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P0017 on a 2022 Chevrolet Trax

Crank/Cam Correlation (Bank 1 Exhaust)

P0017 on a 2022 Chevrolet Trax 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.

Severity: high Safe to drive (short term) Subcompact SUV 2020-2024 Chevrolet Trax

Reviewed by MECH AI Editorial · Last verified

What does P0017 mean on a 2022 Chevrolet Trax?

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 2020-2024 Chevrolet Trax generation — the symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps below apply to every model year from 2020 through 2024.

Is it safe to drive a 2022 Chevrolet Trax with P0017?

In most cases a 2022 Chevrolet Trax 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 2022 Chevrolet Trax?

What causes P0017 on a 2022 Chevrolet Trax?

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 2022 Chevrolet Trax

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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 2022 Chevrolet Trax

Owner-reported safety complaints and official recalls filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2022 Chevrolet Trax. Use these to gauge how common a problem is on your specific vehicle before you start chasing Chevrolet Trax diagnostics.

9 owner complaints
1 involved a crash
  • ENGINE 4
  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1
  • FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3
  • SERVICE BRAKES 1
  • HYDRAULIC 1

How do I fix P0017 on a 2022 Chevrolet Trax?

About the 2020-2024 Chevrolet Trax

The 2020-2024 Chevrolet Trax was commonly sold with the following powertrains: 1.4L Turbo I4, 1.2L Turbo I3. Common trims include LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, Activ.

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:

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:

  1. P0017 sets intermittently — chain has stretched enough to drift
  2. P0017 sets every drive cycle — wear is consistent
  3. Chain rattle becomes audible from the cab
  4. Chain skips a tooth — valves contact pistons on interference engines
  5. 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

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.

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