P018C: owner reports and bulletins

Powertrain (generic, all makes). We haven't written the explanation for this code yet. Below is what owners and manufacturers have filed with NHTSA.

Got P018C on your scanner? Tell the mechanic your year, make, model and any symptoms and you'll get the likely cause and what to check first. Ask about this code.

What owners report to NHTSA

7 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P018C, 7 of them since 2015, across 5 different models. The component owners most often filed it under: engine.

Most-reported models

VehicleComplaintsModel years reported
FORD MUSTANG32018, 2019

Manufacturer service bulletins that name P018C

17 technical service bulletins and manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA mention P018C, from 5 makes. A bulletin means the manufacturer has documented a known cause or a fix procedure for that model. Examples:

  • FORD EXPLORER (2020, 2021, 2022), bulletin 10205484: Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with multiple diagnostic trouble codes (DTC). These DTCs may include P04F0, P008A, P0451, P0455, P0456, P0496 and/or P018C. This may be due to the w…
  • LINCOLN AVIATOR (2020, 2021, 2022), bulletin 10205484: Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with multiple diagnostic trouble codes (DTC). These DTCs may include P04F0, P008A, P0451, P0455, P0456, P0496 and/or P018C. This may be due to the w…
  • CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 (2019, 2020, 2021), bulletin 10193465: This Preliminary information communicates the following issues and directs dealership to inspect the engine harness for shorting. Some customers may comment on any of the following concerns: - SES MIL - No Start - No Cra…
  • GMC SIERRA 1500 (2019, 2020, 2021), bulletin 10193465: This Preliminary information communicates the following issues and directs dealership to inspect the engine harness for shorting. Some customers may comment on any of the following concerns: - SES MIL - No Start - No Cra…
  • FORD ESCAPE (2014, 2015, 2013), bulletin 10169940: Some 2013-2015 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC with a 1.6L GTDI, 1.5L GTDI, or 2.0L GTDI may exhibit a lack of power, loss of power, or stall when placed in gear with DTCs P00C6, P0087, P008A, P008B, P018C, or P018D. If normal dia…
  • LINCOLN MKC (2015, 2013, 2014), bulletin 10169940: Some 2013-2015 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC with a 1.6L GTDI, 1.5L GTDI, or 2.0L GTDI may exhibit a lack of power, loss of power, or stall when placed in gear with DTCs P00C6, P0087, P008A, P008B, P018C, or P018D. If normal dia…

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database and manufacturer communications file, snapshots September 2026. A complaint or bulletin that mentions a code is a report about that vehicle, not a statement that the code has one cause.