P0340 on Chevrolet vehicles
Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Fault — what it means on a Chevrolet, whether it's safe to drive, and the fixes by model and year.
P0340 on a Chevrolet means camshaft position sensor circuit fault. Most vehicles stay drivable short-term, but diagnose it promptly. The most common cause is failed camshaft position sensor (most common after 100k miles) (typically $100–$400). Pick your Chevrolet model below for its known failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
What does P0340 mean on a Chevrolet?
P0340 is set when the engine control module cannot interpret the camshaft position sensor signal on the primary cam (or the single cam on engines with one sensor). The signal might be missing entirely, out of phase with the crankshaft signal, or showing electrical noise. Because the ECM uses cam position to time fuel injection and ignition, a P0340 will typically cause a hard start, a no-start, or a stall.
P0340 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 P0340?
In most cases a Chevrolet stays drivable for short trips with P0340 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 P0340 on a Chevrolet?
| Cause | Likelihood | Estimated repair (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Failed camshaft position sensor (most common after 100k miles) | Most common | $100–$400 |
| Damaged or corroded sensor connector | Common | $50–$250 |
| Chafed or broken sensor wiring | Common | $80–$350 |
| Loose, slipped, or worn camshaft sensor reluctor wheel | Occasional | $300–$1,200 |
| Timing chain stretch causing cam-crank correlation drift | Occasional | $800–$3,000 |
| Failed PCM driver for the cam sensor input (rare) | Rare | $400–$1,500 |
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.
P0340 by Chevrolet model
Select your Chevrolet model and year for a P0340 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 P0340.
P0340 on other makes
Other codes on Chevrolet vehicles
P0340 on a Chevrolet: frequently asked questions
What does diagnostic trouble code P0340 mean on a Chevrolet?
P0340 is set when the engine control module cannot interpret the camshaft position sensor signal on the primary cam (or the single cam on engines with one sensor). The signal might be missing entirely, out of phase with the crankshaft signal, or showing electrical noise. Because the ECM uses cam position to time fuel injection and ignition, a P0340 will typically cause a hard start, a no-start, or a stall. P0340 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 P0340 on a Chevrolet?
Check Engine Light is illuminated. Hard cranking or extended crank time before the engine starts. Intermittent stalling, especially when the engine is hot. Engine cuts out and restarts after a short delay. Possible complete no-start condition. Rough running and reduced power if the engine does run
What causes P0340 on a Chevrolet?
Failed camshaft position sensor (most common after 100k miles) (most-common). Damaged or corroded sensor connector (common). Chafed or broken sensor wiring (common). Loose, slipped, or worn camshaft sensor reluctor wheel (occasional). Timing chain stretch causing cam-crank correlation drift (occasional). Failed PCM driver for the cam sensor input (rare) (rare)
Is it safe to drive a Chevrolet with P0340?
In most cases a Chevrolet stays drivable for short trips with P0340 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.