P0018 moderate

Crankshaft Position - Exhaust Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2)

The P0018 code means the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system has detected: Crankshaft Position - Exhaust Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2). This is a moderate severity code.

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Keep driving?: Short distances only
DIY difficulty: hard
Estimated cost: $50 - $1,500 (oil change vs. VVT solenoid vs. timing chain replacement)

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Common Symptoms

Check Engine Light on
Rough idle and engine vibration
Reduced power and hesitation during acceleration
Hard starting, especially when warm
Rattling noise from timing chain area

Probable Causes (Ranked by Likelihood)

Stretched or worn timing chain Very High
Faulty exhaust VVT solenoid (bank 2) High
Low or degraded engine oil High
Worn timing chain tensioner or guides Moderate
Faulty crankshaft or camshaft position sensor Low

Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure

Check engine oil level and quality. Low or contaminated oil will cause VVT system malfunctions. Change oil if needed.
Use a scan tool to compare crankshaft position to exhaust camshaft position on bank 2. More than 5 degrees of deviation indicates a timing correlation issue.
Listen for timing chain rattle on cold start -- a brief rattle that fades suggests a worn tensioner. Persistent rattle indicates a stretched chain.
Inspect the bank 2 exhaust VVT solenoid. Remove and check for debris or sludge in the oil screen. Measure resistance (typically 6-13 ohms).
If the chain is suspected, perform a timing chain slack test or remove the timing cover to visually inspect chain, tensioner, and guides for wear.

Common Fixes by Vehicle

What techs usually find when diagnosing P0018 on specific vehicles — tap your vehicle for the fix and the exact part:

2007-2015 Nissan Altima/Maxima/Murano 3.5L VQ35 hard DIY

Timing chain stretch is the primary cause on VQ35/VQ37 engines. Check chain guides for wear; if stretched, replace chain, tensioner, and guides as a set. Correlation code sets when Bank 2 cam retards more than ~8deg from crank reference. Also inspect for sludge blocking the VVT solenoid oil feed.

Labor: 8-12 hours

Common fix part Cloyes Timing Chain Kit (Nissan VQ35) View on Amazon→ Compare fitment at PartsGeek→

2011-2017 Ford F-150/Explorer 3.5L EcoBoost hard DIY

On EcoBoost V6s P0018 is usually the Bank 2 cam phaser sticking due to aged oil. Ford TSB 14-0194: use only 5W-30 meeting WSS-M2C946-A and replace both phasers if the engine ticks on cold start. The VCT solenoid (Motorcraft YL-1R) screen clogs -- clean or replace first.

Labor: 6-8 hours

Common fix part Motorcraft Cam Phaser Kit (3.5L EcoBoost) View on Amazon→ Compare fitment at PartsGeek→

2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma/Tundra 4.0L 1GR-FE moderate DIY

Check the crankshaft position sensor and Bank 2 cam sensor connectors for oil contamination -- leaking rear cam plug drips onto the sensor wiring. Replace the rear cam cover seal and both sensors. A fresh oil change with the correct weight often clears intermittent correlation codes.

Labor: 1-2 hours

Common fix part Bank 2 Camshaft Position Sensor View on Amazon→ Compare fitment at PartsGeek→

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with code P0018?

You can drive short distances to a repair shop, but avoid hard acceleration. If you hear timing chain rattle or experience significant power loss, have the vehicle towed instead to prevent potential engine damage.

Is P0018 related to P0017?

Yes. P0017 indicates intake camshaft correlation issues on bank 2, while P0018 indicates exhaust camshaft correlation issues on bank 2. Both often appear together when a timing chain is stretched.

How much does a timing chain replacement cost?

Timing chain replacement typically costs $800 to $1,500 for parts and labor. The chain itself is inexpensive ($50-$150), but labor is extensive since the front of the engine must be disassembled to access it.