2.0 TSI / TFSI vs Honda IMA híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the 2.0 TSI / TFSI: 21/100 (low risk) versus 54/100 (high risk). The 2.0 TSI / TFSI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «High oil consumption»; 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

2.0 TSI / TFSI

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

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

Reviewed on 8 October 202621 sources How we work

Is the 2.0 TSI / TFSI reliable?

It depends above all on the generation. The earliest units (2008-2012, without Valvelift) have more oil consumption complaints and somewhat more chain and tensioner wear; from 2012 the Valvelift design reduced oil consumption but kept carbon build-up on the intake valves as a weak point until, around 2016, supplementary indirect injection was added. The thermostat housing with the integrated water pump leaks coolant in several generations.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

See the 5 of the 2.0 TSI / TFSI 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 2.0 TSI / TFSI and Honda IMA híbrido
Item	2.0 TSI / TFSI	Honda IMA híbrido
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,984 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	170–320 hp	88–132 hp
Production	since 2008^[1][9]	1999–2016^{[7][10][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	54High risk	21Low risk
Documented faults	5	3
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: High oil consumption Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves	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
Most expensive documented repair	up to €4,000High oil consumptionPublished figure^[14]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 3B / evo, with added indirect injection (2016 onwards, 190-320 hp)^[1][5][15]	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][16][17] 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)^[13][18]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 1, without Valvelift (2008-2012, 170-220 hp)^{[2][3][15][19]} 2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 2/3, with Valvelift and direct injection only (2012-2016, 180-230 hp)^[2][3][15]	1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)^[6][20][21] 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)^[6][13][18]
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

2.0 TSI / TFSI

See the 43 models with the 2.0 TSI / TFSI

Honda IMA híbrido

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 TSI / TFSI

With the Honda IMA híbrido

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Sources

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

Volkswagen EA888 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Fiabilité Volkswagen (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Audi (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Motores TFSI: características, ventajas e inconvenientesAutofácil · Motoring press · published 18 May 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor 2.0 TFSI 190 CV (ficha técnica)km77 · Technical documentation · published 13 May 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
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
Audi TTWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
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
Tu coche quema aceite: 6 señales de alarma y la solución definitiva para salvar tu motorAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 19 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Témoignages fiabilité Audifiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
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
Témoignages fiabilité Volkswagenfiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
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