Honda e:HEV / i-MMD vs 1.2 12V: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD carries less risk than the 1.2 12V: 34/100 (moderate risk) versus 57/100 (high risk). The Honda e:HEV / i-MMD has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP)»; the 1.2 12V has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear».

Risk index

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 12V

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202614 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][3]

See the 3 of the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD faults

Is the 1.2 12V reliable?

The 1.2 12V is a simple, low-power, naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine (54-70 hp), with two documented design faults: the timing chain tensioner, which can end up destroying the engine, and -on the Volkswagen Polo IV- a catalytic converter too close to the cylinder head that can burn the exhaust valves. Ignition coil failures are also common, and there are isolated cases of oil consumption and vibration.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

See the 5 of the 1.2 12V faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda e:HEV / i-MMD and 1.2 12V
Item	Honda e:HEV / i-MMD	1.2 12V
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,198 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	109–184 hp	54–70 hp
Production	since 2018^[1][9]	2001–2014^[4][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	34Moderate risk	57High risk
Documented faults	3	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP) High severity: Faulty fuel pump impeller on the 2019-2020 CR-V hybrid (Honda 6FE campaign) Low severity: 12 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to start	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear High severity: Cylinder head and valve damage from exhaust gas backflow (Volkswagen Polo IV) Medium severity: Higher-than-normal oil consumption
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][9]	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][12]	1.2 54/60 hp (AWY, BMD, BBM, 2001-2014)^[4][6] 1.2 64/70 hp (BME, CGPA, 2002-2014)^{[4][6][13][14]}
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 12V

See the 7 models with the 1.2 12V

Other comparisons

With the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

With the 1.2 12V

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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 Honda HR-V (2022): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
VW Polo 4 (9N): Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes de la Volkswagen Polo 4Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Seat Ibiza (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Seat Ibiza III (2002-2008): Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes de la Seat Ibiza (2002-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · 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
VW EA111Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
VW Polo IVWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
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
Fiabilité et pannes de la Volkswagen Polo 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Skoda Fabia 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French