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Kia Soul: 2.0 Nu GDI Timing Chain Stretch

2.0 Nu GDI Timing Chain Stretch is a common engine fault on the Kia Soul on the 2009–2019 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $1,800 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 8 documented faults on the Kia Soul.

Vehicle
Kia Soul
Engine
2.0L
Years
2009–2019
Fuel
petrol
System
Engine

This page covers the Kia Soul as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Kia Soul faults8 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What goes wrong

The Kia Nu 2.0 GDI four-cylinder engine used in the 2012–2019 Soul has documented timing chain stretch, with KiaTechInfo TSBs acknowledging the condition and issuing tensioner updates. The fault is linked to infrequent oil changes, incorrect oil viscosity, and the original tensioner design. A stretched chain causes variable valve timing errors, rough running, and potential valve-to-piston damage if the chain skips a tooth.

What you would notice

  • Rattle on cold start from engine front, clears within seconds as oil pressure builds
  • P0016 or P0017 cam-crank timing correlation fault codes
  • Rough idle or hesitation that may clear once the engine warms up
  • Check engine light on with timing-related codes

How to check it

Where to look. Engine timing cover, timing chain, tensioner, and guides on the front of the engine

  1. Cold-start the engine and listen immediately for chain rattle from the front before oil pressure builds.

  2. Scan for P0016/P0017 codes.

  3. Review oil service history — cars with intervals over 10,000 km or incorrect oil spec are high risk.

  4. Confirm the oil level is at full; even moderate low-oil operation accelerates chain wear.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

What it costs to put right

$1,800 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “What oil weight and brand has been used throughout ownership?”
  • “Has the check engine light ever appeared for timing-related codes?”
  • “Has the timing chain or tensioner been inspected or replaced?”

Now check the Kia Soul you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Kia Soul buyer questions

Is 2.0 nu gdi timing chain stretch serious on a Kia Soul?

We rate it major and common on the Kia Soul. The Kia Nu 2.0 GDI four-cylinder engine used in the 2012–2019 Soul has documented timing chain stretch, with KiaTechInfo TSBs acknowledging the condition and issuing tensioner updates. The fault is linked to infrequent oil changes, incorrect oil viscosity, and the original tensioner design. A stretched chain causes variable valve timing errors, rough running, and potential valve-to-piston damage if the chain skips a tooth.

How much does it cost to fix on a Kia Soul?

$1,800 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Kia Soul years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2009–2019 Kia Soul. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Cold-start the engine and listen immediately for chain rattle from the front before oil pressure builds. Scan for P0016/P0017 codes. Review oil service history — cars with intervals over 10,000 km or incorrect oil spec are high risk. Confirm the oil level is at full; even moderate low-oil operation accelerates chain wear. Look here: Engine timing cover, timing chain, tensioner, and guides on the front of the engine