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Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 vs Honda e:HEV / i-MMD: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD carries less risk than the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6: 34/100 versus 36/100 (both moderate risk). The Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear»; the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP)».

Risk index

Audi 3.0 TFSI V6

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

34

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

18 sourcesHow we work

Is the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 reliable?

The supercharged 3.0 TFSI (EA837, 2008-2018) has a reputation for reliability: Gebrauchtwagenberater sees no known problems in the A6 C7. What is documented is limited: thermostat and water pump leaks, a fuel rail recall campaign, chain wear in the first units, and carbon build-up. The turbocharged EA839 (from 2016) has no documented faults of its own yet.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

See the 5 of the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 faults

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.[7][8][9]

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

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 and Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
Audi 3.0 TFSI V6Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement2,995 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power272–450 hp109–184 hp
Productionsince 2008[10][11][12][13]since 2018[7][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)36Moderate risk34Moderate risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear
  2. High severity: Fuel leak at the injection rails (2015 and 2019 campaigns)
  3. Medium severity: Leak at the thermostat housing and water pump
  1. High severity: Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP)
  2. High severity: Faulty fuel pump impeller on the 2019-2020 CR-V hybrid (Honda 6FE campaign)
  3. Low severity: 12 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to start
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €25012 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to startPublished figure[7]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 3.0 TFSI turbo (EA839: CZSE, DR, CWGD; 2016 onwards)[6]
  • 2.9 TFSI twin-turbo (EA839: DECA, DKMB; 2016 onwards)[6][10]
  • e:HEV 1.5 (LEB-H5) 109-131 hp system output (Jazz IV, HR-V III)[7][14]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 3.0 TFSI 290 hp supercharged (CAJA, CGWA; 2008-2013)[1][5][15]
  • 3.0 TFSI 300/310 hp supercharged (CGWB, CGWD, CGXB, CTUA; 2010-2014)[3][5][16]
  • 3.0 TFSI 333 hp supercharged, direct injection (CAKA, CJTB, CTWA, CTUB; 2008-2015)[2][3][15]
  • 3.0 TFSI 333 hp evo supercharged with combined injection (CREC; 2014-2018)[4][5][16][17]
  • 3.0 TFSI 272 hp supercharged (CTUC, CTVA, CMUA, CJTC; 2010-2017)[2]
  • SQ5 3.0 TFSI 354 hp supercharged (2013-2017)[2]
  • i-MMD 2.0 184 hp system output (CR-V V hybrid)[7][8]
  • e:HEV 2.0 184 hp system output (Civic XI)[8][18]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

Audi 3.0 TFSI V6

See the 19 models with the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

Other comparisons

With the Audi 3.0 TFSI V6

With the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

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. Audi A6 C7 4G 2011-2018 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  2. Audi Q5: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  3. Undichtigkeit im Einspritzsystem: Audi-Rückruf läuft bereitsÖAMTC · Consumer association · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  4. Audi: Ersatz des KraftstoffverteilersÖAMTC · Consumer association · published 19 February 2019 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  5. Audi A6 C7: typische Probleme und Diagnose mit ODISKfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich (blog de taller) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  6. Audi A6 C8: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  7. Sistema híbrido Honda e:HEV (i-MMD): problemas, fiabilidad y coches que lo llevanMotordex · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  8. 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
  9. Fiabilité Honda HR-V (2022): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  10. List of Volkswagen Group petrol engines (EA837 y EA839)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  11. Audi Técnica Motor 3.0 TFSI (2008)km77.com · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Audi 3.0 TFSIAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 27 June 2008 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  13. Used Audi A4 buying guide 2008-2015 (Mk4)Carbuyer · Motoring press · published 7 February 2019 · consulted 9 October 2026
  14. Honda LEB-H5 (1.5 i-MMD e:HEV): experiencias, problemas, consumo y consejos de compraAutohints · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Gebrauchter Audi A6 und S6 C7 ZuverlässigkeitsleitfadenEuro Premium Parts (blog de recambista) · Other source · published 29 November 2025 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  16. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (R/2015/031 y R/2019/099)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  17. Audi A6 berlina 3.0 TFSI 333 CV quattro S tronic 7 vel. (2014-2017)km77.com · Motoring press · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
  18. 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