P0020 on Ford
Camshaft Position 'A' Actuator Circuit (Bank 2)
P0020 on Ford vehicles indicates camshaft position 'a' actuator circuit (bank 2). Au7o has documented this code across 1 Ford model — most commonly on Transit. P0020 is a generic powertrain code indicating a fault in the camshaft position (intake/'A') actuator circuit on bank 2 — the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder number one. The engine computer controls a variable valve timing (VVT) solenoid to advance or retard camshaft timing for efficiency and power; this code sets when it detects an electrical problem in that solenoid's control circuit. The result can be reduced performance, rough running, or poor fuel economy. It is usually not an immediate breakdown risk but should be diagnosed to prevent driveability and timing issues. Typical repair costs on Ford range from $1,500 to $4,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0020
- •Faulty bank 2 camshaft (VVT/oil control) solenoid
- •Wiring or connector damage to the VVT solenoid
- •Low or dirty engine oil restricting VVT operation
- •Clogged VVT solenoid screen/oil passage
- •Open or short in the actuator control circuit
- •Failed PCM/ECM (rare)
P0020 on Ford by Model
Ford Transit(1 issue)
- 3.5L EcoBoost First-Gen Timing Chain Stretch and Rattle2015-2018
The first-generation 3.5L EcoBoost (2011-2016) used in the 2015-2017 Ford Transit 350/350 HD with the twin-turbocharged V6 is known for premature timing chain stretch. The single-chain-per-bank design (two chains total) stretches as the links wear individually, causing the chain to effectively grow longer. A stretched chain causes VCT timing correlation codes, cold-start rattling, rough idle, and eventual jumped timing. Ford revised the 3.5L EcoBoost design in 2017 to use dual chains per bank (four total), which substantially resolved the stretch issue. Transit vans used for commercial/fleet service with high-idle hours accumulate chain wear faster than typical passenger vehicles. The F150 EcoBoost Forum documents thousands of cases of this specific 3.5L chain issue and contains multiple long-running troubleshooting threads.
Looking for P0020 on a different make?
View P0020 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0020 mean on Ford?▼
P0020 stands for "Camshaft Position 'A' Actuator Circuit (Bank 2)." P0020 is a generic powertrain code indicating a fault in the camshaft position (intake/'A') actuator circuit on bank 2 — the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder number one. The engine computer controls a variable valve timing (VVT) solenoid to advance or retard camshaft timing for efficiency and power; this code sets when it detects an electrical problem in that solenoid's control circuit. The result can be reduced performance, rough running, or poor fuel economy. It is usually not an immediate breakdown risk but should be diagnosed to prevent driveability and timing issues. On Ford specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P0020 on Ford vehicles?▼
Common causes on Ford: Faulty bank 2 camshaft (VVT/oil control) solenoid, Wiring or connector damage to the VVT solenoid, Low or dirty engine oil restricting VVT operation, Clogged VVT solenoid screen/oil passage, Open or short in the actuator control circuit. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0020 on a Ford?▼
Repair costs on Ford range from $1,500 to $4,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Ford models have P0020 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0020 on 1 Ford model: Transit.