The airflow the engine measures doesn't match what the throttle opening says it should be.
Moderate
P0300
Powertrain
The engine computer sees misfires that jump between cylinders or hit several cylinders at once.
High
P0301
Powertrain
Cylinder 1 is repeatedly failing to fire. The cause is almost always its coil, plug, injector…
Moderate
P0302
Powertrain
Cylinder 2 keeps misfiring. On inline engines it's a middle cylinder, so rule out coolant…
Moderate
Possible causes
- Timing chain stretched, guides worn or broken, or tensioner no longer holding
- Chain or belt jumped a tooth, or engine timed incorrectly after a repair
- Intake phaser not locking in its base position because of a worn lock pin
- Low oil level or pressure letting the hydraulic tensioner collapse at startup
Related codes
Source: NHTSA Complaints API (US government open data), analyzed by DTC mention.