Honda IMA híbrido vs E-Tech Híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the E-Tech Híbrido: 21/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate risk). The Honda IMA híbrido has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006)»; the E-Tech Híbrido has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)».

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

E-Tech Híbrido

Moderate 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 8 October 202620 sources How we work

Is the Honda IMA híbrido reliable?

Honda's IMA hybrid system (Insight II, Jazz Hybrid, CR-Z and Civic Hybrid) has a good reputation for reliability in the British press, and its documented weak point is the ageing of the high-voltage battery, which turns on the IMA warning light. There were also two one-off campaigns: the DC/DC converter on the 2006 Civic Hybrid and the CR-Z software.^[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the Honda IMA híbrido faults

Is the E-Tech Híbrido reliable?

The E-Tech combines a combustion engine (1.6 H4M naturally aspirated or 1.2 HR12 turbo) with electric motors and a multi-mode gearbox with no clutch or torque converter. Its best-documented weak point is the gearbox itself: reports from the Clio, Captur, Arkana, Austral, Duster and Jogger describe warnings of a risk of breakage, and Renault has launched two campaigns since 2020 (an electrical fault and a primary shaft seal). The 12 V battery also fails fairly often.^[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the E-Tech Híbrido faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda IMA híbrido and E-Tech Híbrido
Item	Honda IMA híbrido	E-Tech Híbrido
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,598 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	88–132 hp	140–200 hp
Production	1999–2016^{[2][7][8][9][10]}	since 2020^[4][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	21Low risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	4
Of high or critical severity	1	2
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	Medium severity: High-voltage IMA battery degradation and IMA warning light on High severity: IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006) Medium severity: CR-Z IMA hybrid system software: the car may move when the engine stalls	High severity: Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage) High severity: Stalling and injection warnings on the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12) Medium severity: Hybrid system electrical fault with "DANGER" warning and car won't start
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.3 i-VTEC IMA 98 (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Insight II, 2009-2014)^[2][3] 1.3 i-VTEC IMA (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Jazz Hybrid, 2011-2015)^[2][13][14] 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)^[10][15]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)^[1][16][17] 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)^[1][10][15]	1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 140-145 (H4M, 2020+)^[5][18] 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 (H4M, 2020-2023)^[19] 1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 (HR12 turbo, 2022+)^[6][20]
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 IMA híbrido

E-Tech Híbrido

See the 12 models with the E-Tech Híbrido

Other comparisons

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With the E-Tech Híbrido

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Sources

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

DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
Used Honda Insight Mk2 buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 24 October 2019 · consulted 8 October 2026
Honda Insight (2009 - 2014) used car reviewRAC · Motoring press · published 13 February 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
Renault Clio VWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault AustralFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Integrated Motor AssistWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Honda L engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Honda CR-ZWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Used Honda CR-Z buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 31 October 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026
Renault Captur IIWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault AustralWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Used Honda CR-Z reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 14 August 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault ArkanaFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Captur IIFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Espace 6Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French