a camshaft adjuster has multiple locking guide slots and multiple locking pins spring - loaded in the direction of engagement with the locking guide slots and which , by varying assignment to the rotor and to the stator , are arranged relative to one another such that the rotor can , under the action of fluctuating torques , be automatically locked into the predetermined center position relative to the stator proceeding from a first early or late stop position by a successive engagement of the locking pins into the locking guide slots . the locking pins and the locking guide slots are arranged so that , in the event of a rotation of the rotor in the direction of the center locking position proceeding from the respective other second early or late stop position , the locking pins lock into the locking guide slots in the reverse sequence from different directions .