2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC vs E-Tech Híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC carries less risk than the E-Tech Híbrido: 23/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate risk). The 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Camshaft wear and pitting on the 2.0 K20 (Accord VII, CR-V II, Civic)»; the E-Tech Híbrido has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)».

Risk index

2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

E-Tech Híbrido

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202617 sources How we work

Is the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC reliable?

Naturally aspirated Honda petrol engines (K20/K24 and R20) with a timing chain. The only serious documented fault is camshaft wear in the early K20s (2003-2004); the R20A and K24Z show no serious faults in the sources consulted, and only isolated cases of oil consumption appear. The sample of testimonies is small.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

See the 2 of the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC faults

Is the E-Tech Híbrido reliable?

The E-Tech combines a combustion engine (1.6 H4M naturally aspirated or 1.2 HR12 turbo) with electric motors and a multi-mode gearbox with no clutch or torque converter. Its best-documented weak point is the gearbox itself: reports from the Clio, Captur, Arkana, Austral, Duster and Jogger describe warnings of a risk of breakage, and Renault has launched two campaigns since 2020 (an electrical fault and a primary shaft seal). The 12 V battery also fails fairly often.^[7][8][9]

See the 4 of the E-Tech Híbrido faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC and E-Tech Híbrido
Item	2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC	E-Tech Híbrido
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,598 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	150–200 hp	140–200 hp
Production	2001–2016^[10][11][12]	since 2020^[7][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	23Low risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	2	4
Of high or critical severity	1	2
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Camshaft wear and pitting on the 2.0 K20 (Accord VII, CR-V II, Civic) Low severity: Excessive oil consumption on the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC engine	High severity: Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage) High severity: Stalling and injection warnings on the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12) Medium severity: Hybrid system electrical fault with "DANGER" warning and car won't start
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.0 i-VTEC 156 and 2.4 i-VTEC 200 (K family, Accord VII)^[4] 2.4 i-VTEC 200 hp (K24Z, Accord VIII)^[3] 2.0 i-VTEC 156 hp (R20A, Accord VIII)^[3] 2.0 i-VTEC 150-155 hp (R20A, CR-V III and IV)^[1][2]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 i-VTEC Type R (K20Z, Civic VIII FN2)^[10]	1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 140-145 (H4M, 2020+)^[8][15] 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 (H4M, 2020-2023)^[16] 1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 (HR12 turbo, 2022+)^[9][17]
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 / 2.4 i-VTEC

See the 7 models with the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

E-Tech Híbrido

See the 12 models with the E-Tech Híbrido

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

With the E-Tech Híbrido

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Sources

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

Fiabilidad Honda CR-V III: averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Honda CR-V IV: averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Honda Accord (2008-2015): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Honda Accord (2003-2008): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Honda Accord 8: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Honda CR-V RM: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Renault Clio VWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault AustralFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Honda K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Honda R engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Honda AccordWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Renault Captur IIWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault AustralWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault ArkanaFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Captur IIFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Espace 6Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French