P0011 on Subaru vehicles
Intake Cam Over-Advanced (Bank 1, VVT) — what it means on a Subaru, whether it's safe to drive, and the fixes by model and year.
P0011 on a Subaru means intake cam over-advanced (bank 1, vvt). Most vehicles stay drivable short-term, but diagnose it promptly. The most common cause is stuck or contaminated vvt oil control valve / solenoid (typically $100–$450). Pick your Subaru model below for its known failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
What does P0011 mean on a Subaru?
P0011 is set when the engine control module commands a variable valve-timing (VVT) advance on the Bank 1 intake camshaft and the actual cam position does not match the commanded position within tolerance. The intake cam is stuck advanced, lagging the command, or oscillating. On most modern engines this is the textbook code for a stuck VVT solenoid, a dirty oil control valve, or oil starvation at the cam phaser.
P0011 is a standardized OBD-II code, so its definition is the same on every Subaru. What differs by model and engine is which cause is most likely — pick your Subaru model below for a diagnosis tuned to its known failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
Is it safe to drive a Subaru with P0011?
In most cases a Subaru stays drivable for short trips with P0011 active, but diagnose and repair it promptly. This is a high-severity code — ignoring it can lead to further damage or a failed emissions test. Exact tolerance depends on the model and engine.
What causes P0011 on a Subaru?
| Cause | Likelihood | Estimated repair (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Stuck or contaminated VVT oil control valve / solenoid — Cleaning or replacing the oil control valve resolves a majority of P0011 cases. | Most common | $100–$450 |
| Low engine oil level or low oil pressure starving the VVT system — Always check oil level and pressure before replacing parts. | Most common | $50–$200 |
| Clogged VVT oil passages from skipped oil changes — Sludge from extended oil change intervals blocks small VVT passages. | Common | $100–$600 |
| Failed or worn cam phaser (variable valve timing actuator) | Common | $600–$1,800 |
| Worn or stretched timing chain affecting cam position accuracy | Occasional | $800–$3,000 |
| Failed camshaft position sensor producing inaccurate readings | Occasional | $100–$400 |
| Wiring fault between PCM and VVT solenoid | Rare | $80–$350 |
Repair costs are typical US ranges and vary by Subaru model, model year, and labor rate. A diagnostic trouble code is a symptom, not a guaranteed failed part — confirm the root cause before replacing anything.
P0011 by Subaru model
Select your Subaru model and year for a P0011 diagnosis tuned to that vehicle's failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
Subaru Outback
1,651 NHTSA owner complaints · 24 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Subaru Forester
765 NHTSA owner complaints · 17 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Complaint and recall counts are NHTSA totals for the model years covered on this site, not counts specific to P0011.
P0011 on other makes
Other codes on Subaru vehicles
P0011 on a Subaru: frequently asked questions
What does diagnostic trouble code P0011 mean on a Subaru?
P0011 is set when the engine control module commands a variable valve-timing (VVT) advance on the Bank 1 intake camshaft and the actual cam position does not match the commanded position within tolerance. The intake cam is stuck advanced, lagging the command, or oscillating. On most modern engines this is the textbook code for a stuck VVT solenoid, a dirty oil control valve, or oil starvation at the cam phaser. P0011 is a standardized OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on every Subaru — which cause is most likely varies by model and engine.
What are the symptoms of P0011 on a Subaru?
Check Engine Light is illuminated. Rough idle, especially at startup. Loss of power and torque, particularly in mid-range RPM. Stalling at idle or when coming to a stop. Reduced fuel economy. Engine may enter limp mode with limited throttle response. Possible rattling sound from the cam area at startup
What causes P0011 on a Subaru?
Stuck or contaminated VVT oil control valve / solenoid (most-common). Low engine oil level or low oil pressure starving the VVT system (most-common). Clogged VVT oil passages from skipped oil changes (common). Failed or worn cam phaser (variable valve timing actuator) (common). Worn or stretched timing chain affecting cam position accuracy (occasional). Failed camshaft position sensor producing inaccurate readings (occasional). Wiring fault between PCM and VVT solenoid (rare)
Is it safe to drive a Subaru with P0011?
In most cases a Subaru stays drivable for short trips with P0011 active, but it should be diagnosed and repaired promptly — this is a high-severity code. Ignoring it can lead to further damage or a failed emissions test. Exact tolerance depends on the model and engine.