P0013 on a 2017 Toyota Sienna
Exhaust Cam Actuator Circuit Fault (Bank 1)
P0013 on a 2017 Toyota Sienna indicates exhaust cam actuator circuit fault (bank 1). It usually stays drivable short-term but should be diagnosed promptly. The most common cause is failed exhaust ocv / vvt solenoid coil (open or shorted) (typically $100–$450). Confirm the root cause before replacing parts.
What does P0013 mean on a 2017 Toyota Sienna?
P0013 is an electrical-circuit fault on the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft position actuator (OCV / VVT solenoid). The ECM cannot detect the expected current draw when it commands the solenoid, indicating an open circuit, short, or failed driver. Unlike P0014 (over-advanced) which is a position fault, P0013 is specifically a wiring / coil fault — the ECM is reporting that it cannot even communicate with the actuator.
This guide covers P0013 across the 2015-2019 Toyota Sienna generation — the symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps below apply to every model year from 2015 through 2019.
Is it safe to drive a 2017 Toyota Sienna with P0013?
In most cases a 2017 Toyota Sienna stays drivable for short trips with P0013 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.
What are the symptoms of P0013 on a 2017 Toyota Sienna?
- Check Engine Light is illuminated
- Loss of mid-range torque
- Rough idle when warm
- Hesitation or stumble on light acceleration
- Reduced fuel economy
- Possible engine stalling at low RPM
What causes P0013 on a 2017 Toyota Sienna?
| Cause | Likelihood | Estimated repair (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Failed exhaust OCV / VVT solenoid coil (open or shorted) | Most common | $100–$450 |
| Damaged OCV connector or chafed signal wiring | Common | $50–$250 |
| Corroded connector pins from heat / oil exposure | Common | $30–$200 |
| Shorted-to-power or shorted-to-ground OCV wire | Occasional | $80–$350 |
| Failed PCM driver for the exhaust OCV (rare) | Rare | $400–$1,500 |
How to diagnose this on a 2017 Toyota Sienna
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Measure OCV coil resistance
Unplug the exhaust-side OCV on Bank 1. Measure resistance across the solenoid terminals. Most OCVs read 6 to 15 Ω. Infinite resistance is an open coil; near zero is a shorted coil. Either requires solenoid replacement.
Tools: Multimeter, Service spec sheet
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Inspect the connector
Unplug the connector and look closely for corrosion, bent pins, oil intrusion, or melted insulation. The OCV lives in a hot, oily environment and connectors degrade. Clean with electrical contact cleaner.
Tools: Electrical contact cleaner, Magnifying glass
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Verify wiring continuity to the PCM
With the OCV disconnected and the connector unplugged at the PCM, measure continuity between each wire and its corresponding PCM pin. Open circuit indicates a broken wire. Short to ground or to power indicates chafed insulation contacting nearby metal or a power source.
Tools: Multimeter, Wiring diagram, Back-probe pins
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Command the OCV with a scan tool
Bidirectional scan tools can command the OCV on and off while watching live current draw. A working solenoid clicks audibly when commanded. No click + a P0013 confirms either the coil or the wiring.
Tools: Bidirectional scan tool
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Test for shorted wiring at the engine harness
With the engine off and the OCV unplugged, key on, briefly check the supply wire for unexpected voltage. A "hot" wire with the PCM not commanding the OCV indicates a short to power in the harness.
Tools: Multimeter
NHTSA complaints & recalls for the 2017 Toyota Sienna
Owner-reported safety complaints and official recalls filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2017 Toyota Sienna. Use these to gauge how common a problem is on your specific vehicle before you start chasing Toyota Sienna diagnostics.
- POWER TRAIN 33
- ENGINE 15
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 25
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19
- WHEELS 16
10 active recalls
- STEERING Jul 2019
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain modified 2017-2020 Toyota Sienna vehicles. The steering shaft extensions may have been improperly manufactured, possibly causing the extensions to fracture.…
NHTSA campaign 19V532000 - SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Jun 2019
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Toyota Sienna mobility van conversions. The brake lines may have incorrect tube nut fittings installed, which may cause a pressure drop within the braking system.…
NHTSA campaign 19V410000 - EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS Jun 2019
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply…
NHTSA campaign 19V503000 - SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Jul 2019
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2012-2018 AMS Genesis wheelchair vans, built on a Toyota Sienna vehicles. The rubber brake hoses that attach to the rear wheel assembly may be too short, causing them to rub against the rear axle trailing arm.…
NHTSA campaign 19V553000
How do I fix P0013 on a 2017 Toyota Sienna?
- Replace the exhaust-side VVT oil control valve / OCV
- Repair damaged OCV connector or wiring
- Clean corroded connector pins
- Repair shorted-to-power or shorted-to-ground signal wire
About the 2015-2019 Toyota Sienna
The 2015-2019 Toyota Sienna was commonly sold with the following powertrains: 3.5L V6, 2.5L Hybrid I4. Common trims include LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, Platinum.
P0013 vs P0014
These are the two ways the exhaust VVT system fails on the same hardware:
- P0013 — electrical fault. The ECM cannot drive the solenoid because the circuit is open, shorted, or the coil is dead. No hydraulic action happens at all.
- P0014 — position fault. The solenoid IS being driven, but the cam position does not match what was commanded. The hydraulic side is the problem (sludged passages, failed phaser).
Diagnostic approach differs: P0013 is electrical (resistance, wiring, connector). P0014 is hydraulic (oil pressure, OCV mechanical function, phaser).
When P0013 is the cheap fix
Roughly 60–70 % of P0013 cases trace to the solenoid coil itself — which is a $40–$150 OEM part on most engines and a 10-minute replacement. The other 30–40 % are wiring or connector issues that require a multimeter and patience. The PCM driver failing is rare; do not assume PCM is the cause until everything else has been ruled out.
Why OCV connectors fail in the oil-rich engine bay
The exhaust-side OCV sits on top of the cylinder head — high heat, oil mist, and constant vibration. Standard connector seals harden and crack within 8–10 years of normal use, letting oil migrate up the harness and into the connector. The fix is the connector or the sub-harness, not the OCV.
P0013 on a 2017 Toyota Sienna: frequently asked questions
What does diagnostic trouble code P0013 mean on a 2017 Toyota Sienna?
P0013 is an electrical-circuit fault on the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft position actuator (OCV / VVT solenoid). The ECM cannot detect the expected current draw when it commands the solenoid, indicating an open circuit, short, or failed driver. Unlike P0014 (over-advanced) which is a position fault, P0013 is specifically a wiring / coil fault — the ECM is reporting that it cannot even communicate with the actuator.
What are the symptoms of P0013 on a 2017 Toyota Sienna?
Check Engine Light is illuminated. Loss of mid-range torque. Rough idle when warm. Hesitation or stumble on light acceleration. Reduced fuel economy. Possible engine stalling at low RPM
What causes P0013 on a 2017 Toyota Sienna?
Failed exhaust OCV / VVT solenoid coil (open or shorted) (most-common). Damaged OCV connector or chafed signal wiring (common). Corroded connector pins from heat / oil exposure (common). Shorted-to-power or shorted-to-ground OCV wire (occasional). Failed PCM driver for the exhaust OCV (rare) (rare)
Is it safe to drive a 2017 Toyota Sienna with P0013?
In most cases a 2017 Toyota Sienna stays drivable for short trips with P0013 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.