P0011 Code on a Cadillac: Intake Camshaft Position System Performance, Bank 1 (Cadillac Guide)

P0011 on a Cadillac is "Intake Camshaft Position System Performance – Bank 1": the engine control module (ECM) commanded the bank 1 intake cam to an angle and the cam did not get there. GM uses this one code for an intake cam that is too far advanced or too far retarded, which is why no Cadillac we checked ever shows P0012. What makes P0011 worth reading about on a Cadillac is how different GM's own answers are by engine: on a 2018 XT5 it can be a software fault fixed with a reflash, on a 2007–2010 CTS it can be camshaft end play, on a 2015–2020 Escalade it can come with a crank no start, and on a 2024–2025 CT4 or CT5 GM tells technicians to look for metal in the oil.

What Does P0011 Mean on a Cadillac?

A cam phaser — GM's "camshaft position actuator" — is a hydraulic device. Engine oil, steered by an oil-control solenoid, rotates the camshaft relative to its sprocket. The ECM sets a target angle, the cam position sensor reports the actual angle, and P0011 is the ECM's judgment that the two did not agree for long enough.

GM's 2007 OBD table for the Northstar 4.6L LH2 shows how that is measured: the absolute difference between desired and actual intake cam position is compared with a threshold of about 4 degrees at 104 °C oil temperature, varying with oil temperature and engine speed, and the code needs 100 failing samples out of 300. GM's 2004 LH2 table describes the same idea in both directions — actual cam position beyond the set point plus a tolerance, or short of it.

The test has prerequisites. GM lists it as not running while cam sensor, crank sensor, cam-to-crank correlation or cam phase output driver faults are active. So a P0011 that sets alongside P0010 or a cam sensor code is not the place to start — fix the circuit or sensor first.

"Bank 1" is the bank containing cylinder 1. On the 3.6L and 3.0L V6, GM's labor operations call it the right side: the passenger side on a longitudinal CTS, STS, ATS, CT6, CT5 or 2004–2009 SRX, and the rear bank on a transverse 2010–2016 SRX, XTS, XT5 or XT6. On four-cylinders it is the whole engine. On a pushrod Escalade or CTS-V V8, there is one camshaft and one phaser, and GM reports it under P0011.

Why Cadillacs Show P0011, Not P0012

The generic SAE list splits the intake cam into P0011 ("timing over-advanced or system performance") and P0012 ("timing over-retarded"). Many scan tools and websites follow that split. GM does not on Cadillac engines.

We searched GM's published OBD diagnostic tables from 1996 through 2025 — including every Cadillac engine group we could identify, from the 1997–2001 Catera and the Northstar through the 3.6L V6, the 2.0T and 2.7T four-cylinders and the Escalade V8s. None of them lists P0012. GM's 2007 Northstar and 2011 V8 tables both define P0011 as the absolute difference between desired and actual position, which covers a cam that is late as well as one that is early.

The practical point: if a generic reader shows "P0012" on a Cadillac, read the codes again with a GM-capable tool. And when you read GM's P0011 description, do not assume the cam is over-advanced — it may just as well be stuck retarded.

Which Cadillacs Set P0011

• Northstar 4.6L LH2 with VVT — 2004-and-later XLR, 2005-and-later STS, 2004–2009 SRX V8.
• High Feature V6 — 3.6L LY7, LLT, LFX, LGX; 2.8L LP1; 2.8L turbo LAU; 3.0L LF1; 3.0L twin-turbo LGW and LGY. CTS, STS, SRX, XTS, ATS, CT6, CT5, XT5 and XT6.
• Four-cylinders — 2.0T LTG and 2.5L LCV (ATS, CTS, CT6), 2.0T LSY (XT4, CT4, CT5, four-cylinder XT5/XT6), 2.7T L3B (CT4, CT4-V).
• 6.2L V8s with cam phasing — Escalade (L92, L9H, L94, L86) and the 2016–2019 CTS-V (LT4).

It cannot set on the non-VVT Northstar LD8/L37 (DeVille, DTS, Seville), the 1997–2001 Catera's 3.0L L81, or the 2003–2004 CTS's 3.2L LA3.

GM's Cadillac P0011 Bulletins, Engine by Engine

2007–2010 CTS, STS and SRX V6: camshaft end play

Bulletin 08-06-01-011K covers the 2007–2010 CTS sedan, CTS Sport Wagon, SRX and STS with the 2.8L or 3.6L High Feature V6 (LP1, LLT, LY7). With P0011, P0014, P0021, P0024 or several cam sensor codes, the procedure has the technician measure camshaft end play on the suspect head. At 0.40 mm (0.016 in) or more, a gauge check between the phaser and the front cam cap decides whether thrust washers are installed or the cylinder head is replaced.

2012–2015 SRX, CTS, ATS 3.6L: check the engine sticker

PIP5096C covers the 2012–2015 SRX and CTS and 2013–2015 ATS with the 3.6L LFX (and 3.0L LFW). If P0011, P0014, P0021 or P0024 is set with no drivability complaint, GM says to look at the engine EUN sticker: an "A" before the sequence number means the oil control valve is replaced with a service valve from a different supplier that "can make up the difference in the clearance." GM adds, in capitals: do not just swap from another location.

2013–2014 ATS and 2014 CTS 2.0T/2.5L: clean the screens

PIP5162 covers the 2013–2014 ATS and 2014 CTS sedan with the 2.0L LTG or 2.5L LCV. If service information does not resolve P0011 or P0014, remove the solenoids and inspect their screens for debris, cleaning them if needed. If the code resets or the screens were clean, the next step is removing the actuator for that code, blowing out the oil passages through the solenoid port, and installing a new actuator.

2016–2021 ATS, CTS, CT6, XT5, XT6, CT5: software and park lock valves

PIP5568E (2016–2018 ATS, CT6, CTS, XT5 with LGX or LGW) describes all four cam performance codes setting together, or in pairs, from a software anomaly after an auto stop/restart. GM's instruction, for history codes with no other concern, was to clear the codes and release the car. Service Update N192266190 then had dealers reprogram the ECM on certain 2018 XT5s for the same stop/start symptom — rough running, reduced power or rarely a stall.

PIP5730B (2021) covers 2016–2019 ATS and CTS, 2016–2020 CT6, 2017–2021 XT5, 2020–2021 XT6 with the 3.6L LGX, 3.0L LGW, and 2020–2021 CT5 with the 3.0L LGY. With P0011, P0016, P0018 or P0021 and usually no drivability problem, the cause can be an intake camshaft position actuator park lock solenoid valve sticking or coming apart. GM notes normal diagnosis does not lead technicians there.

Escalade and CTS-V V8: oil feed, wrong cams, and crank no start

PIP5258A covers 2007–2015 Escalade V8s: when P0011 survives the service information flow chart, check oil pressure at the sender and the number 2 cam bearing, which is where oil feeds the actuator. PIP5115 covers 2010–2014 Escalades with the 6.2L L94 that set P0011 after a camshaft replacement: verify the last four digits stamped on the cam match the part number on the box.

PIP5130K covers the 2015–2020 Escalade (L86) and 2016-on CTS-V (LT4): an intermittent crank no start with P0011 or P00C6, low fuel rail pressure and low compression from a sticking actuator solenoid valve holding timing retarded. The first step is cycling the solenoid four or five times with the scan tool.

CT4 and CT5 four-cylinders

PIP5855 covers 2021–2022 CT4 and CT4-V with the 2.7L L3B: any combination of P0011, P0014, P0016 and P0017 from a failed camshaft position actuator magnet, after wiring and terminal checks. PIP5921B (2026) covers the 2020–2023 CT4-V L3B: P0011 and P0016 with a ticking from a loose intake actuator whose cover plate screws can back out into the cam carrier. PIP6047A covers 2024–2025 CT4 and CT5 with the 2.0L LSY: P0011, P0014, P05CC or P05CE with possible metal debris in the oil, checked with a crankshaft end play measurement.

Symptoms of P0011

• Check engine light, often with no drivability change (GM says so in PIP5096C and PIP5730B)
• Rough idle or hesitation, especially after an auto stop/start on 2016–2018 V6 models
• Reduced power or, rarely, a stall
• A ticking from the front of the engine on the CT4-V 2.7T
• Intermittent crank no start on 2015–2020 Escalade and CTS-V V8s
• Companion codes: P0014, P0021, P0024, P0016

Causes and How to Confirm Each

How Is P0011 Diagnosed?

1. Read codes with a GM-capable tool, current and history. Note whether P0010, cam sensor or crank sensor codes are present — those come first.
2. Check oil level, condition and grade. Correct it before anything else.
3. Run a VIN check for the bulletin or update that matches your engine, such as N192266190 on a 2018 XT5.
4. Look at the pattern. All four cam codes in history on a 2016–2018 V6 points at software; one bank only points at hardware on that bank.
5. Command the intake actuator and compare desired and actual angle.
6. Inspect the solenoid and its screen, and on an LFX check the EUN sticker per PIP5096C.
7. Go mechanical last: cam end play, oil feed, phaser condition, oil debris — per the bulletin for your engine.
8. Clear and road test, including stop/start events where fitted.

Parts and Cost

Order valves and actuators by VIN — GM says plainly that the service valve for "A"-sticker LFX engines is a different part, and intake and exhaust parts are not interchangeable.

GM Documents Relevant to P0011 on a Cadillac

Preliminary Information (PIP) documents are technician guidance, not coverage. Have a dealer check your VIN for open campaigns and updates rather than relying on any article, including this one.

What Other P0011 Pages Get Wrong

• "P0011 means over-advanced." On Cadillac engines GM's P0011 covers both directions. There is no P0012 in any GM table we checked.
• Going straight to a phaser. GM's Cadillac fixes include an oil change, a screen cleaning, a service valve, a reflash and a park lock valve — all before a phaser.
• Treating all four cam codes as four failures. On 2016–2018 LGX/LGW engines GM traced that pattern to software.
• Swapping solenoids to "test." PIP5096C warns against it on LFX engines because the service valve is a different design.
• Ignoring the oil on a CT4 or CT5. PIP6047A has technicians look for metal in the oil before chasing cam parts.

Chevrolet owners can compare GM's Equinox-specific advice in our P0011 Chevy Equinox page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is P0011 serious on a Cadillac?

Often it is not urgent — GM notes several Cadillac versions with no drivability change. But it can come with stalling, reduced power, or on an Escalade a crank no start, and on some CT4/CT5 engines GM links it to internal wear. Diagnose it promptly rather than clearing it.

Will an oil change fix P0011?

Sometimes. The phaser is driven by oil, so low or degraded oil is a real cause and the first thing to correct. If the code returns, follow the bulletin for your engine.

My scanner says P0012. Is that the same?

On a Cadillac, treat it as a generic-tool readout and re-read with a GM-capable scanner. GM's Cadillac tables use P0011 for both directions.

Why did my XT5 set P0011, P0014, P0021 and P0024 at once?

GM traced that pattern on 2016–2018 LGX and LGW engines to a stop/start software anomaly (PIP5568E), and Service Update N192266190 reprogrammed the ECM on certain 2018 XT5s. A dealer can check whether yours is open.

Does P0011 mean my timing chain is stretched?

Not by itself. Chain stretch shows up as cam-to-crank correlation codes such as P0016 and P0017. P0011 is about the phaser reaching its commanded angle.

Where is bank 1 on a Cadillac XTS?

The XTS V6 is transverse, so bank 1 — GM's right side viewed from the flywheel end — is the rear bank toward the firewall.