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Honda e:HEV / i-MMD vs 1.6 THP: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD carries less risk than the 1.6 THP: 25/100 (moderate risk) versus 64/100 (high risk). The Honda e:HEV / i-MMD has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP)»; the 1.6 THP has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)».

Risk index

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

25

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 THP

64

High risk · 2 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

11 sourcesHow we work

Is the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD reliable?

The Honda e:HEV hybrid system (formerly i-MMD) has no serious, widespread faults documented in the sources consulted. The most cited issue is the 12 V battery going flat when the car stands unused and, on the 2.0, a recall for the high-pressure fuel pump.[1][2]

See the 2 of the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD faults

Is the 1.6 THP reliable?

The 1.6 THP turbo and its naturally aspirated sibling, the 1.6 VTi, make up the Prince family, developed together with BMW and also used by MINI: they do not have a reputation for reliability. Turbo versions built before 2012 carry a known problem of timing chain stretch, and the whole block shares a water pump described as fragile; the turbo versions add oil consumption and high-pressure fuel pump failures.[3][4][5][6]

See the 4 of the 1.6 THP faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda e:HEV / i-MMD and 1.6 THP
Honda e:HEV / i-MMD1.6 THP
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,598 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power109–184 hp120–270 hp
Productionsince 2018[1][7]2006–2018[3][8][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)25Moderate risk64High risk
Documented faults24
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP)
  2. Low severity: 12 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to start
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)
  2. High severity: Fragile water pump and heat exchanger
  3. Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versions
Most expensive documented repairup to €25012 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to startPublished figure[1]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • e:HEV 1.5 (LEB-H5) 109-131 hp system output (Jazz IV, HR-V III)[1][7]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • i-MMD 2.0 184 hp system output (CR-V V hybrid)[1][2]
  • e:HEV 2.0 184 hp system output (Civic XI)[2][10]
  • 1.6 VTi 120 / 1.6 16v (EP6/EP6C, N12/N16, naturally aspirated)[6]
  • 1.6 THP medium output (EP6DT/EP6DTS/EP6CDT, N14/N18; 140-190 hp)[4][5][11]
  • 1.6 THP high performance (EP6CDXD/EP6FDTR/EP6CDTR, John Cooper Works N14/N18; 200-270 hp)[4][5][6]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

1.6 THP

See the 16 models with the 1.6 THP

Other comparisons

With the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

With the 1.6 THP

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Sistema híbrido Honda e:HEV (i-MMD): problemas, fiabilidad y coches que lo llevanMotordex · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Honda recalls 1.3 million cars: fuel pump fire risk (KBA 14559R)Car-Recalls.eu · Motoring press · published 17 March 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
  3. Prince engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Moteurs essence qui consomment de l'huileFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Liste des moteurs qui ont des soucis de refroidissementFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Honda LEB-H5 (1.5 i-MMD e:HEV): experiencias, problemas, consumo y consejos de compraAutohints · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Peugeot 308Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Peugeot RCZWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Guide d'achat Honda Civic (nueva campaña 6YP, 4.740 híbridos en Francia)L'argus · Motoring press · published 7 January 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French
  11. BMW Recalls Fuel Pumps. Mini Does NotMotoringFile · Motoring press · published 27 October 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026