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Honda e:HEV / i-MMD vs 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) carries less risk than the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD: 14/100 (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 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

34

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

14

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

13 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 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) reliable?

Nissan's three-cylinder 1.2 (80 hp naturally aspirated or 98 hp DIG-S with supercharger) has a reputation for simplicity and durability. The only documented item is a recall over the ignition coil on DIG-S units built between 2015 and 2016; the CVT gearbox is a separate matter.[4][5][6]

See the of the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR) fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda e:HEV / i-MMD and 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)
Honda e:HEV / i-MMD1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,198 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power109–184 hp80–98 hp
Productionsince 2018[1][7]2010–2017[8][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)34Moderate risk14Low risk
Documented faults31
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: Short-circuited ignition coil: the engine stalls and will not restart
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]
  • 1.2 HR12DE 80 hp (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2010-2017)[4][5]
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][11]
  • 1.2 DIG-S HR12DDR 98 hp with supercharger (Micra K13 and Note E12, 2011-2017)[6][12][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

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

Other comparisons

With the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

With the 1.2 HR12DE and 1.2 DIG-S (HR12DDR)

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. 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. Nissan Micra K13: bezawaryjne auto miejskieOtomoto · Motoring press · published 30 October 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
  5. Nissan Micra (K12, K13, K14): Probleme, Schwachstellen und Krankheitencarwiki.de · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  6. Nissan Note: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  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. Nissan HR engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  9. Nissan MicraWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  10. Nissan NoteWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  11. 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
  12. Nissan Micra (K13/E12): el motor se apaga estando en funcionamientoHELLA · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Il motore si spegne improvvisamente anche durante la marcia (Nissan Micra K13)Carpedia · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language