P0014 on Toyota vehicles
Exhaust Cam Over-Advanced (Bank 1, VVT) — what it means on a Toyota, whether it's safe to drive, and the fixes by model and year.
P0014 on a Toyota means exhaust cam over-advanced (bank 1, vvt). Most vehicles stay drivable short-term, but diagnose it promptly. The most common cause is stuck or sludged exhaust-side vvt oil control valve (typically $100–$450). Pick your Toyota model below for its known failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
What does P0014 mean on a Toyota?
P0014 is set when the engine control module commands the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft to a specific advance position and the actual cam position does not match within tolerance. On engines with dual-cam VVT (intake + exhaust phasers), P0014 is the exhaust-side counterpart of P0011. The cause is almost always the same family of failures: a stuck oil control valve, dirty oil starving the phaser, or the phaser itself failing.
P0014 is a standardized OBD-II code, so its definition is the same on every Toyota. What differs by model and engine is which cause is most likely — pick your Toyota model below for a diagnosis tuned to its known failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
Is it safe to drive a Toyota with P0014?
In most cases a Toyota stays drivable for short trips with P0014 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 P0014 on a Toyota?
| Cause | Likelihood | Estimated repair (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Stuck or sludged exhaust-side VVT oil control valve | Most common | $100–$450 |
| Low engine oil level or pressure starving the exhaust cam phaser | Most common | $50–$200 |
| Sludged oil passages from skipped maintenance | Common | $100–$600 |
| Failed exhaust cam phaser / VVT actuator | Common | $600–$1,800 |
| Stretched timing chain affecting exhaust cam position | Occasional | $800–$3,000 |
| Damaged exhaust cam sensor wiring or connector | Occasional | $80–$350 |
Repair costs are typical US ranges and vary by Toyota 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.
P0014 by Toyota model
Select your Toyota model and year for a P0014 diagnosis tuned to that vehicle's failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
Toyota RAV4
691 NHTSA owner complaints · 9 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Toyota Camry
842 NHTSA owner complaints · 6 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Toyota Corolla
721 NHTSA owner complaints · 8 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Toyota Tacoma
583 NHTSA owner complaints · 15 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Toyota 4Runner
170 NHTSA owner complaints · 16 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Toyota Highlander
650 NHTSA owner complaints · 11 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Toyota Sienna
393 NHTSA owner complaints · 22 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 P0014.
P0014 on other makes
Other codes on Toyota vehicles
P0014 on a Toyota: frequently asked questions
What does diagnostic trouble code P0014 mean on a Toyota?
P0014 is set when the engine control module commands the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft to a specific advance position and the actual cam position does not match within tolerance. On engines with dual-cam VVT (intake + exhaust phasers), P0014 is the exhaust-side counterpart of P0011. The cause is almost always the same family of failures: a stuck oil control valve, dirty oil starving the phaser, or the phaser itself failing. P0014 is a standardized OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on every Toyota — which cause is most likely varies by model and engine.
What are the symptoms of P0014 on a Toyota?
Check Engine Light is illuminated. Rough idle, particularly when the engine is hot. Reduced low-end torque and slow throttle response. Increased emissions at idle. Possible engine stalling at low RPM. Slight reduction in fuel economy. Cold-start rattle from the cam area
What causes P0014 on a Toyota?
Stuck or sludged exhaust-side VVT oil control valve (most-common). Low engine oil level or pressure starving the exhaust cam phaser (most-common). Sludged oil passages from skipped maintenance (common). Failed exhaust cam phaser / VVT actuator (common). Stretched timing chain affecting exhaust cam position (occasional). Damaged exhaust cam sensor wiring or connector (occasional)
Is it safe to drive a Toyota with P0014?
In most cases a Toyota stays drivable for short trips with P0014 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.