P0016 on Cadillac vehicles The crankshaft and camshaft are not where they should be relative to each other — timing, chain or phaser

A model year is listed because the code is named in its own record — a bulletin filed against it, or an owner’s complaint about it — not because every one of these vehicles sets it. Counts are documents in NHTSA’s files, not failure rates.

Owners’ own words, scrubbed of anything identifying. Unverified reports filed with NHTSA — what was said, not a finding that it was true.

Bulletins and campaigns Cadillac filed with NHTSA whose summary names P0016. Quote the document number at the service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.

• PIP3423N Service bulletin
  2017-08-23 · Engine
• This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0008 or P0009 may be set. Technician will need to inspect for loose timing chains or tensioners. If after following Service Information diagnostics the root cause is not found inspect the reluctor for the crankshaft sensor. If the reluctor has moved then repl
• PIP3423P Service bulletin
  2018-08-09 · Engine
• This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0008 or P0009 may be set. Technician will need to inspect for loose timing chains or tensioners. If after following Service Information diagnostics the root cause is not found inspect the reluctor for the crankshaft sensor. If the reluctor has moved then repl
• PIP5730 Service bulletin
  2020-05-26 · Engine
• This Preliminary information communicates additional diagnostic information for DTC's P0016 and P0018.
• N252510321 Service campaign
  2025-08-14 · Unknown Or Other
• Certain vehicles will receive a software update to add to the existing Check Engine Light a Driver Information Center (DIC) warning message if DTC P0016 sets. Dealers will reprogram the Engine Control Module (ECM). Owners who have accepted applicable terms and conditions will have the opportunity to accept these software changes using wireless over-the-air (OTA) technology without having to bring
• N252510321-01 Service campaign
  2025-08-28 · Unknown Or Other
• Certain vehicles will receive a software update to add to the existing Check Engine Light a Driver Information Center (DIC) warning message if DTC P0016 sets. Dealers will reprogram the Engine Control Module (ECM). Owners who have accepted applicable terms and conditions will have the opportunity to accept these software changes using wireless over-the-air (OTA) technology without having to bring
• N252510321-02 Service campaign
  2025-09-05 · Unknown Or Other
• Certain vehicles will receive a software update to add to the existing Check Engine Light a Driver Information Center (DIC) warning message if DTC P0016 sets. Dealers will reprogram the Engine Control Module (ECM). Owners who have accepted applicable terms and conditions will have the opportunity to accept these software changes using wireless over-the-air (OTA) technology without having to bring
• 17-NA-272 Service bulletin
  2017-08-24 · Engine
• This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the engine for vehicles that have the condition of Loud Noise, Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illuminated, and/or No Start with DTC P0016, P0017, P0018, or P0019 Set, due to a broken engine crank sprocket.
• 17NA272 Service bulletin
  2019-04-02 · Electrical System
• This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the engine for vehicles that have the condition of Loud Noise, Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illuminated, and/or No Start with DTC P0016, P0017, P0018, or P0019 Set, due to a broken engine crank sprocket.
• N252510320 Service campaign
  2025-09-08 · Unknown Or Other
• Certain vehicles will receive a software update to add to the existing Check Engine Light a Driver Information Center (DIC) warning message if DTC P0016 sets. Dealers will reprogram the Engine Control Module (ECM). Owners who have accepted applicable terms and conditions will have the opportunity to accept these software changes using wireless over-the-air (OTA) technology without having to bring
• PIP5730A Service bulletin
  2020-12-29 · Equipment
• This Preliminary information communicates additional diagnostic information for DTC's P0016 and P0018.
• PIP5730A Service bulletin
  2020-12-29 · Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual
• This Preliminary information communicates additional diagnostic information for DTC's P0016 and P0018.
• PIP5730B Service bulletin
  2021-03-09 · Interior Lighting
• This Preliminary information communicates additional diagnostic information for DTC's P0016 and P0018.

A stored code names the test that failed, never the part that caused it. The record above is what Cadillac and its owners have filed about it; the code’s page across every make has the whole file.