Crank/cam correlation Bank 1 on Toyota — 1.2T 8NR-FTS chain stretch and 2.0 8AR-FTS VVT-iE actuator.
Toyota P0016 — Crank/cam correlation Bank 1 on Toyota — 1.2T 8NR-FTS chain stretch and 2.0 8AR-FTS VVT-iE actuator. Typical UK independent garage cost: £180–£1800.
What actually causes P0016 on a Toyota
Toyota 1.2T P0016 from ~80k is the timing chain wearing — quieter than VAG equivalents but the symptom is the same. VVT-i hybrid P0016 normally points to the VVT actuator/oil-control valve.
Toyota engines that log P0016
- 1.2T 8NR-FTS (Auris/C-HR)
- 2.0 8AR-FTS (Lexus NX)
- 1.8 2ZR-FXE hybrid
How we diagnose P0016 on a Toyota
- Cold-start rattle check
- Live cam deviation
- OCV resistance test
- Chain inspection via cam cover
The common misdiagnosis to avoid
Cheap aftermarket OCVs on Toyota fail within months — Denso OE only.
Toyota P0016 repair cost in the UK
Expect £180–£1800 including parts and labour at an independent garage. Main-dealer quotes on Toyota are usually higher for the same job, and the spread exists because the cheap cause and the expensive cause throw the same code — pay for the diagnosis before you pay for parts.
Bob's workshop tip
Toyota 1.2T P0016 — chain kit if stretch confirmed. Quality parts only.
Codes usually seen alongside P0016 on Toyota
- P0017
- P0341
Symptoms drivers report with P0016
- Loud metallic rattle for the first 2–4 seconds of a cold start — the classic 'death rattle'
- Long cranking before the engine catches, especially after standing overnight
- Rough lumpy idle at traffic lights, occasionally stalls
- Stop/Start stops working (ECU disables it once cam correlation drifts)
- Turbo feels lazy or flat below 2,000 RPM — timing is retarded to protect the valvetrain
- MPG drops 4–8 mpg with no other obvious cause
- Code P0011, P0014, P0017 or P0341 stored alongside P0016
Repairs that clear P0016
- Measure cam-to-crank deviation with manufacturer-aware scan tool
- Plan full timing chain kit if stretched
- Replace cam phaser if mechanically faulty
For the generic, all-makes explanation of this code — meaning, every known cause and UK cost bands — see our P0016 guide.