P0018: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor A)
High SeverityNot safe to driveIgnition
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.
Estimated repair costFrom €60 to €6000+, varies by vehicle
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:
P0018 on BMW 3 Series
BMW 3 Series • 2005–2024
P0018 on a BMW 3 Series implies a V8 or V10 model: the M3 with the S65 V8 or rare M5 sedan variants with S63 V8. The S65 has known VANOS solenoid failures and rod bearing issues unrelated to P0018 but flagged in the same maintenance window. On the 335i with N54 or N55, bank 2 codes are uncommon because these are inline-6, but VANOS faults can still trigger correlation codes.
What causes P0018 on a BMW 3 Series?
BMW 3 SeriesM3 S65 V8 VANOS solenoid failure on bank 2
BMW 3 Series335i N54/N55 inline-6 VANOS issue (rare for bank 2 code)
P0018 repair cost for BMW 3 Series
Estimated costs for BMW 3 Series ownersadjusted higher than average due to BMW-specific parts pricing
Repair
Parts Cost
Labor Cost
Total Estimate
DIY Difficulty
Oil change with correct spec oil
€56–€140
€28–€70
€84–€210
Easy
Replace bank 2 intake VVT solenoid
€112–€420
€84–€280
€196–€700
Moderate
Replace timing chain kit (V6/V8 with multiple chains)
€1120–€4200
€1120–€4200
€2240–€8400
Professional
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
P0018 on Audi A6
Audi A6 • 2005–2024
The 3.0 TFSI EA837 supercharged V6 and the 4.2 FSI V8 are the typical P0018 candidates in the A6 lineup. The 3.0 TFSI camshaft adjuster on bank 2 fails frequently around 100,000 to 150,000 km. The supercharger must come off to access the chain, driving the labour cost. Always replace both bank adjusters together.
What causes P0018 on a Audi A6?
Audi A63.0 TFSI bank 2 camshaft adjuster failure (chronic)
Audi A64.2 FSI V8 timing chain stretch on bank 2
P0018 repair cost for Audi A6
Estimated costs for Audi A6 ownersadjusted higher than average due to Audi-specific parts pricing
Repair
Parts Cost
Labor Cost
Total Estimate
DIY Difficulty
Oil change with correct spec oil
€52–€130
€26–€65
€78–€195
Easy
Replace bank 2 intake VVT solenoid
€104–€390
€78–€260
€182–€650
Moderate
Replace timing chain kit (V6/V8 with multiple chains)
€1040–€3900
€1040–€3900
€2080–€7800
Professional
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
P0018 on Mercedes E-Class
Mercedes-Benz E-Class • 2005–2024
The M276 V6 and M278 V8 both commonly set P0018 around 100,000 to 150,000 km. Mercedes camshaft adjuster magnets (Magnet Stellglieder) fail on both banks but often one before the other. The M276 has separate solenoids per bank, each around 200 to 350 EUR. Use only MB-approved 229.5 or 229.51 oil to prevent recurrence.
What causes P0018 on a Mercedes E-Class?
Mercedes E-ClassM276 V6 bank 2 camshaft adjuster solenoid failure
Mercedes E-ClassM278 V8 timing chain wear on bank 2
P0018 repair cost for Mercedes E-Class
Estimated costs for Mercedes E-Class ownersadjusted higher than average due to Mercedes-Benz-specific parts pricing
Repair
Parts Cost
Labor Cost
Total Estimate
DIY Difficulty
Oil change with correct spec oil
€56–€140
€28–€70
€84–€210
Easy
Replace bank 2 intake VVT solenoid
€112–€420
€84–€280
€196–€700
Moderate
Replace timing chain kit (V6/V8 with multiple chains)
€1120–€4200
€1120–€4200
€2240–€8400
Professional
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
P0018 on Volkswagen Touareg
Volkswagen Touareg • 2005–2024
The Touareg 3.0 TFSI EA837 V6 and 3.0 TDI V6 are the typical P0018 sources. On the 3.0 TDI (CASA, CASB), bank 2 timing chain stretch is well documented and often appears with P0016, P0017, or P0019. The 3.0 TFSI requires supercharger removal for chain work. Plan for 3000 EUR or more on either engine at an independent VAG specialist.
What causes P0018 on a Volkswagen Touareg?
Volkswagen Touareg3.0 TDI V6 bank 2 chain stretch (CASA/CASB)
Volkswagen Touareg3.0 TFSI V6 bank 2 camshaft adjuster failure
P0018 repair cost for Volkswagen Touareg
Estimated costs for Volkswagen Touareg ownersadjusted higher than average due to Volkswagen-specific parts pricing
Repair
Parts Cost
Labor Cost
Total Estimate
DIY Difficulty
Oil change with correct spec oil
€60–€150
€30–€75
€90–€225
Easy
Replace bank 2 intake VVT solenoid
€120–€450
€90–€300
€210–€750
Moderate
Replace timing chain kit (V6/V8 with multiple chains)
€1200–€4500
€1200–€4500
€2400–€9000
Professional
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
Related diagnostic codes
These codes are often seen alongside P0018 or indicate related issues:
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.
