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

P0011 on a GMC is "Intake Camshaft Position System Performance – Bank 1." The engine control module (ECM) commanded the intake cam to a position and the cam did not get there — or did not stay there — within GM's limits. It is the single most common cam timing code across the GMC line-up, from a 5.3L Sierra or Yukon to a 2.4L Terrain or a 3.6L Acadia, and GM has published more GMC bulletins on it than on any other cam code. The surprise is how different those bulletins are: depending on the engine, GM's answer ranges from checking oil pressure and the number 2 cam bearing, to cycling a sticking solenoid to start a no-start V8, to a broken spring inside a 2.7L turbo's valve bolt. And if your scanner says "P0012," read it again — GMC engines report an intake cam error in either direction as P0011.

What Does P0011 Mean on a GMC?

A cam phaser is a hydraulic device. Engine oil, steered by an oil-control solenoid the ECM pulses, rotates the camshaft relative to its sprocket. The cam position sensor reports where the cam actually is, and the ECM compares that with where it asked the cam to be.

GM's 2018 OBD summary tables describe the test plainly: the ECM takes the absolute value of desired minus actual cam position and compares it with a calibrated limit. In those tables it fails at 100 failures out of 125 samples and is a one-trip Type A code. The test only runs when the engine is running, the desired position is stable, power take-off is not active, and the circuit codes P0010, P2088 and P2089 are not set. GM's 2011 V8 truck tables ran a similar comparison as a two-trip code with 200 failures out of 1,000 samples.

Two things follow. First, P0011 is a performance code: the wiring can be perfect. Second, because the test uses the absolute difference, it does not care which direction the error is — an over-advanced and an over-retarded intake cam both set P0011.

Bank 1 on a pushrod V8 or the 4.3L is just part of the name — there is one camshaft. On a four-cylinder it is the whole engine. On the transverse 3.6L in the Acadia and Terrain, bank 1 is the rear bank; the front bank's intake cam reports as P0021.

Why GMCs Don't Show P0012

Generic code lists split intake cam errors into P0011 (advanced) and P0012 (retarded). GM's engines do not. We checked GM's OBD tables covering GMC's V8s and 4.3L (2011, 2019, 2024), the 2.4L, 1.5T, 2.0T, 2.5L and 3.6L engines (2008, 2017, 2018, 2019) and the Atlas inline engines (2004, 2006). None lists P0012. The only GM bulletin we found that uses P0012 covers Opel- and Daewoo-derived small engines in the Aveo, Cruze, G3 and Astra — no GMC.

So if a generic scanner reports P0012 on a Sierra, Yukon, Terrain or Acadia, treat it as P0011 and search GM bulletins under P0011. The 2004–2012 Canyon's Atlas four- and five-cylinders and the Envoy's 4.2L six are a different case again: they phase only the exhaust cam, so they use P0013/P0014 and cannot set P0011 at all.

P0011 on Sierra, Yukon and Savana V8s

A pushrod V8 has one camshaft and one phaser, so every cam timing fault on these trucks lands on P0011. GM has four GMC truck bulletins worth knowing:

• PIP5258A covers 2007–2015 Sierra, Sierra Hybrid, Yukon, Yukon Hybrid and Savana V8s — the 4.8L L20, 5.3L L83/LC9/LMF/LMG, 6.0L L76/L96/LY6 and 6.2L L9H/L86/L92 among them. When P0011 persists after GM's normal diagnostics, GM says to check oil pressure at the sender and check the number 2 cam bearing — "the location the oil is feed from to the actuator." A worn bearing there bleeds off the oil the phaser needs. The labor operation listed is camshaft replacement.
• PIP5130K covers 2014–2019 Sierra with the 4.3L LV3, 5.3L L83 and 6.2L L86, and 2014–2020 Yukon with the L83 and L86. The complaint is an intermittent crank-no-start with P0011 and/or P00C6. GM's explanation: the actuator solenoid valve may be sticking or binding, leaving valve timing retarded; cranking may sound fast, compression reads low, and fuel rail pressure can bleed from 300–400 psi down toward 50 psi. GM's first step is to use the scan tool to cycle the intake actuator solenoid four or five times and try starting again.
• PIP5115 covers 2010–2014 Yukon Denali with the 6.2L L94. P0011 setting after a camshaft replacement can mean the wrong camshaft was installed — GM tells technicians to compare the last four digits stamped on the cam with the part number on the box.
• PIP5724 covers the 2020 Sierra 1500 (L84, L87) and Yukon (L83, L86). It lists P0011 and P0010 among many codes caused by a harness pinched at the X154 connector bracket by the front cover.

P0011 on Terrain, Acadia and Canyon

Terrain 2.4L (LAF/LEA). GM's 17-NA-098 covers 2010–2012 Terrain with rough running, hesitation, hard starting or stalling and P0011 alongside P0010, P0013 or P0014; the fix is both solenoids (12655420 intake, 12655421 exhaust) and current ECM software. PI0562F covers a loud start-up rattle on 2011–2012 Terrain that stops within three seconds, sometimes with P0011: the actuator did not lock before shutdown. GM's fix replaces both actuators and solenoids and reflashes the ECM with a calibration that includes "diagnostic enhancements for DTC P0011." PIP4716F covers the same rattle on the 2010 Terrain — check the accessory belt first, then the actuators, and inspect the solenoid screens for debris.

Terrain 3.0L and 3.6L (LFW, LFX). GM's PIP5096C covers 2012–2015 Terrain with P0011, P0014, P0021 or P0024 and no drivability concern. Before replacing an actuator, check the engine EUN sticker: if there is an "A" before the sequence number, install a replacement service oil-control valve, which comes from a different supplier and "can make up the difference in the clearance." GM's instruction is explicit: do not just swap a valve from another location.

Acadia 3.6L, first generation (LY7, LLT). GM's 08-06-01-011K covers 2007–2010 Acadia with P0011, P0014, P0021 or P0024. On the Acadia the first step is an ECM reprogram; if the codes return, the technician measures camshaft end play, and at 0.40 mm (0.016 in) or more installs thrust washers or replaces the cylinder head.

Acadia 3.6L LGX and Canyon 3.6L LGZ, 2017–2021. GM's PIP5730B covers P0011 (with P0016, P0018 or P0021), usually with no drivability concern. The cause is not the main solenoid at all: it is the separate intake camshaft actuator park lock solenoid valve sticking or coming apart. GM notes normal diagnosis does not point there. Its related bulletin 23-NA-091 warns that the bank 1 intake actuator solenoid connector and the park lock solenoid connector are identical and can be swapped during engine repairs.

The 2.7L Turbo Story (Sierra 1500 and Canyon)

• 21-NA-146 (2019 Sierra 1500 L3B): P0011 and/or P0014 from a broken spring in a camshaft position actuator valve solenoid bolt. The technician removes the actuator magnets and compares plunger travel by finger. On trucks built before March 20, 2019, both bolts are replaced (part 12706091, quantity 2); later builds replace only the affected one.
• PIP5855 (2021–2022 Sierra 1500 L3B): any combination of P0011, P0014, P0016, P0017 from a failed actuator magnet. Check wiring and terminal tension first, then replace the magnet for the code that set.
• PIP5921B (2019–2023 Sierra 1500 L3B): possible no-start, upper engine noise, P0011 and P0016 from a loose intake cam actuator whose cover-plate screws can back out and damage the cam carrier. If the carrier is damaged, GM recommends engine and turbocharger replacement because of metal debris.

Related: GM's PIP6115 (2019–2026 Sierra 1500, 2023–2026 Canyon 2.7L) warns that after any repair that removes the cam actuators, intake and exhaust actuators can be installed on the wrong camshafts — they are marked "I" and "E."

Symptoms of P0011

• Check engine light, often with no other complaint (GM's PIP5096C and PIP5730B cases)
• Rough idle, hesitation, reduced low-speed power
• Start-up rattle lasting a few seconds (Terrain 2.4L)
• Intermittent crank-no-start on 2014–2020 Sierra and Yukon (PIP5130K)
• Upper engine ticking or scraping on a 2.7L turbo (PIP5921B)
• Companion codes P0014, P0016, P0021 or P00C6

Causes and How to Confirm Each

How Is P0011 Diagnosed?

1. Check the oil first. Level, condition and the correct dexos grade for your engine.
2. Read all codes with GM descriptors. A generic "P0012" is P0011 on a GMC; P0010 must be fixed first.
3. Run a VIN check for open recalls and applicable bulletins.
4. Watch desired vs actual intake cam angle on a scan tool while commanding the actuator.
5. Inspect the solenoid and its screen for sticking or debris.
6. Follow the engine-specific bulletin: oil pressure and cam bearing (V8), EUN sticker (3.0/3.6 Terrain), end play (first-generation Acadia), park lock solenoids (2017-on Acadia and Canyon V6), valve bolts and magnets (2.7L turbo).
7. Condemn the phaser last.
8. Clear codes and road test through cold start, idle and cruise.

Parts and Cost

GM Documents Relevant to P0011 on a GMC

Have a dealer check your VIN against current bulletins and campaigns rather than relying on any article, including this one.

What Other P0011 Pages Get Wrong

• "P0011 means over-advanced; P0012 means retarded." Not on a GMC. GM uses P0011 for both directions.
• "It's always the solenoid." On a V8 Sierra GM points at oil pressure and the number 2 cam bearing; on a 2017-on Acadia V6 it points at a different solenoid entirely.
• "A no-start can't be a cam code." GM's PIP5130K ties intermittent crank-no-start on Sierra and Yukon to a sticking actuator solenoid and P0011.
• "Swap valves between banks to test." GM's 3.0/3.6L Terrain guidance says not to swap from another location; the park lock solenoid PI for the newer V6 is the exception.
• Skipping the oil. Every one of these systems is oil-driven.

For the same code on the Chevrolet twin of the Terrain, see the Chevy Equinox P0011 guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep driving my GMC with P0011?

Short term, often yes, but check the oil now. If the truck is hard to start, rattles, or loses power, have it diagnosed before a phaser or cam bearing problem gets worse.

My scanner says P0012 on my Yukon. Is that different?

GM's tables for GMC engines don't list P0012. Read the codes with a GM-capable scanner — it will almost certainly show P0011.

Why won't my Sierra start, and why is P0011 stored?

GM's PIP5130K describes exactly that on 2014–2019 Sierras and 2014–2020 Yukons: a sticking actuator solenoid leaves timing retarded. A technician can cycle the solenoid with a scan tool as GM's first step.

Will an oil change fix P0011?

Sometimes, if the oil was low, sludged or the wrong grade. It is the cheapest test, and GM's Terrain 2.4L PIP even recommends repeated oil changes when solenoid debris is found.

My Acadia has P0011 but runs fine. Should I worry?

GM's PIP5730B (2017–2021 Acadia 3.6L) describes P0011 with no drivability concern caused by a park lock solenoid valve. It still needs repair, but it is often not the phaser.

Does the 2.7L turbo Sierra have a known P0011 problem?

GM has three: a broken valve-bolt spring (21-NA-146, 2019), failed actuator magnets (PIP5855, 2021–2022) and loose intake actuator screws (PIP5921B, 2019–2023).

Can a 2006 Canyon set P0011?

No. Its Atlas engines phase only the exhaust cam and report cam actuator faults as P0013 and P0014.