P0018: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor A) - Causes, Cost & Fix Guide

What does P0018 mean?

P0018 means the crankshaft and the intake camshaft on bank 2 are not in the correct rotational relationship. Bank 2 contains the cylinder not housing cylinder 1, so this code only appears on V-engines and some inline engines with multiple banks. The ECU detects the bank 2 intake cam position deviates from the commanded angle, typically due to a stretched chain, failed VVT solenoid, or low oil pressure.

P0018 is a ignition-related diagnostic trouble code classified as high severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P0018 and illuminates the check engine light.

What are the symptoms of P0018?

If your vehicle has triggered P0018, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:

Check engine light illuminated
Rattle from the front of the engine on cold start (especially on V6/V8)
Rough idle and possible misfire on bank 2 cylinders
Hard starting, particularly when the engine is warm
Reduced power and hesitation under acceleration
Increased fuel consumption

What causes P0018?

Here are the most common causes of P0018, ranked by how likely they are to be the culprit:

highStretched timing chain on bank 2 (or shared chain on V-engines)

highFailed bank 2 intake VVT solenoid

mediumLow or degraded engine oil restricting VVT operation

mediumWorn timing chain tensioner or guides on bank 2

lowFailed bank 2 camshaft phaser

lowBank 2 camshaft position sensor fault

Is it safe to drive with P0018?

No - address this immediately. Drive only short distances to reach a workshop. P0018 is a bank 2 (typically intake cam) correlation fault, meaning your engine is a V6, V8, V10, or V12. Continued driving with a stretched timing chain risks bending valves on interference designs.

How do you diagnose P0018?

Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0018:

Check engine oil level and condition. V-engines are particularly sensitive to oil quality and pressure because both banks share the oil pump. Top up or change with the manufacturer-specified viscosity and clear the code
Listen for cold-start rattle from the front of the engine. On V6 and V8 engines a stretched chain or worn tensioner makes a distinct 1 to 5 second rattle until oil pressure builds
Use a scan tool to monitor live cam phasing data on bank 2. Compare actual versus commanded intake cam angle. Deviations over 5 to 10 degrees confirm mechanical timing fault
Test the bank 2 intake VVT solenoid. Resistance typically 6 to 13 ohms. Inspect the screen for debris. A clogged screen blocks oil to the phaser and triggers P0018
If the solenoid is good and oil pressure is normal, suspect the timing chain or guide wear on bank 2. A workshop will need to remove the valve cover for inspection. On many V-engines this is bank 2 specifically, not both banks

How much does P0018 cost to fix?

Repair costs for P0018 vary depending on the root cause and your vehicle. Here are typical estimates:

Repair	Parts Cost	Labor Cost	Total Estimate	DIY Difficulty
Oil change with correct spec oil	€40–€100	€20–€50	€60–€150	Easy
Replace bank 2 intake VVT solenoid	€80–€300	€60–€200	€140–€500	Moderate
Replace timing chain kit (V6/V8 with multiple chains)	€800–€3000	€800–€3000	€1600–€6000	Professional

Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.

P0018 on specific vehicles

P0018 behaves differently depending on your vehicle. Select your car below for model-specific causes, known issues, and adjusted cost estimates:

BMW

P0018 on BMW

BMW 3 Series

See BMW-specific causes & cost

Audi

P0018 on Audi

Audi A6

See Audi-specific causes & cost

Mercedes-Benz

P0018 on Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes E-Class

See Mercedes-Benz-specific causes & cost

Volkswagen

P0018 on Volkswagen

Volkswagen Touareg

See Volkswagen-specific causes & cost

These codes are often seen alongside P0018 or indicate related issues:

P0016 P0017 P0019P0012P0021 P0022

Common questions about P0018

What does Bank 2 mean for P0018?

Bank 2 is the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder 1. On V6 and V8 engines, the cylinders are split into two banks. P0018 only appears on engines with multiple banks (V6, V8, V10, V12). On an inline-4 you would not see this code because there is only one bank.

Why is P0018 more expensive to fix than P0011 or P0016?

Because P0018 is a bank 2 fault on a V-engine. V6 and V8 engines often have separate timing chains for each bank, or a single chain that requires significant disassembly to access. Labour can run 1500 to 3000 EUR on V-engines like the Audi 3.0 TFSI, Mercedes M276 V6, or VW 3.0 TDI.

Can a stretched timing chain show up on only one bank?

Yes, particularly on engines with separate chains for each bank (Mercedes M278, Audi EA837). Wear can be uneven if one bank runs hotter or experiences more load. When you have a confirmed stretched chain on bank 2, always inspect bank 1 at the same time because preventive replacement saves a second teardown later.

How much does it cost to fix P0018 on an Audi 3.0 TFSI?

Plan for 2500 to 4500 EUR at an independent specialist. The 3.0 TFSI requires removing the supercharger and significant front-engine disassembly to access the timing chain. Parts (chain kit, both adjusters, tensioner, guides) are typically 1200 to 1800 EUR. Labour is 1500 to 2500 EUR. A dealer quote will be 30 to 50 percent higher.

Read our detailed guides

Camshaft and Crankshaft Position Sensors: Symptoms and Test

Intermittent no-start or random stall? Learn the symptoms of bad camshaft and crankshaft position sensors, how to tell them apart, and how to verify with OBD2.

P0016 Code: Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)

P0016 means the crankshaft and camshaft are out of sync. Usually a timing chain stretch, VVT solenoid, or oil issue. This can be expensive if ignored. Here is how to diagnose it and what to expect.