P0018
Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 2 Sensor A
Camshaft / crankshaft timing
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P0018 sets when the ECM detects that the crankshaft and the bank 2 camshaft (sensor A) are out of their expected timing relationship. It often points to a variable-valve-timing problem or a stretched timing chain, but can also be a faulty sensor. Because true timing errors can hurt performance and, in bad cases, the engine, it should be diagnosed promptly.
High
Can I keep driving? Risky — the ECM sees crank and cam timing out of sync; the engine may run rough, lose power, or refuse to start, so drive as little as possible until it's diagnosed.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Hard starting or a no-start
- Rough idle or engine misfire
- Reduced power and hesitation
- Rattle from the timing cover on some engines
Common causes
Most likely first
- Camshaft timing physically out of position (stretched or jumped timing chain, worn guides/tensioner)Likely
- Stuck or clogged variable-valve-timing (VVT) oil-control solenoid on bank 2Common
- Low or dirty engine oil starving the VVT phaserCommon
- Faulty bank 2 camshaft position sensor or crankshaft position sensorLess often
- Damaged wiring or connectors at either sensorLess often
- Faulty ECM (rare)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and check for companion sensor or VVT codes to narrow the fault.
- Check engine oil level and condition first — low or sludgy oil is a common, cheap cause of VVT timing errors.
- Inspect the bank 2 cam and crank sensor connectors and wiring for damage or corrosion.
- Test the VVT oil-control solenoid for correct resistance and free operation; clean or replace if stuck.
- If timing is mechanically off, inspect the timing chain, tensioner, and guides for stretch or wear.
- Clear the code and re-test; replace a confirmed faulty sensor only after ruling out timing and oil issues.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0018?+
Not really. A genuine cam/crank timing mismatch can misfire and, in severe cases, cause valve-to-piston contact. Keep driving to a minimum until it's checked.
Can I just clear P0018?+
You can clear it, but it returns quickly unless the underlying timing, oil, or sensor fault is fixed.
Related codes
Often seen with P0018
Read & clear P0018 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX