P0017 on a 2012 Ram 1500
Crank/Cam Correlation (Bank 1 Exhaust)
P0017 on a 2012 Ram 1500 indicates crank/cam correlation (bank 1 exhaust). It usually stays drivable short-term but should be diagnosed promptly. The most common cause is stretched timing chain or worn timing chain guides (typically $800–$3,500). Confirm the root cause before replacing parts.
What does P0017 mean on a 2012 Ram 1500?
P0017 is the exhaust-cam counterpart of P0016. The ECM compares the crankshaft position signal to the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft position signal and finds them more than a calibrated number of degrees out of alignment. This usually means timing chain stretch, a stuck cam phaser unable to return to base position, or a position sensor producing bad data. P0017 is one of the strongest indicators of timing chain wear on engines with dual VVT.
This guide covers P0017 across the 2010-2014 Ram 1500 generation — the symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps below apply to every model year from 2010 through 2014.
Is it safe to drive a 2012 Ram 1500 with P0017?
In most cases a 2012 Ram 1500 stays drivable for short trips with P0017 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 P0017 on a 2012 Ram 1500?
- Check Engine Light is illuminated
- Cold-start rattle or chirp from the front timing cover
- Hard cold start with long crank times
- Loss of low-end torque
- Rough idle and reduced throttle response
- Reduced fuel economy
- Possible engine no-start if timing has slipped enough
What causes P0017 on a 2012 Ram 1500?
| Cause | Likelihood | Estimated repair (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Stretched timing chain or worn timing chain guides | Most common | $800–$3,500 |
| Stuck exhaust cam phaser cannot return to base timing | Common | $400–$1,500 |
| Failed exhaust cam position sensor producing inaccurate readings | Common | $100–$400 |
| Low oil pressure preventing the phaser from holding position | Occasional | $50–$200 |
| Damaged exhaust cam reluctor wheel or tone ring | Occasional | $300–$1,500 |
| Stuck-open exhaust VVT oil control valve | Occasional | $100–$450 |
| Timing chain skipped one tooth after a tensioner failure | Rare | $1,000–$4,000 |
How to diagnose this on a 2012 Ram 1500
-
Check oil level and pressure
P0017 with low oil pressure is the exhaust phaser unable to hold commanded position. Confirm level on level ground with a warm engine and measure oil pressure with a mechanical gauge before replacing parts.
Tools: Dipstick, Mechanical oil pressure gauge
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Watch exhaust cam vs. crank position in live data
The cam-crank offset should remain fixed. An offset that drifts as RPM rises indicates timing chain stretch. A static but wrong offset can mean the chain jumped a tooth. Compare to service-manual specifications.
Tools: Scan tool with dual position PIDs
-
Listen for chain noise at cold start
A 1–3 second cold-start rattle that quiets as oil pressure builds is early chain wear. Continuous rattle indicates advanced wear with imminent failure risk. Use a mechanic's stethoscope on the front timing cover.
Tools: Mechanic's stethoscope
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Test the exhaust cam sensor electrically
Disconnect the sensor and inspect the connector. With a scope, check the signal pattern — should be a clean square wave with no missing pulses. A noisy or absent signal sets P0017 even with a perfect chain.
Tools: Oscilloscope or scan tool with raw sensor PIDs, Multimeter
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Inspect the cam phaser on engines with documented failures
On Ford 5.4 3V Triton, GM 3.6 LFX/LLT, BMW N20/N26, and VW EA888 engines, the exhaust phaser is a common P0017 cause independent of chain wear. A scope on the cam sensor while bidirectionally commanding the OCV will show whether the phaser is responding.
Tools: Bidirectional scan tool, Oscilloscope (optional)
NHTSA complaints & recalls for the 2012 Ram 1500
Owner-reported safety complaints and official recalls filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2012 Ram 1500. Use these to gauge how common a problem is on your specific vehicle before you start chasing Ram 1500 diagnostics.
- ENGINE 162
- POWER TRAIN 92
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 174
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 92
- AIR BAGS 80
7 active recalls
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT Dec 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with…
NHTSA campaign 17V821000 - EQUIPMENT Dec 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. Th…
NHTSA campaign 17V824000 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING Mar 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rho…
NHTSA campaign 18V160000 - EQUIPMENT May 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling aftermarket Mopar Canvas Seat Covers for certain 2012-2016 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. These Mopar canvas seat covers were sold through Chrysler dealerships beginning October 15, 2015. The seat covers can impede the deployment of the seat…
NHTSA campaign 16E041000
How do I fix P0017 on a 2012 Ram 1500?
- Replace timing chain, guides, tensioner, and sprockets as a complete kit
- Replace the exhaust cam phaser / VVT actuator
- Replace the exhaust cam position sensor
- Service or replace the exhaust-side VVT oil control valve
- Address any underlying oil pressure or sludge issue
About the 2010-2014 Ram 1500
The 2010-2014 Ram 1500 was commonly sold with the following powertrains: 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.6L V6, 3.0L EcoDiesel V6. Common trims include Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, Limited.
P0017 on chain-stretch-prone engines
P0017 on these engines should be assumed to be a timing chain problem until proven otherwise — they all have documented chain wear issues:
- GM 3.6 LFX / LLT / LF1 — chain stretch around 80–120k miles
- BMW N20 / N26 2.0T — chronic catastrophic chain failure
- VW / Audi EA888 Gen 1 + 2 — chain stretch at 80–100k
- Ford 5.4 3V Triton V8 — combined phaser and chain failure
- Hyundai / Kia Theta II 2.4 — chain and tensioner failure
On these engines, replace the chain as a complete kit (chain, guides, tensioner, sprockets). Half-replacing leads to repeat failure within 30–50k miles.
Why ignoring P0017 risks engine destruction
The progression of timing chain wear on these engines is:
- P0017 sets intermittently — chain has stretched enough to drift
- P0017 sets every drive cycle — wear is consistent
- Chain rattle becomes audible from the cab
- Chain skips a tooth — valves contact pistons on interference engines
- Engine destroyed — bent valves, possibly damaged head and pistons
The repair bill jumps from $1,500–$3,500 (timing job) at step 2 to $4,000–$10,000+ (rebuilt head or new engine) at step 5. P0017 on a known-affected engine should be fixed within weeks.
P0017 vs P0016
- P0016 — Bank 1 intake cam correlation off
- P0017 — Bank 1 exhaust cam correlation off
Both setting together is strong evidence of timing chain wear since the chain affects both cams equally. Just one bank or one cam setting alone is more likely a single phaser or sensor.
P0017 on a 2012 Ram 1500: frequently asked questions
What does diagnostic trouble code P0017 mean on a 2012 Ram 1500?
P0017 is the exhaust-cam counterpart of P0016. The ECM compares the crankshaft position signal to the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft position signal and finds them more than a calibrated number of degrees out of alignment. This usually means timing chain stretch, a stuck cam phaser unable to return to base position, or a position sensor producing bad data. P0017 is one of the strongest indicators of timing chain wear on engines with dual VVT.
What are the symptoms of P0017 on a 2012 Ram 1500?
Check Engine Light is illuminated. Cold-start rattle or chirp from the front timing cover. Hard cold start with long crank times. Loss of low-end torque. Rough idle and reduced throttle response. Reduced fuel economy. Possible engine no-start if timing has slipped enough
What causes P0017 on a 2012 Ram 1500?
Stretched timing chain or worn timing chain guides (most-common). Stuck exhaust cam phaser cannot return to base timing (common). Failed exhaust cam position sensor producing inaccurate readings (common). Low oil pressure preventing the phaser from holding position (occasional). Damaged exhaust cam reluctor wheel or tone ring (occasional). Stuck-open exhaust VVT oil control valve (occasional). Timing chain skipped one tooth after a tensioner failure (rare)
Is it safe to drive a 2012 Ram 1500 with P0017?
In most cases a 2012 Ram 1500 stays drivable for short trips with P0017 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.