A stuck lock-pin release system for a lock-pin in a cam phaser includes a stuck lock-pin detection module and a stuck lock-pin module that communicates with the stuck lock-pin detection module. The stuck-lock pin detection module periodically determines whether a lock-pin in a cam phaser is in a stuck park condition. When the lock-pin is in the stuck park condition, the stuck lock-pin module alternately biases the cam phaser in a first and second direction until the lock-pin is no longer in the stuck park condition.