P0020 on Mercedes-Benz
Camshaft Position 'A' Actuator Circuit (Bank 2)
P0020 on Mercedes-Benz vehicles indicates camshaft position 'a' actuator circuit (bank 2). Au7o has documented this code across 1 Mercedes-Benz model — most commonly on GLE. 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 Mercedes-Benz range from $700 to $2,500, 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 Mercedes-Benz by Model
Mercedes-Benz GLE(1 issue)
- M276 V6 Camshaft Adjuster (Magnet/Solenoid) Wear and Cold-Start Rattle2016-2018
The W166 GLE 350 and GLE 400 (2016-2018, M276 3.0L/3.5L V6) share the well-known M276 camshaft-adjuster problem. The variable-valve-timing camshaft adjusters and their magnets/solenoids wear, allowing the cams to fall out of time. Symptoms include a 2-3 second rattle on cold start, rough running, and check-engine codes such as P0010-style adjuster faults; owners report codes like P002177 with cams found advanced/out of time. Left unaddressed, a worn adjuster can cause poor timing control and driveability problems.
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View P0020 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0020 mean on Mercedes-Benz?▼
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 Mercedes-Benz specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P0020 on Mercedes-Benz vehicles?▼
Common causes on Mercedes-Benz: 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 Mercedes-Benz?▼
Repair costs on Mercedes-Benz range from $700 to $2,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Mercedes-Benz models have P0020 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0020 on 1 Mercedes-Benz model: GLE.