Honda e:HEV / i-MMD vs 1.2 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD carries less risk than the 1.2 16v: 25/100 versus 36/100 (both moderate 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 1.2 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged head gasket and coolant loss».

Risk index

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 16v

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

Reviewed on 29 October 202616 sources How 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 1.2 16v reliable?

The 1.2 16v (D4F) and its 8-valve predecessor, the D7F, are simple naturally aspirated engines, used for over two decades as the entry-level option in Renault and Dacia cars, with a reputation for reliability: the reliability pages consulted document no catastrophic failures and no oil consumption. The most-cited problems are ignition coils and sensors and, on higher-mileage cars, the head gasket.^[3][4][5][6]

See the 5 of the 1.2 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda e:HEV / i-MMD and 1.2 16v
Item	Honda e:HEV / i-MMD	1.2 16v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,149 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	109–184 hp	60–76 hp
Production	since 2018^[1][7]	2001–2020^{[8][9][10][11]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	25Moderate risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	2	5
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP) Low severity: 12 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to start	High severity: Damaged head gasket and coolant loss Medium severity: Ignition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light) Medium severity: Probe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body)
Most expensive documented repair	up 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]	1.2 16v 75/76 (D4F, 2001-2020)^{[3][4][5][6][12][13][14][15]} 1.2 16v 60 (D4F 708, Twingo I, 2004-2007)^[10]
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][16]	None
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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

1.2 16v

See the 11 models with the 1.2 16v

Other comparisons

With the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

With the 1.2 16v

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Sources

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

Sistema híbrido Honda e:HEV (i-MMD): problemas, fiabilidad y coches que lo llevanMotordex · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
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
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Sandero 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Maxi-fiche fiabilité : la Renault Twingo 2Caradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Honda LEB-H5 (1.5 i-MMD e:HEV): experiencias, problemas, consumo y consejos de compraAutohints · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
Moteur D RenaultWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault KangooFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia LoganFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia SanderoFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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