Timing and crank/cam sensorsGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Garage soon

P0016 on Mercedes-Benz: causes and affected engines

P0016 means: crankshaft position and camshaft position: correlation (bank 1, sensor A).^[1][2][3] Mercedes-Benz has 11 documented faults that can trigger it, across 9 engines, including OM651, M271, M272/M273 and OM654. Only a diagnosis can confirm the cause on your car.

Documented faults

that can trigger it

Engines

used by Mercedes-Benz, with at least one of them

Mercedes-Benz models

with at least one of these faults

Urgency

Garage soon

Reviewed on 5 October 20265 sources How we work

Documented faults in Mercedes-Benz engines that can trigger P0016

Grouped by engine or model, from most to least important. These are faults with the timing chain, with the timing belt and with the variable valve timing actuator: not all of them will necessarily set the code, and only a diagnosis confirms the cause on your car.

OM651

In CLA C117, Clase A W176, Clase B W246, Clase C W204, Clase C W205, Clase E W212 and 9 more models

- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner failureYes: the OM651 timing chain can stretch prematurely, above all on units built up to 2013, and in 2014-2015 Mercedes-Benz recalled around 114,000 vehicles in Germany over a defective sealing ring in the tensioner. A metallic rattle on a cold start is the first sign.Repair (garage): €2,000–€3,500Appears at around 120,000 km

M271

In Clase C W203, Clase C W204, Clase E W211, Clase E W212, CLK C209, SLK R171 and SLK R172

M272/M273

In Clase C W203, Clase E W211, Clase M W164, Clase R W251, Clase S W221, CLK C209 and 3 more models

- Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingWear of the balance shaft gear and the timing sprocketsEarly-series M272 and M273 engines (up to mid-2006, according to German sources) can wear the balance shaft gear (V6) or the chain's intermediate gears (V8), with a risk of the timing jumping and damaging the engine.
Its page cites code P0016.

OM654

In Clase C W205, Clase E W213, Clase V W447, CLS C257, GLC X253 and Vito W447

- Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain wear or breakage (2016 to 2021 units)Yes: Mercedes-Benz recalled OM654 units built between January 2016 and February 2021 because the timing chain can wear and even break, risking engine damage. The campaign has already been carried out at official workshops; you should check whether the vehicle received it.

OM642

In Clase E W211, Clase G W463, Clase M W164, Clase R W251, CLS C219, GL X164 and 2 more models

- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingRear timing chain wear and tensioner failureThe OM642's timing chain, at the rear next to the gearbox, usually lasts a long time: normal stretch begins at around 300,000-350,000 km. On older units (up to 2009) cases of premature tensioner failure have been documented, uncommon but serious if the chain skips.Repair (garage): €3,500–€5,000Appears at around 300,000 km

M270/M274

In CLA C117, Clase A W176, Clase B W246, Clase C W205, Clase E W212, Clase E W213 and 3 more models

1.2 TCe

In Citan W415

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming chain stretch and breakageThe 1.2 TCe chain has no scheduled replacement, but in engines that burn oil the low level makes the camshaft phaser vibrate and the chain stretches until it becomes noisy or breaks. The dealer network replaces the tensioner if compression is good; if not, the short block or the engine.

M111

In Clase C W202, Clase C W203, Clase E W210, CLK C208, SLK R170 and Sprinter T1N

- Medium severityFrequency: CommonTimingCamshaft adjuster oil leak into the wiringYes: the magnet (solenoid valve) of the M111 camshaft adjuster can lose its seal, and the oil creeps up by capillary action to the connector and the wiring loom. Mercedes-Benz has the same repair cable as for the M271 (part number A2711502733), which is cheap to fit.

1.3 TCe

In Citan W420, CLA C118, Clase A W177, Clase B W247, GLA H247 and GLB X247

- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming phaser faultA fault in the camshaft phaser can turn on the injection warning light and sometimes cause a loss of power in the 1.3 TCe/DIG-T. Renault-Nissan corrected it at the factory in February 2021; the repair involves checking the solenoid valves and, if necessary, replacing oil control valves.

Common causes of P0016 on any make

From most to least likely, according to the sources.

1Stretched timing chain or one that has jumped a tooth. Carista considers it very common on high-mileage engines with variable valve timing (VVT), especially petrol direct-injection ones. Mitchell1 reports the case of a 2014 Audi allroad 2.0 with this code and starting problems whose cause turned out to be a stretched chain.^[2][3][4]
2Worn or stuck camshaft phaser (VVT actuator), for example in the fully advanced or fully retarded position.^[2][4][5]
3Stuck VVT oil control solenoid valve, with its screen clogged by sludge, an electrical fault, or a restriction in its filter.^[1][2][4]
4Oil in poor condition: low level, dirty oil with sludge or the wrong viscosity, which prevent the phaser from receiving the pressure it needs.^[2][4]

What to check first

The first diagnostic steps, from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.

1Check the oil first, as it is the quickest thing to check: level, condition and viscosity. If it is low, top it up; if it has gone too long without being changed or is not the right viscosity, change it (with the filter), clear the code and see whether it comes back.^[2][4]
2Read the other codes: according to Rick's, a P0017, P0011 or P0014 alongside P0016 can indicate a bigger problem in the timing system.^[2]
3With the scan tool, watch the camshaft and crankshaft positions in live data while the engine cranks: an offset of more than a few degrees confirms a mechanical misalignment.^[4]

Full guide to P0016: symptoms, diagnosis and whether you can drive

Parts related to code P0016 on Mercedes-Benz cars

The parts that most often cause this code. The code points to the circuit, not always the part: diagnose before you buy.

Timing chain kit
- Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Timing kit
- Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
Camshaft adjuster
- Buy part at Autodoc (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Frequently asked questions

Which Mercedes-Benz engines have faults that can trigger P0016?

OM651 (1 fault), M271 (2 faults), M272/M273 (1 fault), OM654 (1 fault), OM642 (1 fault) and M270/M274 (2 faults). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

What does code P0016 mean on a Mercedes-Benz?

Crankshaft position and camshaft position: correlation (bank 1, sensor A). The ECU compares the crankshaft position (CKP sensor) with that of the bank 1 camshaft (CMP sensor) and detects that they are not where they should be: the two are out of sync. The "A" indicates the intake camshaft; "B" corresponds to the exhaust camshaft. It is a generic OBD-II code: it means the same on a Mercedes-Benz as on any other make.^[1][2][3][5]

Can I keep driving with P0016?

Garage soon. Autodoc Club considers it a fault that must be resolved immediately, because it can prevent starting and cause serious engine damage, and Carista gives it high severity, with stalling and failed starts in severe cases. Since the cause may be a timing chain or belt in poor condition, it is best not to drag out the diagnosis: Carista associates the code with a rattle from the timing cover on a cold start.^[1][4]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Código OBD2 P0016: causas, síntomas y cómo corregirloAutodoc Club · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish
P0016 Code: Causes, Diagnosis, and How to Fix It FastRick's Free Auto Repair Advice · Technical documentation · published 20 February 2025 · consulted 2 October 2026
SureTrack Real Fix: That's a StretchMitchell1 · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026
P0016: OBD-II code P0016 means the crankshaft and bank 1 camshaft position sensors are out of syncCarista · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026
DTC P0016 or P0017, Saab 9-5 (9650) 2010, motor de gasolina de 4 cilindrosSaab WIS Online (Saab Workshop Information System) · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026