Timing chain problems: which cars have them

Short answer: among vehicles with US sales figures, the Ford Expedition has the most complaints about timing chain problems per 10,000 sold, followed by the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Chevrolet Traverse. Across all 5,409 federal complaints about it, owners reported a median of about 84,744 miles.

Federal complaints

5,409

Typical mileage

84,744 mi

Typical repair

$1,340–$2,500

What it is

The timing chain keeps the crankshaft and camshafts in step. It's meant to last the life of the engine, but stretched chains and worn guides or tensioners are a known weak point on some engines. Left too long, it can jump a tooth or break.

What owners notice

Rattle for a few seconds at cold start
Check-engine light with cam/crank correlation codes
Rough running or loss of power
Engine that won't start

Vehicles with the most timing chain problems

Complaints about this problem per 10,000 sold, for each vehicle’s model years old enough to judge. Each vehicle’s years start at the first model year with a cluster of these complaints, so a vehicle that got the part later isn’t diluted by years without it. Only vehicles with at least 25 such complaints are ranked (19 vehicles).

1. Ford Expedition 3.5 per 10k sold

127 complaints, 2018–2022 models · typically around 80,000 mi · most in 2018–2019 · estimate costs
2. Volkswagen Tiguan 1.7 per 10k sold

131 complaints, 2009–2022 models · typically around 89,000 mi · most in 2009–2011 · estimate costs
3. Chevrolet Traverse 1.5 per 10k sold

233 complaints, 2009–2022 models · typically around 100,000 mi · most in 2010–2012 · estimate costs
4. GMC Terrain 1.5 per 10k sold

182 complaints, 2010–2022 models · typically around 93,000 mi · most in 2010–2011 and 2014 · estimate costs
5. GMC Acadia 1.1 per 10k sold

145 complaints, 2007–2022 models · typically around 103,000 mi · most in 2008–2010 · estimate costs
6. Buick Enclave 1.0 per 10k sold

78 complaints, 2008–2022 models · typically around 100,000 mi · most in 2008–2010 · estimate costs
7. Chevrolet Equinox 0.85 per 10k sold

286 complaints, 2008–2022 models · typically around 91,000 mi · most in 2008 and 2010–2011 · estimate costs
8. Nissan Pathfinder 0.58 per 10k sold

61 complaints, 2005–2022 models · typically around 89,000 mi · most in 2005–2007 · estimate costs
9. Chevrolet Camaro 0.54 per 10k sold

44 complaints, 2010–2022 models · typically around 72,000 mi · most in 2010 · estimate costs
10. Nissan Frontier 0.49 per 10k sold

56 complaints, 2005–2022 models · typically around 72,000 mi · most in 2005–2007 · estimate costs
11. Ford F150 0.38 per 10k sold

496 complaints, 2005–2022 models · typically around 80,000 mi · most in 2017–2019 · estimate costs
12. Volkswagen Jetta 0.34 per 10k sold

71 complaints, 2005–2022 models · typically around 80,000 mi · most in 2005, 2009 and 2014 · estimate costs
13. Honda CR-V 0.3 per 10k sold

111 complaints, 2012–2022 models · typically around 54,000 mi · most in 2012–2014 · estimate costs
14. Kia Sorento 0.27 per 10k sold

33 complaints, 2011–2022 models · typically around 120,000 mi · most in 2011, 2014 and 2016 · estimate costs
15. Hyundai Santa Fe 0.24 per 10k sold

26 complaints, 2014–2022 models · typically around 130,000 mi · most in 2014 and 2017 · estimate costs
16. Chevrolet Malibu 0.23 per 10k sold

57 complaints, 2008–2022 models · typically around 85,000 mi · most in 2010–2012 · estimate costs
17. Hyundai Elantra 0.22 per 10k sold

40 complaints, 2013–2022 models · typically around 116,421 mi · most in 2017–2019 · estimate costs
18. Ford Explorer 0.11 per 10k sold

37 complaints, 2005–2022 models · typically around 92,659 mi · most in 2014–2015 and 2017 · estimate costs
19. Honda Accord 0.09 per 10k sold

42 complaints, 2008–2022 models · typically around 71,000 mi · most in 2008–2009 and 2011 · estimate costs

Common questions

Which cars have the most timing chain problems?

Among vehicles with US sales figures, the most complaints about timing chain problems per 10,000 sold come from the Ford Expedition (3.5), the Volkswagen Tiguan (1.7) and the Chevrolet Traverse (1.5). Rates cover model years old enough to judge.

At what mileage do timing chain problems usually show up?

Across 5,409 federal complaints, the median mileage owners reported was about 84,744 miles. It varies a lot by vehicle; see the table.

How much does it cost to fix timing chain problems?

Typically $1,340–$2,500 at a national-average independent shop, from book labor hours and parts pricing. Your state's labor rate changes this; the cost estimator on each vehicle page uses it.