Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement Cost (2026)

📈 Average 2026 US Cost

$130 - $500

Most owners pay $180-$320 for parts and labor.

📈 What Affects The Price

Number of cam sensors: 4-cyl typically has 1. V6 has 2. DOHC engines may have 4 (intake and exhaust per bank).
Sensor location: Front-mounted: easy. Behind the head: harder. On the rear bank: tightest.
Engine type: VVT engines have additional cam sensors that can fail.
OEM vs aftermarket: Cheap sensors are notorious for re-triggering codes.
Variable valve timing solenoid: P0340-P0342 codes can also point to a bad VVT solenoid - $80-$300.
Wiring condition: Brittle wiring is a common no-start cause - inspect before replacing.

💵 Cost Breakdown: Parts vs Labor

🛠️ Parts

$50 - $300

Aftermarket: $20-$60. OEM Bosch, Denso, Hitachi: $60-$300. Stick with OEM-grade.

👨‍🔧 Labor

$80 - $200

Most cam sensors are 1-2 bolts and a connector. Some on V6 rear banks need intake removal.

🚗 Cost By Vehicle Class

Vehicle Class	Typical Range	Notes
Compact / sedan 4-cyl	$130 - $300	Easy access, single sensor
V6 front bank	$160 - $350	Standard access
V6 rear bank	$250 - $500	May need intake removal
Truck V8	$180 - $380	Easy access
Luxury / European	$250 - $600	Multiple sensors, OEM only

⚖️ DIY vs Shop

🔧 DIY

+Saves $80-$200 in labor
+Usually 1-2 bolts
+15-30 minutes in most locations
-Wrong sensor = repeat codes
-Tight V6 rear bank access

🏭 Shop

+Confirms cam vs VVT solenoid first
+Warranty on parts
-Easy upsell to chain or VVT job

🔒 How To Avoid Overpaying

P0340 generic / P0341 range / P0342 low input - same physical sensor in most cases.
Confirm it is the sensor, not the VVT solenoid. They can show similar codes.
Test wiring continuity before condemning - rodents and heat damage are common.
OEM Bosch, Denso, Hitachi - never bargain sensors for cam position.
Replace the o-ring. Reusing causes oil leaks.
Most cars relearn cam timing automatically. Some need a scan-tool relearn.
If new sensor still throws P0340 - suspect timing chain stretch or cam phaser.

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🔍 Related OBD2 Codes

If your scan tool is showing one of these codes, this repair may be what you need.

P0340 View diagnosis P0341 View diagnosis P0342 View diagnosis

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💬 Frequently Asked Questions

What does a camshaft position sensor do?

It tells the ECU where the camshaft is so the computer can time fuel injection and spark to the right cylinder.

Can I drive with a bad cam sensor?

Sometimes - the engine may run in limp mode using crank signal only. Many cars will not start at all. Fix it within days.

How is this different from the crankshaft sensor?

The crank sensor reads engine speed and timing. The cam sensor identifies which cylinder is on the firing stroke. Both are needed for fuel injection.

Why does my cam sensor keep failing?

Heat damage is common, especially on sensors near the exhaust. Cheap aftermarket sensors fail fast. OEM is worth the extra cost.

Is P0340 always the cam sensor?

Usually but not always. It can also point to a bad VVT solenoid, a stretched timing chain, or wiring damage.