P0024 on 2020-2024 Kia Telluride 3.8L V6: Exhaust Cam Timing Over-Advanced Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride's Lambda II 3.8L V6 is a modern Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine that runs on the Atkinson cycle for improved efficiency. It is shared with the Hyundai Palisade. This engine family is known to be particularly sensitive to engine oil level, quality, and the type of oil filter used. Because the CVVT system is hydraulically operated by engine oil, any issue that affects oil pressure or flow—like sludge from delayed oil changes, low levels, or a clogged filter—is a primary trigger for timing-related codes like P0024.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check Engine Light is on
• Rough or uneven idle
• Reduced engine power and sluggish acceleration
• Engine hesitation or stalling
• Decreased fuel economy
• Rattling or knocking noises from the engine

Most Likely Causes

1. Low or Dirty Engine Oil 🔴 High Probability The Lambda II GDI engine's CVVT system is hydraulic and highly dependent on clean oil at the proper level. GDI engines can be harder on oil, and this platform has numerous owner complaints of excessive oil consumption, making this a common first point of failure.
   How to confirm: Check the engine oil dipstick. The level should be at the full mark and the oil should not appear excessively dark, thick, or sludgy.
   Typical fix: Perform an engine oil and filter change using the manufacturer-specified oil viscosity (full synthetic 5W-30) and an OEM-quality filter. This is the cheapest and most recommended first step.
   Est. part cost: $40-$80
2. Faulty Exhaust Oil Control Valve (OCV) / VVT Solenoid 🟡 Medium Probability The OCV can become clogged with sludge or fail electrically, preventing it from correctly regulating oil flow to the cam phaser. This is a common failure point on many modern engines with VVT and is the most likely component failure for P0024.
   How to confirm: A reliable diagnostic method is to swap the Bank 2 (front) exhaust OCV with the identical Bank 1 (rear) exhaust OCV. Clear the codes and drive. If the code changes to P0014 (the Bank 1 equivalent), the OCV is confirmed faulty. You can also test its resistance with a multimeter, which should be between 6.9 and 7.9 ohms at 68°F (20°C).
   Typical fix: Replace the Bank 2 exhaust Oil Control Valve. It is located on the valve cover for the front cylinder bank.
   Est. part cost: $50-$180
3. Faulty Camshaft Phaser (CVVT Assembly) ⚪ Low Probability The phaser itself can get stuck in the advanced position due to internal debris, wear, or a failure of its locking pin.
   How to confirm: This is typically diagnosed after ruling out oil issues and a faulty OCV. Diagnosis requires a more in-depth mechanical inspection, often involving removal of the valve cover and potentially testing the phaser with compressed air.
   Typical fix: Replace the Bank 2 exhaust camshaft phaser. This is a labor-intensive job that often involves removing the timing chain.
   Est. part cost: $200-$400

Rare But Worth Checking

• Stretched Timing Chain or Failed Tensioner: While less common on newer vehicles, a stretched timing chain or a failing hydraulic tensioner can cause the camshaft timing to be physically off, triggering the code. This is usually accompanied by rattling noises, especially on startup.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Check engine oil level and condition. If low, dirty, or overdue for a change, perform an oil and filter change first. Use an OEM filter and the correct oil viscosity. Clear the code and see if it returns.
2. Scan for other trouble codes. If codes like P0023 are present, diagnose the electrical circuit fault first.
3. Inspect the wiring and connector for the Bank 2 (front bank) exhaust Oil Control Valve for any signs of damage, corrosion, or loose connections.
4. For a definitive test, swap the Bank 2 exhaust OCV with the Bank 1 (rear bank) exhaust OCV. They are identical parts.
5. Clear the codes and drive the vehicle. If the code returns as P0014, the OCV you moved from Bank 2 is faulty and must be replaced.
6. If the P0024 code returns after the swap, the problem is not the OCV. The issue is likely a clogged oil passage, a faulty camshaft phaser, or a timing chain problem, which may require professional diagnosis.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Engine Oil Control Valve (VVT Solenoid), Exhaust (OEM #24360-3CAB2) — This solenoid is the most common component to fail or become clogged, directly causing the P0024 code by improperly controlling oil flow to the cam phaser.
  Trusted brands: Hyundai / Kia (OEM), Dorman, Standard Motor Products (SMP), Hitachi
  OEM price range: $140-$200
  Aftermarket price range: $50-$100

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0014 — This is the same over-advanced timing code but for Bank 1 (rear bank). It would typically appear if a technician swaps the OCVs between banks for diagnosis and the fault moves with the part. If both P0014 and P0024 appear together from the start, it could indicate a more serious systemic issue like severe oil sludging or low oil pressure.
• P0023 — This is an electrical circuit code for the same Bank 2 exhaust OCV. If you see P0023 and P0024 together, it points directly to an electrical failure in the OCV or its wiring, which is causing the mechanical timing fault.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• SC296 - Safety Recall Campaign: Engine Sub-Assembly Replacement for certain 2024MY Tellurides due to potentially faulty valve springs.
• TSB TRA099: Addresses vibration at highway speeds on 2020-2021 AWD models, which could be related to the propeller shaft or AWD coupler.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• Recall SC296 (March 2024): Affects certain 2024 Tellurides for engine valve springs that may break, potentially causing engine damage and a check engine light. While not directly for P0024, it highlights a known engine issue for this model year.
• Recall SC303 (May 2024): Affects 2020-2024 Tellurides for a software update related to the electronic parking brake and potential driveshaft issues, not directly related to this engine code.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Oil Control Valve (OCV) / VVT Solenoid Resistance — expected: 6.9 - 7.9 Ohms at 68°F (20°C). Failure: A reading of zero (short), infinity/OL (open), or significantly outside the specified range indicates a faulty solenoid coil.
• Scan Tool Live Data: Commanded vs. Actual Camshaft Position — expected: The 'Actual' position value should track the 'Commanded' position value within 1-2 degrees at idle and under varying load.. Failure: A significant, persistent deviation between the actual and commanded values indicates a mechanical or hydraulic fault in the CVVT system.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• Kia GDS / KDS (or equivalent professional scanner): Actuation Test for Oil Control Valve — This bidirectional command is used to manually activate the Bank 2 exhaust OCV. A technician can command it on and off while listening for an audible click from the solenoid, confirming the ECM can control it and that the solenoid's plunger is not seized.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Bank 2 OCV Connector — On the front valve cover (radiator side), connected to the exhaust Oil Control Valve.. This connector and its wiring are a potential point of failure. It should be inspected for oil contamination (from a leaking OCV seal), corrosion, or physical damage that could cause an open or short circuit, leading to P0023 and P0024.
• Main Engine Grounds — Key grounding points for the engine management system are typically located on the cylinder head, engine block, and intake manifold.. A poor engine ground can cause erratic behavior in sensors and actuators, including the OCV. While not a common cause for a single-cam code, it's a foundational check for any electrical issue.
• OCV Harness — A short wiring harness (Part #213363LAA0) connects the main engine harness to the OCV.. This harness can be damaged by heat or abrasion and is a replaceable service part if the connector or wiring is found to be faulty.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• Reddit user comment in r/kia (2015 Kia Sorento (with similar Lambda V6 engine)) — Sluggish acceleration.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) The user was considering replacing the camshaft position sensor.
  ✅ What actually fixed it A knowledgeable commenter strongly advised that the most probable cause was the VVT solenoid (Oil Control Valve) and that replacing the sensor would be incorrect. The final fix was not posted by the original author, but the expert advice pointed directly to the OCV as the primary component to replace, not the sensor.
• NHTSA ODI #11289069 (Kia Sorento) — An owner reported that after a mechanic read codes P0014 and P0024, they were initially told to check wires and sensors, but it was eventually determined that the engine needed to be replaced.
• NHTSA ODI #11575366 (Kia Sedona) — A driver reported that the vehicle threw codes P0024 and P0019 along with misfire codes; it was discovered the engine was missing 5 quarts of oil with no warning light, leading to timing issues.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 24360-3CAB2 → N/A — No supersession history found. This part number appears to be stable and used across multiple Kia/Hyundai models with 3.3L and 3.8L V6 engines from 2014-2025.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2020-2024: No significant mechanical changes were made to the 3.8L V6 engine or its CVVT system within this model year range, including the 2023 facelift. The diagnosis and repair procedures for code P0024 are consistent for all 2020-2024 Tellurides.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Other Known Issues on This Vehicle

Issues unrelated to this code that are worth knowing about as an owner of this generation:

• Spontaneous Windshield Cracking 🟠 Medium — Widespread enough to trigger multiple class-action lawsuits and a 'goodwill' replacement program from Kia for early models. Can occur at any mileage, sometimes spontaneously or from minor impacts. (Ref: Kia issued a 'Customer Satisfaction Initiative' letter offering goodwill replacements for some 2020 models, but no formal recall.)
• Headlight Assembly Moisture Intrusion 🟠 Medium — Common complaint across 2020+ model years, leading to dimming lights, condensation inside the lens, and eventual failure. A class-action lawsuit has been filed regarding this issue. (Ref: Recall for 2020 models with halogen high beams failing due to heat (NHTSA 24V-148). TSB ELE242 addresses checking connections for inoperative LED lights on 2020-2021 models.)
• Excessive Oil Consumption 🟠 Medium — Numerous owner complaints of engines consuming oil between changes, sometimes as much as 1 quart per 1,000 miles. Can appear as early as 60,000 miles.
• AWD Vibration at Highway Speeds 🟡 Low — Some owners of 2020-2021 AWD models report vibrations at highway speeds, which could be related to the propeller shaft or AWD coupler. (Ref: TSB TRA099 addresses inspection and repair for this specific issue on vehicles produced through February 28, 2021.)

Used vs. New Parts: Buying Guide for This Vehicle

When a used part is the smart pick: For the Oil Control Valve (OCV), a used OEM part from a verified low-mileage (under 60k miles) donor vehicle can be a viable, budget-friendly option. It is an externally mounted, easily replaceable part, minimizing labor risk if the used part is faulty.

Donor-vehicle mileage cap: roughly under 60000 miles for the part to have meaningful remaining life.

What to inspect on the donor part:

• Inspect the fine mesh screens on the solenoid; they should be perfectly clean, free of debris, and have no tears.
• Check the electrical connector pins for any signs of corrosion or damage.
• If possible, ask for the VIN of the donor car to verify it wasn't from a vehicle with a seized or sludged engine.

OEM-only on this vehicle (don't cheap out):

• Camshaft Phaser (CVVT Assembly): This is a critical, internal timing component that requires significant labor to replace. Using an aftermarket phaser is risky, as poor quality or incorrect calibration can lead to immediate or premature failure, requiring the entire job to be redone. Stick with genuine Kia/Hyundai parts.

Aftermarket brands forum-validated for this vehicle:

• Hitachi: Believed to be an OEM supplier for many Japanese and Korean vehicles; a high-quality option.
• Standard Motor Products (SMP) / WVE / NTK: Generally considered reliable aftermarket brands for sensors and solenoids.

Brands owners have reported issues with on this vehicle:

• Generic/Unbranded (Amazon/eBay): Forum and video evidence suggests these parts have a high failure rate, with incorrect resistance values out of the box or failure soon after installation.
• Dorman: While a major aftermarket supplier, their VVT components have received mixed reviews. Some comparisons show inferior materials and construction versus OEM, so purchase with caution.

Real Owner Stories

Aggregated from forums and TSBs cited above. Mileages and costs reflect what owners reported in those sources.

Related OBD-II Codes

• P0014 — The Bank 1 (rear bank) equivalent to P0024; it often appears if a faulty OCV is swapped from Bank 2 to Bank 1 during diagnosis.
• P0023 — Relates to the exhaust camshaft position actuator circuit for Bank 2; the context recommends diagnosing this electrical circuit fault before addressing P0024.
• P0011 — Intake camshaft timing over-advanced (Bank 1); shares the same root causes of low oil pressure or dirty oil within the Lambda II CVVT system.
• P0021 — Intake camshaft timing over-advanced (Bank 2); shares the same hydraulic system and oil quality dependencies as P0024.

Frequently Asked Questions