BMW N54/N55 vs Honda IMA híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the BMW N54/N55: 21/100 (low risk) versus 48/100 (moderate risk). The BMW N54/N55 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure»; 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 N54/N55

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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 202618 sources How we work

Is the BMW N54/N55 reliable?

The N54 (2006-2016) is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six with many documented faults: high-pressure pump, injectors and wastegates. The N55 (2009-2019) uses a single turbo and is considered simpler, although it shares oil leaks from the filter housing and the electric water pump.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 6 of the BMW N54/N55 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.^[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the Honda IMA híbrido faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N54/N55 and Honda IMA híbrido
Item	BMW N54/N55	Honda IMA híbrido
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	2,979 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	302–335 hp	88–132 hp
Production	2006–2019^[1][2]	1999–2016^{[6][8][9][10][11]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	48Moderate risk	21Low risk
Documented faults	6	3
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure Medium severity: N54 piezoelectric injector failure Medium severity: Turbo wastegate noise and failure	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	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.3 i-VTEC IMA 98 (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Insight II, 2009-2014)^[6][7] 1.3 i-VTEC IMA (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Jazz Hybrid, 2011-2015)^[6][12][13] 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)^[11][14]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	N54B30 302 hp (2006-2010)^[1][3][15] N54 322 hp (2008-2013)^[1][3][15] N54 335 hp (2011-2016)^[1][3][15] N55B30M0 302 hp (2009-2018)^[2][4][16] N55B30 315 hp (2011-2018)^[2][4][16] N55B30O0 322 hp (2014-2016)^[2][4][16] N55HP 335 hp (2013-2015)^[2][4][16]	1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)^[5][17][18] 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)^[5][11][14]
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 N54/N55

See the 13 models with the BMW N54/N55

Honda IMA híbrido

Other comparisons

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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.

BMW N54Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
BMW N55Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Todo lo que necesitas saber sobre el motor BMW N54High Performance Academy · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
BMW N55 Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 23 February 2025 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
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
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
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
The Definitive Guide to the BMW N54 EngineFCP Euro · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
BMW N55 Common ProblemsBMW Tuning · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
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