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1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs Honda IMA híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI: 21/100 (low risk) versus 84/100 (very high risk). The 1.2 and 1.4 TSI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)»; 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)».

Risk index

1.2 and 1.4 TSI

84

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

21

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

28 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The chain-driven 1.2 and 1.4 TSI EA111 engines (2006-2015) carry a recognised problem of chain stretch and tensioner failure, and the 1.4 twincharger engines from before 2012 can break pistons. The belt-driven EA211 engines (from 2012) are considerably more reliable: their typical fault is a leaking water pump.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 5 of the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI faults

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.[6][7][8]

See the 3 of the Honda IMA híbrido faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 and 1.4 TSI and Honda IMA híbrido
1.2 and 1.4 TSIHonda IMA híbrido
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power85–185 hp88–132 hp
Productionsince 2006[9][10][11][12][13]1999–2016[7][14][15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)84Very high risk21Low risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity31
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)
  2. Critical severity: Piston breakage and oil consumption in the 1.4 TSI twincharger
  3. Medium severity: Water pump and thermostat housing leak (EA211)
  1. Medium severity: High-voltage IMA battery degradation and IMA warning light on
  2. High severity: IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006)
  3. Medium severity: CR-Z IMA hybrid system software: the car may move when the engine stalls
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,400Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)Published figure[18][19]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.2 TSI 86-110 hp (EA211, CJZA/CJZB/CJZC/CJZD, CYVA/CYVB, 2012-2019)[3][20]
  • 1.4 TSI 122-150 hp (EA211, incl. ACT/COD; CMBA, CXSA, CZCA, CHPA, CPTA, CZDA, CZEA…, from 2012)[3][5]
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA 98 (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Insight II, 2009-2014)[7][8]
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Jazz Hybrid, 2011-2015)[7][21][22]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)[17][23]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.2 TSI 86/90/105 hp (EA111, CBZA/CBZC/CBZB, 2009-2015)[2][24]
  • 1.4 TSI twincharger revised 160-185 hp (EA111, CTHD/CTHE/CTHG, from 2012)[2][4]
  • 1.4 TSI 122/125 hp (EA111, CAXA/CAXC, from 2007)[2][25]
  • 1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)[6][26][27]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)[6][17][23]
AvoidVersions to avoid
  • 1.4 TSI twincharger 140-185 hp (EA111, BMY/BLG/CAVD/CAVE…, 2006-2012)[2][4][28]
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

1.2 and 1.4 TSI

See the 31 models with the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI

Honda IMA híbrido

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI

With the Honda IMA híbrido

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. VW 1.2 TSI & 1.4 TSI Steuerkette: VW kassiert Kulanz-VersprechenAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 1 June 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  2. Probleme und Schwachstellen beim 1.2 TSI, 1.4 TSI (EA111)Gebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · published 1 September 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. VW EA211: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · published 26 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  4. Volkswagen CAVD 1.4 Litre TSI Engine ProblemsGrant Walker (taller, Australia) · Other source · published 28 June 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
  5. VW Golf 7: Probleme, Mängel & Schwachstellencarwiki.de · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  6. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  7. Used Honda Insight Mk2 buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 24 October 2019 · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. Honda Insight (2009 - 2014) used car reviewRAC · Motoring press · published 13 February 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
  9. Self-Study Programme 359: 1.4l TSI Engine with Dual-chargingVolkswagen AG (copia alojada en volkspage.net) · Manufacturer · published March 2006 · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. Volkswagen EA111 engine (1.2 TSI/TFSI)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  11. Volkswagen EA211 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  12. Audi A1Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  13. International Driving Presentation of the new Polo BlueGTVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 2 July 2012 · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. Integrated Motor AssistWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  15. Honda L engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  16. Honda CR-ZWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  17. Used Honda CR-Z buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 31 October 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026
  18. Coste de cambiar la cadena de distribución: guía VW Audi TSISkanyx · Other source · published 25 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Problemas en la cadena de distribución: casos y costeGT Autos (Málaga) · Other source · published 22 December 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  20. VW: Austritt von Motoröl möglichautoservicepraxis.de · Motoring press · published 16 August 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  21. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  22. Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  23. Used Honda CR-Z reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 14 August 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
  24. Bei älteren VW 1.2 TSi-Motoren: Gefahr einer Längung der Steuerkettefebi bilstein (blog técnico) · Technical documentation · published 28 January 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  25. ADAC Pannenstatistik 2019 (anexo: defectos por encima de la media por modelo)ADAC e.V. · Reliability study · published 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  26. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  27. Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  28. Bulletin – Volkswagen 1.4 Piston FailureSouthside Cylinder Heads (taller, Australia) · Other source · published 6 December 2017 · consulted 26 September 2026