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BMW N20 vs Honda IMA híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the BMW N20: 21/100 (low risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The BMW N20 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain guide and tensioner wear (2011-2015)»; 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

BMW N20

63

High risk · 2 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

15 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW N20 reliable?

The BMW N20 (2011-2017) was the first turbocharged four-cylinder with which BMW replaced its naturally aspirated six-cylinders in models such as the 320i, 328i and X3, and it is generally mechanically sound. Its best-documented weak point is the timing chain guides and tensioner on units built before 2015; oil leaks, the electric water pump and, to a lesser extent, the turbo and the high-pressure fuel pump are also known issues.[1][2]

See the 5 of the BMW N20 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.[3][4][5]

See the 3 of the Honda IMA híbrido faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N20 and Honda IMA híbrido
BMW N20Honda IMA híbrido
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,997 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power156–245 hp88–132 hp
Production2011–2017[1][6]1999–2016[4][7][8][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)63High risk21Low risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain guide and tensioner wear (2011-2015)
  2. Critical severity: Electric water pump failure (BMW campaign in the US over fire risk)
  3. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the rocker cover gasket and the filter housing
  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 repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA 98 (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Insight II, 2009-2014)[4][5]
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Jazz Hybrid, 2011-2015)[4][11][12]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)[10][13]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • N20B20 156 hp (115 kW, 2013-2016)[2]
  • N20B20B 184 hp (135 kW, 2011-2017)[2]
  • N20B20 218 hp (160 kW, 2012-2015)[2]
  • N20B20A 245 hp (180 kW, 2011-2017)[2]
  • 1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)[3][14][15]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)[3][10][13]
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

BMW N20

See the 8 models with the BMW N20

Honda IMA híbrido

Other comparisons

With the BMW N20

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. BMW N20Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. BMW N20 Engine: Pros, Cons, Reliability, Tuning, and Maintenance GuideBMW BLOG · Motoring press · published 8 June 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  4. Used Honda Insight Mk2 buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 24 October 2019 · consulted 8 October 2026
  5. Honda Insight (2009 - 2014) used car reviewRAC · Motoring press · published 13 February 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
  6. BMW N20Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Integrated Motor AssistWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. Honda L engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  9. Honda CR-ZWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  10. Used Honda CR-Z buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 31 October 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026
  11. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  12. Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  13. Used Honda CR-Z reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 14 August 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
  14. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  15. Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German