An ECU executes a program including the steps of detecting an engine speed, determining whether the engine speed is at least a threshold value or not, detecting a VVT advance angle calculation count after restarting the engine, determining whether a VVT advance angle calculation count is at least a threshold value or not, detecting a VVT advance angle amount, determining whether the VVT advance angle amount is at least a threshold value or not, determining whether the engine is in a stop sequence or not, setting a VVT abnormality determination permission flag to detect a VVT displacement amount if the engine speed is at least the threshold value, the VVT advance angle calculation count is at least the threshold value, the VVT advance angle amount is at least the threshold value, and the engine is not in the stop sequence, and determining that the VVT is abnormal if the VVT displacement amount is less than a criterion threshold value.