BMW N52 / N53 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 BMW N52 / N53: 34/100 versus 48/100 (both moderate risk). The BMW N52 / N53 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «N53 piezoelectric injector failure»; 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

BMW N52 / N53

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202613 sources How we work

Is the BMW N52 / N53 reliable?

The BMW N52 (2004-2015, port injection) is considered very reliable for a BMW, with known weak points (electric water pump, oil seals, valve cover). The N53 (2007-2013, direct injection) adds piezoelectric injectors prone to failure, which make it more expensive to maintain.^[1][2][3]

See the 6 of the BMW N52 / N53 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.^[4][5][6]

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

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N52 / N53 and Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
Item	BMW N52 / N53	Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	2,996 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	174–272 hp	109–184 hp
Production	2004–2015^[3][7][8]	since 2018^[4][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	48Moderate risk	34Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	3
Of high or critical severity	1	2
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: N53 piezoelectric injector failure Medium severity: Electric water pump and thermostat failure Medium severity: Oil leak from the oil filter housing gasket	High severity: Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP) High severity: Faulty fuel pump impeller on the 2019-2020 CR-V hybrid (Honda 6FE campaign) Low severity: 12 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to start
Most expensive documented repair	up to €600Electric water pump and thermostat failurePublished figure^[10]	up to €25012 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to startPublished figure^[4]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	e:HEV 1.5 (LEB-H5) 109-131 hp system output (Jazz IV, HR-V III)^[4][9]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	N52B25 2.5 (2004-2015)^[1][11] N52B30 3.0 (2004-2015)^[1][11] N53B25 2.5 (2007-2010)^[3][12] N53B30 3.0 (2007-2013)^[2][3][12]	i-MMD 2.0 184 hp system output (CR-V V hybrid)^[4][5] e:HEV 2.0 184 hp system output (Civic XI)^[5][13]
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

BMW N52 / N53

See the 9 models with the BMW N52 / N53

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

Other comparisons

With the BMW N52 / N53

With the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

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Sources

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

These BMW N52 Years Have The Most ProblemsJalopnik · General press · consulted 5 October 2026
BMW N53 Engine ProblemsBMW Tuning · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Der BMW N53 Motor: Technische Daten, Probleme, Haltbarkeit & FahrzeuglisteCarWiki · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Sistema híbrido Honda e:HEV (i-MMD): problemas, fiabilidad y coches que lo llevanMotordex · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
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
Fiabilité Honda HR-V (2022): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
BMW N53Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
BMW N52Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Honda LEB-H5 (1.5 i-MMD e:HEV): experiencias, problemas, consumo y consejos de compraAutohints · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
Problemas BMW N52Total Renting · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
BMW N52 Engine ProblemsBMW Tuning · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
BMW N52 and N53 24 Valve Six Cylinder EnginesUnixnerd · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
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