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P0010: Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)

ModeratePowertrainDIY: Moderate

Can you still drive? Yes, but reduced performance and fuel economy can be expected. Change the engine oil first as dirty oil is a common cause.

What Does P0010 Mean?

Code P0010 indicates an electrical problem with the intake camshaft position actuator solenoid on bank 1. This solenoid controls the oil control valve that adjusts variable valve timing. The code is set when the ECM detects an open or short circuit in the solenoid wiring or the solenoid itself has failed.

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Common Causes

  • Faulty VVT solenoid
  • Wiring issue to the solenoid
  • Low or dirty engine oil
  • Clogged oil control valve
  • Corroded electrical connector

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Rough idle
  • Reduced fuel economy
  • Decreased engine performance
  • Engine noise at startup

Diagnostic Steps

  1. 1Check engine oil level and condition
  2. 2Measure solenoid resistance with multimeter
  3. 3Inspect wiring and connector for damage
  4. 4Command solenoid operation with scan tool
  5. 5Check oil pressure at the VVT actuator
  6. 6Inspect solenoid screen for debris

Recommended Parts & Tools

Estimated Repair Cost

TypeEstimated Cost
Total Repair Cost Range$50 - $600

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Commonly Affected Vehicles

Chevrolet EquinoxGMC TerrainBuick EnclaveSaturn OutlookChevrolet Malibu

Related Recalls

1 Active Recall 2026 Chevrolet Equinox

The following NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for this vehicle. Contact your dealer to check if your vehicle is affected.

Campaign #26V11400026/02/2026

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”

Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 26, 2026.

Data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dirty oil cause P0010?

Yes, dirty or sludgy engine oil can clog the VVT solenoid screen and prevent proper operation. An oil change may resolve the code.

What is variable valve timing?

Variable valve timing (VVT) adjusts when the intake and exhaust valves open and close relative to engine speed, improving power, fuel efficiency, and emissions.

Community Fix Reports

Community reports are user-submitted and not verified by Auto AI Buddy. Results may vary.

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