P0018: How to Diagnose & Fix — Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation - Bank 2 Sensor A
37 vehicles · 17 makes · $250-$14,000 repair
How to diagnose and fix P0018: most-reported vehicles
Ranked by owner reports. Each card gives the symptoms, how to confirm the cause, the fix, parts and sources for that vehicle.
Land Rover Range Rover · 2010–2022
The Jaguar/Land Rover AJ-V8 5.0L engine suffers from timing chain tensioner failures. The hydraulic tensioners lose oil pressure on cold starts, allowing the timing chains to slap against the guides. Over time the guides wear and the chain stretches, leading to jumped timing and potential catastrophic engine damage. This is the single most expensive common failure on these engines.
Common Symptoms
- Rattling or whining noise on cold start lasting 2-10 seconds
- Check engine light with camshaft timing codes
- Rough idle after cold start
- Metallic rattling from front of engine
- Progressive worsening of startup rattle over weeks
How to Fix
Replace all four timing chain tensioners, timing chains, and chain guides. This is a major job requiring engine removal or substantial front-end disassembly. Use updated JLR tensioners (part number LR051013 superseded). Budget 20-30 hours labor at an independent specialist.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- DA3416 AJ133 timing-chain kitOEMDA3416.G
Renew the matched timing chains, guides, tensioners and sprockets after AJ133 timing-system failure is confirmed Fitment/availability: Range Rover L322 2010-2012 and L405 AJ133 5.0 V8 branches covered by the listed kit; confirm VIN/engin…
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Owner tips & cautions
- WarningDo NOT ignore cold start rattle. Once the chain jumps timing, the engine is destroyed. Budget $5,000-$8,000 at a specialist. Dealer quotes of $12,000+ are common.
Jaguar XF · 2009–2015
The Jaguar AJ-V8 engines in the XF suffer from hydraulic timing chain tensioner failure, causing chain slack on cold starts. The tensioner bleed-down allows the chain to rattle against the guides, and prolonged neglect leads to stretched chains and jumped timing, risking catastrophic valve-to-piston contact.
Common Symptoms
- Rattling noise on cold start lasting several seconds
- Check engine light with cam timing codes
- Rough idle on cold start
- Progressive worsening of rattle over months
How to Fix
Replace all four timing chain tensioners, both timing chains, and all chain guides. Use updated JLR tensioner part numbers. This is a major engine-out or front-cover-off job requiring 20+ hours labor. Do not delay once cold-start rattle is observed.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- HTK200 complete timing-chain kit for the 2009 4.2L XF branchOEMHTK200
Confirmed chain, guide or tensioner failure on a 2009 XF 4.2L naturally aspirated or supercharged engine Fitment/availability: HTK200 is the later AJ-V8 chain/guide/tensioner kit and its application family includes the 4.2L components us…
- GTCK8003 complete 8 mm AJ133 timing-chain kitOEMGTCK8003
Confirmed timing-drive wear on a 2010-2015 XF 5.0L physically/VIN confirmed to use the 8 mm INA chain system Fitment/availability: GTCK8003 lists XF 5.0L 2009-2015 and contains 8 mm chains, auxiliary chain, guides, tensioners and crank s…
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.
Owner tips & cautions
- WarningDo not ignore cold-start rattle. Once the chain jumps, expect $10,000+ in engine damage or a full engine replacement. Budget $5,000-$8,000 for preventive replacement at a specialist.
Mazda CX-9 · 2007–2015
The Ford-derived 3.7L Duratec V6 in first-generation CX-9 suffers from timing chain stretch, typically between 80,000-120,000 miles. Chain guides and tensioners wear, causing timing to retard and triggering check engine codes. If not addressed, can lead to jumped timing and severe engine damage.
Common Symptoms
- Rattling noise on cold start from timing chain area
- Check engine light with P0016, P0017, or P0018 cam/crank correlation codes
- Rough idle and intermittent stalling
- Engine performance noticeably degraded at higher mileage
How to Fix
Replace timing chain, guides, tensioners, and cam phasers as a complete kit. This is a labor-intensive job requiring partial engine disassembly. Recommended to replace water pump and thermostat while engine is apart.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Melling 3-1047S professional timing setOEMMelling 3-1047S
Early V6 timing-set branch for 2007 3.5L, 2008-2010 3.7L and qualifying 2011 vehicles produced through December 14, 2010 Fitment/availability: Direct indexed product page identifies Melling 3-1047S for 2007-2011 CX-9, with 2007 3.5L, 200…
- Melling 3-1049SC professional timing setOEMMelling 3-1049SC
Late V6 timing-set branch for qualifying 2011 vehicles produced after December 14, 2010 through 2015 3.7L Fitment/availability: Direct indexed product page identifies Melling 3-1049SC for late-2011 through 2015 CX-9 3.7L, explicitly from…
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.
Owner tips & cautions
- TipUse full synthetic 5W-20 oil and change every 5,000 miles to prolong chain life
- TipReplace water pump and thermostat during timing chain job - saves labor cost. CX9Club.com timing chain thread
Sources for this issue (1)
Ford Expedition · 2004–2014
Jaguar XK · 2007–2015
Find P0018 by make
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P0018 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0018 mean?
P0018 stands for "Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation - Bank 2 Sensor A." This code means the computer detected that the crankshaft and the Bank 2 'A' (typically intake) camshaft are out of their expected timing relationship. The computer compares the crankshaft and camshaft position sensor signals; they should stay in a fixed correlation as the engine turns. When the Bank 2 camshaft is too far off from the crankshaft, P0018 sets, indicating the valve timing on that bank is misaligned. This can cause rough running, reduced power, hard starting, or a no-start, and in some cases signals timing chain or phaser trouble that warrants prompt attention.
What are the most common causes of P0018?
The most common causes of P0018 are: Stretched, worn, or jumped timing chain (Bank 2), Worn or broken timing chain guides/tensioner, Stuck variable valve timing solenoid or phaser, Low or dirty engine oil affecting the phaser, Faulty crankshaft or camshaft position sensor, Damaged reluctor/tone ring, Incorrect timing from prior service, Wiring or connector fault at a cam/crank sensor. The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0018?
Repair costs for P0018 range from $250 to $14,000, depending on the vehicle and root cause.
Which vehicles are affected by P0018?
Au7o has documented P0018 across 37 vehicle models from 17 manufacturers: Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Saturn, Subaru, Toyota.
Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.