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Honda e:HEV / i-MMD vs 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD carries less risk than the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec: 34/100 (moderate risk) versus 59/100 (high 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 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and breakage».

Risk index

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

34

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec

59

High risk · 1 serious fault

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

18 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 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec reliable?

The naturally aspirated 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Ecotec engines from Opel/Vauxhall (GM Family 0; Z10XEP, Z12XEP/A12XER, Z14XEP/A14XER) powered much of the brand's small-car range between 2003 and 2019. It is a simple block with no systematically documented catastrophic engine failures, but with a timing chain tensioner that, according to several sources, does not last well, frequent coil failures and water pump or thermostat problems, and an Easytronic gearbox criticised for the way it changes gear.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

See the 6 of the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda e:HEV / i-MMD and 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec
Honda e:HEV / i-MMD1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power109–184 hp60–100 hp
Productionsince 2018[1][10]1996–2019[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)34Moderate risk59High risk
Documented faults36
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityHigh severityCritical 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. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and breakage
  2. Medium severity: Oil leaks and increased consumption
  3. Medium severity: Ignition coil failure
Most expensive documented repairup to €25012 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to startPublished figure[1]up to €1,400Timing chain stretch and breakagePublished figure[14]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • e:HEV 1.5 (LEB-H5) 109-131 hp system output (Jazz IV, HR-V III)[1][10]
None
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][15]
  • Z10XEP / Z12XEP / Z14XEP Twinport (2003-2009)[4][5][6][7]
  • A10XEP / A12XEL / A12XER / A14XEL / A14XER / A14XFL (2008-2019)[4][8]
  • X10XE / X12XE (1.0 12V and 1.2 16V of the Corsa B, 1996-2000)[16][17][18]
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

1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec

See the 12 models with the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec

Other comparisons

With the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

With the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec

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. Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Opel Corsa 3 : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Opel Astra (2004-2010) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Opel Meriva (2003-2009) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Opel Adam : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Opel Astra H: Probleme & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Honda LEB-H5 (1.5 i-MMD e:HEV): experiencias, problemas, consumo y consejos de compraAutohints · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  11. GM Family 0 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Opel Corsa CWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Opel AdamWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Opel Corsa 4 : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. 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
  16. Fiabilité Opel Corsa (1993-2000) : pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  17. Opel Corsa B (1993-2000)Auto Bild · Motoring press · published May 2004 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  18. Vételi tanácsadó: Opel Corsa BAutonavigator.hu · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language