Skip to content
MotorFiable

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD vs 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha carries less risk than the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD: 23/100 (low risk) versus 34/100 (moderate risk). The Honda e:HEV / i-MMD has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP)»; the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

34

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

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 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.[1][2][3]

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

Is the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha reliable?

Naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with a timing belt, which Hyundai and Kia fitted as the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 in the Getz, the Rio II, the Elantra XD and the Cerato I. Buying guides describe it as reliable and durable (250,000-350,000 km with maintenance), with oil consumption and leaks, coils and the throttle, and valve train wear as typical complaints.[4][5][6]

See the 3 of the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda e:HEV / i-MMD and 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha
Honda e:HEV / i-MMD1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power109–184 hp82–112 hp
Productionsince 2018[1][7]2000–2011[8][9][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)34Moderate risk23Low risk
Documented faults33
Of high or critical severity20
Worst severityHigh severityMedium severity
Main faults
  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
  1. Medium severity: Oil consumption and leaks from the sump, crankshaft seal and breather
  2. Medium severity: Wear of the camshafts, hydraulic tappets and intermediate chain
  3. Low severity: Faults with the ignition coils and the throttle body
Most expensive documented repairup to €25012 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to startPublished figure[1]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • e:HEV 1.5 (LEB-H5) 109-131 hp system output (Jazz IV, HR-V III)[1][7]
  • 1.4 16v (G4EE, 97 hp, 2005-2011)[4][12]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • i-MMD 2.0 184 hp system output (CR-V V hybrid)[1][2]
  • e:HEV 2.0 184 hp system output (Civic XI)[2][13]
  • 1.3 12v (G4EH, 82-85 hp, 2002-2005)[4][12][14]
  • 1.6 16v (G4ED and G4ED-G, 105-112 hp, 2000-2011)[5][15]
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

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha

Other comparisons

With the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

With the 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 Alpha

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

  1. Sistema híbrido Honda e:HEV (i-MMD): problemas, fiabilidad y coches que lo llevanMotordex · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  2. 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
  3. Fiabilité Honda HR-V (2022): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  4. Hyundai Getz: typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 November 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  5. Kia Cerato I с пробегом: неудачные механические коробки и шумные, но надёжные моторыKolesa.ru · Motoring press · published 28 February 2019 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  6. Hyundai Getz: Autokatalog mit Zuverlässigkeit und SchwachstellenPKW.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. Honda LEB-H5 (1.5 i-MMD e:HEV): experiencias, problemas, consumo y consejos de compraAutohints · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Hyundai Alpha engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Hyundai Getz 1. Generation (2002-2005): ModellvariantenADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. Kia Rio JB (2005-2009): ModellvariantenADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Hyundai Elantra 1. Generation (XD): 1.6 GLS und SchwachstellenADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. Tous les problèmes sur Hyundai Getz 2002-2010 (fiabilité, témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  13. 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
  14. Hyundai Getz ab 2002: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. Hyundai Elantra XD с пробегом: под хруст гранат и стук клапановKolesa.ru · Motoring press · published 1 November 2018 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language