P0015 on Chevrolet vehicles
Exhaust Cam Over-Retarded (Bank 1, VVT) — what it means on a Chevrolet, whether it's safe to drive, and the fixes by model and year.
P0015 on a Chevrolet means exhaust cam over-retarded (bank 1, vvt). Most vehicles stay drivable short-term, but diagnose it promptly. The most common cause is stuck-closed exhaust-side vvt oil control valve (typically $100–$450). Pick your Chevrolet model below for its known failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
What does P0015 mean on a Chevrolet?
P0015 is set when the engine control module commands the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft ("B" camshaft) to advance and the actual cam position stays too retarded — the phaser will not move off its base position, or moves too slowly to follow the command. It is the exhaust-side mirror of P0012 and the opposite-direction counterpart of P0014. As with every variable valve timing code, the usual causes are hydraulic rather than electronic: the oil control valve, the oil feeding it, or the phaser itself.
P0015 is a standardized OBD-II code, so its definition is the same on every Chevrolet. What differs by model and engine is which cause is most likely — pick your Chevrolet model below for a diagnosis tuned to its known failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
Is it safe to drive a Chevrolet with P0015?
In most cases a Chevrolet stays drivable for short trips with P0015 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 P0015 on a Chevrolet?
| Cause | Likelihood | Estimated repair (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Stuck-closed exhaust-side VVT oil control valve — Cleaning the valve and its inlet screen resolves a large share of these before any part is bought. | Most common | $100–$450 |
| Low engine oil level or low oil pressure starving the phaser | Most common | $50–$200 |
| Sludged oil galleries restricting flow to the exhaust phaser | Common | $100–$600 |
| Failed exhaust cam phaser stuck at its base (retarded) position | Common | $600–$1,800 |
| Stretched timing chain preventing the phaser from reaching commanded position | Occasional | $800–$3,000 |
| Exhaust cam position sensor reporting an offset position | Occasional | $100–$400 |
| Wiring fault between the PCM and the exhaust-side oil control valve | Occasional | $80–$350 |
Repair costs are typical US ranges and vary by Chevrolet 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.
P0015 by Chevrolet model
Select your Chevrolet model and year for a P0015 diagnosis tuned to that vehicle's failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
1,648 NHTSA owner complaints · 14 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Chevrolet Equinox
1,100 NHTSA owner complaints · 8 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Chevrolet Tahoe
518 NHTSA owner complaints · 11 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Chevrolet Malibu
1,697 NHTSA owner complaints · 8 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Chevrolet Traverse
795 NHTSA owner complaints · 9 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Chevrolet Trax
117 NHTSA owner complaints · 3 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 P0015.
P0015 on other makes
Other codes on Chevrolet vehicles
P0015 on a Chevrolet: frequently asked questions
What does diagnostic trouble code P0015 mean on a Chevrolet?
P0015 is set when the engine control module commands the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft ("B" camshaft) to advance and the actual cam position stays too retarded — the phaser will not move off its base position, or moves too slowly to follow the command. It is the exhaust-side mirror of P0012 and the opposite-direction counterpart of P0014. As with every variable valve timing code, the usual causes are hydraulic rather than electronic: the oil control valve, the oil feeding it, or the phaser itself. P0015 is a standardized OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on every Chevrolet — which cause is most likely varies by model and engine.
What are the symptoms of P0015 on a Chevrolet?
Check Engine Light is illuminated. Rough idle. Loss of mid-range torque and sluggish acceleration. Engine feels flat or unresponsive under load. Reduced fuel economy. Increased emissions at idle. Possible cold-start rattle from the cam area
What causes P0015 on a Chevrolet?
Stuck-closed exhaust-side VVT oil control valve (most-common). Low engine oil level or low oil pressure starving the phaser (most-common). Sludged oil galleries restricting flow to the exhaust phaser (common). Failed exhaust cam phaser stuck at its base (retarded) position (common). Stretched timing chain preventing the phaser from reaching commanded position (occasional). Exhaust cam position sensor reporting an offset position (occasional). Wiring fault between the PCM and the exhaust-side oil control valve (occasional)
Is it safe to drive a Chevrolet with P0015?
In most cases a Chevrolet stays drivable for short trips with P0015 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.