Skip to content
MotorFiable
en

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD vs 1.33 Dual VVT-i: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD carries less risk than the 1.33 Dual VVT-i: 34/100 (moderate risk) versus 54/100 (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 1.33 Dual VVT-i has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption from piston wear».

Risk index

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

34

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.33 Dual VVT-i

54

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

10 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 1.33 Dual VVT-i reliable?

Yes, with caveats: the 1.33 Dual VVT-i (1NR-FE) is a simple naturally aspirated engine, with no turbo or DPF, and a timing chain. Units built before 2013 carry a factory defect in the pistons, acknowledged by Toyota in a technical bulletin, that sends oil consumption soaring and can end in engine replacement; Toyota corrected it from 2013. We found no specific pattern of water pump or sensor faults; keep an eye on the clutch, manual or with the MMT gearbox.[4][5][6]

See the 3 of the 1.33 Dual VVT-i faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda e:HEV / i-MMD and 1.33 Dual VVT-i
Honda e:HEV / i-MMD1.33 Dual VVT-i
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,329 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power109–184 hp97–105 hp
Productionsince 2018[1][7]since 2008[4][8][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)34Moderate risk54High risk
Documented faults33
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: Excessive oil consumption from piston wear
  2. Medium severity: Hard cold starting and fault code P1604
  3. Medium severity: Premature clutch wear and MMT gearbox actuator faults
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]
  • 1.33 Dual VVT-i (1NR-FE, revised pistons and rings, from 2013)[6]
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][10]
  • 1.33 Dual VVT-i (1NR-FE, first series, 2008-2013)[5]
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

1.33 Dual VVT-i

See the 8 models with the 1.33 Dual VVT-i

Other comparisons

With the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

With the 1.33 Dual VVT-i

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. Toyota NR engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Toyota 1.33 1NR-FE: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  6. Toyota Yaris III (XP13) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published August 2023 · consulted 27 September 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. Toyota istWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Toyota iQWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. 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