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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
Codes like P0017 or P0011 often mean the exhaust VVT solenoid has stopped directing oil to the camshaft. A failing unit kills low-end torque, hurts fuel economy, and can stall the car on throttle. A driveway swap fixes it, but only with the right part for your engine code and year.
I’m Mo Maruf — the founder and writer behind GoCarLife. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
This guide ranks the best VVT exhaust solenoids for GM, Toyota, and Hyundai by fitment reliability and install ease.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best VVT Exhaust Solenoid
VVT uses oil pressure to rotate the camshaft, optimizing power and efficiency across RPMs. The exhaust solenoid meters oil flow; when it fails, you get a rough idle or power loss. Match the exact OE part number and engine code, not brand loyalty, to guarantee fit.
Confirm the exact OE number, not just the car model
Two different engines in the same model year can use completely different solenoids. Always cross-reference the OE number stamped on your old part—like 12662737 for GM or 15330-0T020 for Toyota—against the replacement’s listed numbers before ordering. When in doubt, use the vehicle fitment filter on the product page with your year, make, model, and engine liter size to verify compatibility.
Decide between single and paired replacement
If one solenoid fails, its twin on the intake side is often close behind since they live side-by-side and see identical heat and oil exposure. Many owners replace both at once to avoid a second repair trip, which is why several quality kits here ship as a 2-piece set. Replacing just the faulty exhaust unit is fine, but you risk repeating the labor when the intake side gives out weeks later.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | OE Reference | Material | Pieces | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GM Genuine 12662737★ Best Overall | Exact OEM fit for GM | 12662737 | Metal | 1 | Amazon |
| MIKKUPPA SetBest Value Set | GM & Saturn 4-cyl coverage | 12655421 | Alloy Steel | 2 | Amazon |
| KacuYelin 917235 917236 | Toyota & Scion 1.8L | 15330-0T020 | Steel & Aluminum | 2 | Amazon |
| A-Premium 918-006 | Chevy Cruze & Sonic 1.8L | 918-006 | Plastic Housing | 2 | Amazon |
| NewYall 24375-2E100 | Hyundai & Kia 1.8/2.0L | 24375-2E100 | — | 2 | Amazon |
| BOXI 918-196 | Volvo 5-cyl engines | 31355829 | Stainless Steel | 1 | Amazon |
| Baxzl 918-005 | GM 1.4L Turbo engines | 918-005 | — | 2 | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. GM Genuine Parts 12662737 Exhaust VVT Solenoid
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 450+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The factory-fresh pick that bolts in and clears codes fast for GM owners.
If you drive a Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac and want a part that fits without guesswork, this GM Genuine solenoid is the benchmark. Its anti-corrosion coating (a protective layer that resists rust) and factory-matched calibration (the exact oil-flow settings the engine was designed for) mean you get the same performance as the original part. It weighs only 6.08 ounces, but the real value is the 24-month / unlimited-mileage limited warranty that backs it.
Installation stories are dominated by five-minute swaps and instant check-engine-light resets. Owners on the 2014 Cadillac ATS 2.0T report a perfect fit, while a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu 2.5 owner had it done in under 30 minutes with the light clearing on startup. The machined exterior and included mounting screw mean you are not hunting for extra hardware if you drop the original bolt into the engine bay.
What wins people over is the sheer reliability — it is the aspect owners praise most, with installation close behind. The part simply behaves like the original because it is built to GM’s own validation standards. One owner on a 2015 Buick Regal 2.0T at 98k miles found the connector removal a little tricky, but that is a quirk of the harness, not the part itself.
Why It Leads The List
- Exact OEM part number 12662737 for a guaranteed match
- 24-month / unlimited-mileage warranty from GM
- Corrosion-resistant coating extends service life
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Only covers the exhaust side — intake solenoid sold separately
- Premium pricing reflects the genuine GM badge
Reach for this if: you drive a GM product and want a factory-backed part with a proven 5-minute install track record.
Think twice if: you need both intake and exhaust solenoids — this single unit will force a second purchase.
2. MIKKUPPA VVT Solenoid Intake & Exhaust Kit
The two-for-one swap that saves a second trip when one solenoid dies.
When the scan tool flags only one bad sensor, the smart money is often on replacing both since they sit side-by-side and share the same oil and heat exposure. This MIKKUPPA kit delivers both intake and exhaust solenoids for roughly the cost of a single dealer part, and owners confirm it is a 10-minute job. The alloy steel construction uses plated housings and brackets specifically to resist corrosion, plus quality O-rings and gaskets that hold oil pressure and prevent leaks.
Real-world fixes here are dramatic. The review pages sum it up: “It did the job. Car runs fine. Saved me a ton of money.” A 2015 Chevy Equinox owner had it installed successfully, and another driver cleared all codes and reported the car running great for several weeks after. One savvy owner compared the price to a quote from a local parts store and beat it easily with a YouTube-assisted install.
The honest catch is the grommet. One owner notes the included O-ring is not the special OEM-style grommet, so long-term sealing under heat and pressure is a slight unknown. For the price of the pair, most find that a fair trade for the immediate fix.
Smart Pair Play: If your Chevy, GMC, Buick, Pontiac, Saturn, or Saab is on its compatibility list, this set removes the guesswork of which side failed and future-proofs the other.
One Caveat: The included grommet (the rubber seal that fits around the wiring) is not an OEM part, so you may need to reuse your original seal to get a factory-perfect fit.
3. KacuYelin 917235 917236 VVT Solenoid Set
A corrosion-proof Toyota twin set with a fast-response silicon steel core.
If you drive a Toyota Corolla, C-HR, Scion xD, or Pontiac Vibe with a 1.8L or 2.0L engine, this pair is built for your platform. The exhaust unit crosses to OE number 15330-0T020 (also 917-236), while the intake side matches 917-235. Both use an electrophoretic coating that prevents oil corrosion and prolongs life, plus premium O-rings that maintain oil pressure and stop premature leaks.
The maker claims a 5%+ fuel efficiency gain from the silicon steel core’s fast ECU response and precise oil-flow adjustment. It is a bold spec, but the real value is the 1-year warranty and the TS16949-certified manufacturing facility behind it. Owners on a 2011 Corolla confirm both units worked, though one noted the exhaust bolt hole needed a bit of persuasion to align perfectly.
Where this set wins is the material story: brass, carbon steel, cast iron, and stainless steel all appear in the build, which is unusual at this price tier. The stainless exterior finish resists the oil and heat that kills cheaper units. Fitment is precise for the listed Toyota family, so double-check your year and engine before ordering.
Built To Last
- Electrophoretic coating resists oil corrosion
- Silicon steel core for fast ECU response
- Includes both intake 917-235 and exhaust 917-236
Watch The Fit
- One 2011 Corolla owner had to finesse the exhaust bolt hole alignment
- Some units reported incompatible for certain trims
Choose this for: Toyota and Scion 1.8L owners who want a corrosion-protected pair with a full year of warranty.
skip it if: your Corolla is older than the 2009-2020 range listed — fitment is strict.
4. A-Premium 2-PC Intake & Exhaust VVT Solenoid
The Cruze and Sonic fix with a one-year unlimited-mileage safety net.
Chevrolet Cruze 1.8L, Sonic, Trax, and Aveo owners have a strong ally in this A-Premium pair. It is a direct replacement using a plug-and-socket connector with 2 pins, a plastic housing, and 12V electromagnetic activation — matching the factory spec for the 918-006 / 12992408 reference set. The included pair covers both intake and exhaust sides, so you can address the whole system in one go.
Fitment is the headline here — it is the aspect owners praise most. A 2014 Chevy Sonic 1.6L owner called it a good replacement, while a 2011 Cruze 1.8 driver reported a rich-and-stalling condition fixed outright. The one-year unlimited-mileage guarantee is a meaningful backstop that budget competitors rarely match, though it only covers the part cost, not labor.
Against the GM Genuine option above, this pair leans on value: two parts for the price of one OEM unit, with the plastic housing keeping weight and cost down. Owners describe the install as smooth with basic tools and note the parts arrive well-packaged and high quality. If your Cruze is the 1.4L turbo rather than the 1.8L, this set is not your match — that engine uses a different solenoid entirely.
Double Duty: Two solenoids, one box, and a year of coverage make this the pragmatic choice for high-mileage Chevy 1.8L commuters.
Know Your Engine: Verify your liter size before buying — the 1.4L turbo Cruze does not use this 918-006 unit.
5. NewYall 24375-2E100 VVT Control Solenoid
The Hyundai and Kia pair that swaps in with one 10mm bolt per side.
For Elantra, Kona, Tucson, Veloster, and Sonata owners running the 1.8L or 2.0L NU engine, this NewYall set matches OE number 24375-2E100. The install is famously simple — one 10mm bolt on each sensor, as owners repeatedly note. A driver chasing a P0017 code bought both solenoids, fixed the car, and saved hundreds versus a shop visit.
The fit earns genuine praise, which is the standout positive here. But the reliability picture is honestly mixed: for every owner who reports a perfect fix, there is another who received a defective part or found the car running rough after install. One owner had to drill the bracket hole one size larger to line up the 10mm bolt, though that car has now covered 1000 miles without issue.
This is the clearest case in the list for “you get what you pay for.” The two-for-the-price-of-one-OEM math is tempting, but the mixed quality signals mean it is better suited to someone comfortable troubleshooting. If your Kia or Hyundai throws the same code and you want maximum reliability, the extra spend on a genuine part is worth considering.
The Good
- Correct fit for Hyundai-Kia 1.8L and 2.0L engines
- 2-piece set covers both intake and exhaust
- 10-minute install with basic tools
The Risk
- Mixed reliability reports — some units arrived defective
- One bracket hole needed drilling to align
Best for: budget-focused DIYers on Hyundai-Kia 1.8L/2.0L cars who can tolerate a small quality gamble.
Not for: anyone who needs a guaranteed one-shot fix — test it early to confirm function.
6. BOXI 918-196 Exhaust VVT Solenoid
The stainless steel fix for Volvo’s 5-cylinder family, tested before shipping.
Volvo owners are famously loyal, and this BOXI unit is built for the C70, S60, S80, V70, XC70, and XC90 across a broad 2001-2014 range. It replaces OE numbers 918-196, 31355829, 36002146, and 36002686, and the stainless steel finish resists the oil and heat of the turbocharged 5-cylinders. Every unit is tested repeatedly before leaving the factory per the maker, and a 1-year limited warranty backs it.
The results are split in a way that demands honesty. On the positive side, a wary Volvo owner was pleasantly surprised: “It has worked flawlessly since install no codes and my car seems to run better also.” Another first-timer fixed a diesel-like rattle on their wagon easily. But there is also a 2001 S60 2.4T owner who saw the part fail within 10 miles, and another who has cycled through three units, calling the quality unclear.
That mixed record makes this a coin-flip for some. If you are handy and willing to test the part immediately, the stainless build and factory testing are genuine positives. But given the Volvo community’s caution about aftermarket parts, verify your exact engine code before buying — the listing warns to check compatibility carefully.
Test It Fast: Install and clear codes immediately — most owners who had trouble saw it fail within a short drive, so the warranty window is your friend.
Verify First: match your Volvo’s year and engine to the 918-196 list before ordering to avoid a return.
7. Baxzl VVT Solenoid Intake & Exhaust 2 PCs
The 1.4L turbo specialist covering Cruze, Sonic, Trax, Volt, Encore, and ELR.
Owners of the Chevy Cruze, Sonic, Trax, and Volt with the 1.4L turbo, plus the Buick Encore and Cadillac ELR, need the 918-005 / 55562223 / 25195245 reference family. This Baxzl pair matches that spec across the 2011-2020 model years for gas engines and the Volt’s PHEV variant. At 11.2 ounces for the set, it is noticeably more substantial than entry-level pairs, and it is manufactured with reference to original specifications.
Fitment reports are consistently positive — a Chevy Sonic LTZ owner confirms it fit perfectly with no issues, and a Cruze driver verified both intake and exhaust solenoids seated properly. One honest note: a 2016 Cruze owner said the part did not resolve their underlying issue, but clarified the product itself seemed decent quality and the problem was elsewhere in the car. That is the reality of diagnosing codes — the solenoid is not always the sole culprit.
The 6-month quality support is shorter than the A-Premium pair’s one-year guarantee, which matters if you want maximum coverage. But for the 1.4L turbo crowd specifically, this is one of the few dedicated pairs that also covers the plug-in Volt — making it a niche pick for hybrid owners who otherwise struggle to find parts.
Niche Coverage
- Fits the 1.4L turbo family including the Volt PHEV
- Both intake and exhaust in one box
- Owners confirm easy bolt-on fitment
Consider This
- 6-month support is shorter than rival guarantees
- May not resolve your code if the fault lies elsewhere
Grab it if: you own a GM 1.4L turbo or Volt and want a dedicated intake-and-exhaust pair checked against factory specs.
Pass if: you prefer a longer warranty — the one-year coverage on the A-Premium set is stronger.
Understanding the Specs
OE Reference Numbers
Every solenoid carries a manufacturer part number (like 12662737 or 15330-0T020) that the automaker stamped on the original. Matching this number exactly is the single most reliable way to guarantee fit, because it bypasses the guesswork of year and trim variations. When a listing says “Replaces 918-005, 55562223, 25195245,” it means that one part serves all those factory numbers across different GM models.
O-Rings and Seals
The solenoid controls oil flow under high pressure, so the O-ring (the rubber ring that seals it into the cylinder head) is what keeps oil from leaking out. A good O-ring holds pressure and stops leaks; a weak one can let oil seep past and cause the same rough-idle problems you are trying to fix. If a kit comes with its own gaskets and O-rings, check they match the OEM profile (the factory shape and size) — some buyers report they prefer reusing the original seal to be safe.
FAQ
What does a VVT exhaust solenoid do exactly?
How do I know if the exhaust solenoid is bad versus the intake one?
Should I replace both intake and exhaust solenoids at the same time?
Will a VVT solenoid fix my P0017 code?
How long does a VVT solenoid replacement take?
Can I install a VVT solenoid myself or do I need a mechanic?
What is the difference between OEM and aftermarket VVT solenoids?
Why does my car stall when I accelerate with a bad VVT solenoid?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
If you want one dependable pick, the best VVT exhaust solenoid is the GM Genuine Parts 12662737 because it delivers factory-backed reliability and a proven fast install for GM owners. If you want both sides covered at once, the MIKKUPPA 2-piece set is the value play with broad GM and Saturn coverage. And for Toyota and Scion drivers, the KacuYelin pair brings corrosion protection and a year of warranty to the table.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, GoCarLife earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.