P0018: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 2 Sensor A
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Cautiously and not for long - correlation errors on a bank mean timing components are drifting, sticking, or worse. Confirm the cause before trusting the engine.
Symptoms
- Check engine light
- Rough idle or lack of power
- Rattle on start in chain-wear cases
- Possible hard starting
Likely causes, most common first
- Timing chain stretched on bank 2
- Camshaft phaser stuck or worn
- Oil control solenoid restricted by sludge
- Tone ring shifted on the camshaft
Read P0018 yourself before paying for diagnosis
A basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanner ($20-40) plugs into the port under the dashboard and shows this code with live sensor data on your phone - useful both for confirming the fix and for talking to a shop from an informed position.
What is going on and how it gets diagnosed
P0018 is the bank 2 version of the crank-cam correlation complaint: the camshaft on the second bank is no longer where the crankshaft says it should be. On V engines each bank has its own chain path, guides and phasers, so one bank can drift while the other stays true - which is exactly the clue this code offers a diagnostician.
The cheap possibility deserves its chance first: variable valve timing phasers are hydraulic, controlled by oil solenoids, and sludge or the wrong oil viscosity can pin a phaser off its target - a correlation error with no worn metal anywhere. Fresh oil of the specified grade and a cleaned or replaced solenoid have quietly resolved many of these codes. If correlation data drifts back out afterwards, the mechanical suspects - phaser lock pins, chain and guides on that bank - take over, and the repair conversation becomes the same as P0008's.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0018
“Vehicle has a recurring P0018 fault code (Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 2 Sensor A). Dealer diagnosed loose cam pins on Bank 2 requiring major engine repair. This fault creates a safety risk as improper camshaft timing can cause unexpected engine stalling while driving, resulting in sudden loss of power, power steering, and brake assist. The manufacturer has denied warranty coverage despite the vehicle being within the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This appears to be a known widespread issue on the 3.3L V6 engine. Vehicle has 96,000 miles and is still within warranty coverage period.”2017 Kia Sorento · May 2026
“137,000 Miles, regular oil changes every 4,000 miles,even adding 2 quarts during the 4,000 miles it would still come up short by 1 quart. Started throwing p0018 timing code,high pressure fuel pump on front blew off the valve cover,Im assuming due to jumping out of timing,as the high pressure pump sits ontop of one of the Camshaft rollers. Engine started knocking and is now useless.”2017 Kia Sedona · Mar 2026
“Crankshaft position sensors, codes P0018. Car does not get up to speed, knocking and rattling sounds heard. Oil is correct fullness, was changed less than 1,000 miles ago, O2 sensor changed 2 weeks ago, but car continues to have new codes and more issues.”2014 Kia Sorento · Sep 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Journey. The contact stated while driving on a neighborhood street at 20 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over safely to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact was able to continue driving. The contact drove the vehicle to the local Auto Zone, where the vehicle was diagnosed and DTC: P0018 ( Camshaft/Crankshaft psoition sensor failure) was retrieved. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,365.”2016 Dodge Journey · Nov 2024 · 95,365 mi
“Driving at 35 mph, engine lost power and went into limp mode. Check engine light was flashing. Showed code P0018. Catastrophic engine failure. No compression in bank 2 cylinders. Needs an engine replacement. Only 113,000 miles on the engine. No help from Hyundai at all.”2018 Hyundai Santa FE · Feb 2024
“The vehicle has given codes P0018 and P0021 on multiple occasions. These codes are likely due to an issue with the cam phasers. This is a known issue due to a design flaw.”2019 Ford F-150 · Dec 2023
“P0019, p0018 stability track issues and reduce engin power and I was driving when happen and the air bag light won't go off”2012 Chevrolet Traverse · Nov 2020 · 164,160 mi
“My 2011 chevy traverse check engine light came on, on 9/18/20 and referenced error codes p0009 and p0018. The car is looses power when driven and is getting terrible gas mileage. It only has 111,000 miles on it and has been maintained according to the manufacturer's guidelines. The mechanic that reviewed my car indicated a timing chain issue, which I have found all over the internet has happened to other 2011 traverse owners. Luckily my chain did not break while I was driving on a major highway and cause an accident. When will chevy be held accountable for this issue?”2011 Chevrolet Traverse · Sep 2020 · 111,000 mi
“The timing chain and guides went bad at only 110k miles. And if it was recalled like the 2009 chevy traverse was then I wouldn't have had to fix it. It has the same motor. It is the 3.6l motor. Because it is the sports model. It was throwing p0008 p0018 p0017 and two transmission codes so I believe the transmission is bad now. It is throwing codes p0752 and p0700. *tr”2009 Chevrolet Equinox · May 2020 · 110,000 mi
“The check engine light came on showing codes p0018 and p0019, the vehicle will start to idle and the traction controls come on and the vehicle goes into safety mode not able to go above 30 miles/hour. Mechanic stated that it was indicating issues with timing belt, but that it was very common for this vehicle to have issues with timing belt tensioners going bad.”2012 Chevrolet Traverse · Jun 2019 · 115,000 mi
Cars that report P0018 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0018?
Cautiously and not for long - correlation errors on a bank mean timing components are drifting, sticking, or worse. Confirm the cause before trusting the engine.
How much does it cost to fix P0018?
Typical US repair costs range from $100 for the simplest fix (oil change and cam solenoid service) to $2,500 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0018. They often appear together, and telling them apart is usually what narrows the diagnosis.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.