P0014 Code on a GMC: Exhaust Camshaft Position System Performance, Bank 1 (GMC Guide)

P0014 is usually listed as "Exhaust Camshaft Timing Over-Advanced, Bank 1," but GM calls it "Exhaust Camshaft Position System Performance – Bank 1" — and on a GMC it covers an exhaust cam that is too far advanced or too far retarded. The ECM commanded the exhaust cam somewhere and the cam did not follow. It matters on a GMC because the fix depends heavily on the engine: on a 2018–2022 Terrain 1.5L turbo, GM ties P0014 and a crank-no-start to an exhaust cam reluctor that has slipped out of phase and broken vacuum-pump drive lugs; on a 2019 Sierra 1500 2.7L turbo, to a broken spring inside a valve bolt; on an Envoy 4.2L, P0014 is the engine's only cam timing performance code. And on a pushrod V8 Sierra or Yukon, it should not appear at all.

What Does P0014 Mean on a GMC?

An exhaust cam phaser uses engine oil, steered by a solenoid, to rotate the exhaust camshaft. The cam sensor reports where the cam actually is. P0014 sets when the gap between where the ECM asked the cam to be and where it is stays too large.

GM's 2018 OBD summary tables state the test as the absolute value of desired minus actual exhaust cam position compared with a calibrated limit, failing at 100 out of 125 samples as a one-trip Type A code. It runs only when the desired position is stable, power take-off is not active, and P0013, P2090 and P2091 — the exhaust solenoid circuit codes — are not set. GM's 2011 tables for the Canyon's Atlas engines ran it as a two-trip Type B code (100 failures out of 150) that also waits for the cam and crank sensor codes and the P0016–P0019 correlation codes to be clear.

Because GM uses the absolute difference, direction does not matter. We found no GM table for a GMC engine that lists P0015, the generic "exhaust retarded" code. On a GMC, P0014 covers both.

Bank 1 is the whole engine on a four-cylinder or inline engine. On the transverse 3.6L V6 it is the rear bank; the front bank's exhaust cam reports as P0024.

Which GMCs Can Set P0014

• Terrain — 2.4L LAF/LEA, 3.0L, 3.6L LFX, 1.5L turbo LYX and 2.0L turbo LTG.
• Acadia — 3.6L LY7, LLT and LGX, 2.5L LCV, 2.0L turbo LTG and 2.5L turbo LK0.
• Canyon — 2.5L LCV, 3.6L LGZ and 2.7L turbo L3B, plus the 2004–2012 Atlas 2.8L, 2.9L, 3.5L and 3.7L.
• Sierra 1500 — 2.7L turbo L3B only.
• Envoy and Envoy XL — 4.2L LL8 inline six.

What cannot set it: the pushrod V8s and 4.3L V6 in the Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL and Savana. They have one camshaft and, where phased, a single actuator that GM reports as P0011. The Envoy XL's 5.3L V8 has no cam phasing in GM's tables.

The Terrain 1.5L Reluctor Problem

GM's 21-NA-268 (first released November 2021, revised in 2023 and again in June 2024) covers the 2018–2022 Terrain with the 1.5L LYX, alongside the Equinox and several 1.4L and 1.5L Chevrolet and Buick models. The complaints are crank-no-start, extended crank, a check engine light and — added in the 2024 revision — possible increased brake pedal effort. Codes: P0014, P0017, P0365 and/or P0366.

GM's cause is an exhaust camshaft reluctor out of phase. After the normal no-start diagnostics, the technician removes the cam cover, rotates the exhaust camshaft until the 2D matrix marking on its hex is at 12 o'clock, and checks that a small tang on the reluctor ring lines up with that marking. GM also says to inspect the vacuum pump drive lugs during disassembly — the pump's drive engages the exhaust camshaft, and damage there is the most plausible reason GM added brake pedal effort to the symptom list. If the lugs are broken or the reluctor has moved, the repair is a new exhaust camshaft and vacuum pump, plus finding and removing the broken lug pieces and metal debris. GM's earlier PIP5598D (2018–2021 Terrain) described the same check.

That is a very different outcome from the solenoid or oil change most P0014 advice expects. On a Terrain 1.5L with P0014 plus P0017 or a P0365/P0366 cam sensor code — especially with a hard-start complaint — the reluctor check belongs early in the diagnosis.

P0014 on the 2.7L Turbo Sierra

GM's 21-NA-146 covers the 2019 Sierra 1500 with the 2.7L L3B and P0011 and/or P0014. The cause is a broken spring in one of the camshaft position actuator valve solenoid bolts. With the actuator magnets removed, the technician compares the travel and feel of each bolt's plunger by finger; a broken spring shows reduced travel, a plunger that does not fully return, or weak spring tension. On trucks built before March 20, 2019, GM replaces both bolts (part 12706091, quantity 2); on later builds, only the affected bolt.

GM's PIP5855 covers 2021–2022 Sierra 1500 2.7L trucks with any combination of P0011, P0014, P0016 and P0017 caused by a failed camshaft position actuator magnet. GM's sequence: check wiring, terminal tension, crimps and locks first; if those are good, replace the magnet for the code that set. And after any repair that removes the actuators, GM's PIP6115 warns the intake and exhaust actuators can be installed on the wrong camshafts — they are marked "I" and "E."

P0014 on Acadia and Terrain V6s

2007–2010 Acadia 3.6L. GM's 08-06-01-011K covers P0011, P0014, P0021 or P0024. The first step on an Acadia is an ECM reprogram; if the codes return, the technician measures camshaft end play in the suspect head. At 0.40 mm (0.016 in) or more, thrust washers are installed or the head is replaced, depending on the gap between the actuators and the front cam cap.

2012–2015 Terrain 3.0L and 3.6L. GM's PIP5096C covers P0011, P0014, P0021 or P0024 with no drivability concern. If the engine EUN sticker shows an "A" before the sequence number, GM says to install a replacement service oil-control valve — from a different supplier, built to make up a clearance difference — and not to swap a valve from another location.

2010–2012 Terrain 2.4L. GM's 17-NA-098 lists P0014 with P0010, P0011 and P0013 and replaces both solenoids. PIP4716F (2010 Terrain) ties a short, sharp start-up rattle with P0011, P0014, P0016 or P0017 to actuators not parking, and says to inspect the solenoid screens for debris and change the oil, sometimes more than once.

P0014 on the Envoy and Early Canyon

The Atlas engines phase only the exhaust camshaft, so P0014 is their only cam timing performance code. GM's 2004 table for the Envoy's 4.2L sets it when actual and desired positions differ by more than 3.5 degrees after a stabilization time of 2–6 seconds based on modeled oil temperature, above 1,200 rpm, at 90 of 100 counts. The 2004 table for the Canyon's 2.8L and 3.5L uses 3.75 degrees, a 3-second stabilization time and engine speed above 1,350 rpm, at 135 of 150 counts.

GM's PIP4945B, written for P0017 on these engines, lists the cam-side faults GM sees: a restricted actuator solenoid or missing screens, a sticking actuator, and low oil pressure or contaminated oil. Those same conditions are the classic P0014 causes on an Envoy or Atlas Canyon.

Symptoms of P0014

• Check engine light, often with no other complaint (PIP5096C)
• Rough idle or hesitation
• Crank-no-start or extended crank on a 2018–2022 Terrain 1.5L (21-NA-268)
• Harder brake pedal on the same Terrain if the vacuum pump drive has failed
• Start-up rattle on a 2010 Terrain 2.4L (PIP4716F)
• Companion codes P0011, P0017, P0024, P0365 or P0366

Causes and How to Confirm Each

How Is P0014 Diagnosed?

1. Confirm the engine can set it. Not on a pushrod V8 or 4.3L truck.
2. Check the oil level, condition and grade.
3. Read every code with GM descriptors. Fix P0013 first. P0014 with P0017 and P0365/P0366 on a Terrain 1.5L points toward 21-NA-268.
4. Run a VIN check for bulletins and campaigns.
5. Watch desired vs actual exhaust cam angle while commanding the actuator.
6. Inspect the solenoid and its screen.
7. Apply the engine-specific bulletin — reluctor and vacuum pump lugs (Terrain 1.5L), valve bolts and magnets (2.7L), end play (Acadia), EUN sticker (Terrain V6).
8. Condemn the phaser last, then clear codes and road test.

Parts and Cost

GM Documents Relevant to P0014 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 P0014 Pages Get Wrong

• "P0014 means over-advanced only." GM's test uses the absolute error; P0014 covers both directions on a GMC.
• "Check the exhaust cam on your Sierra V8." A pushrod V8 has no separate exhaust actuator.
• "A no-start isn't a P0014 problem." On a 2018–2022 Terrain 1.5L, GM's 21-NA-268 pairs them directly.
• "Just replace the solenoid." On a Terrain 1.5L it may be a camshaft and vacuum pump; on an Acadia, cam end play.
• Ignoring a firm brake pedal. GM added increased brake pedal effort to the Terrain 1.5L bulletin in 2024, alongside the vacuum pump drive inspection.

For the same code on the Equinox twin of the Terrain, see our Chevy Equinox P0014 guide, and the brand-neutral GM P0014 guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is P0014 serious on a GMC Terrain?

On a 1.5L Terrain with a hard-start complaint it can be. GM's 21-NA-268 links P0014 to a reluctor out of phase and possible vacuum pump drive damage, which can also affect brake assist. Have it checked promptly.

Can my 6.2L Yukon set P0014?

Not under GM's code set. The pushrod V8's single actuator is reported as P0011.

Will an oil change clear P0014?

If oil level, condition or grade was the cause, it may stop the code returning. It will not fix a reluctor, a valve bolt or cam end play.

Why does my Sierra 2.7L have P0014 and P0011 together?

GM's 21-NA-146 (2019) and PIP5855 (2021–2022) both list that pair — a broken valve-bolt spring or a failed actuator magnet.

Does GMC use P0015?

We found no GM table for a GMC engine that lists P0015. GM reports exhaust cam errors in either direction as P0014.

Can a 2005 Envoy set P0014?

Yes — it is the 4.2L's exhaust cam phaser performance code, set at more than 3.5 degrees of error in GM's 2004 table.

Is P0014 covered by warranty?

It depends on age, mileage and coverage. GM's bulletins note powertrain coverage where it applies; a dealer VIN check is free.