Skip to content
MotorFiable

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD vs 1.8 T 20v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.8 T 20v carries less risk than the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD: 32/100 versus 34/100 (both 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 1.8 T 20v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Turbo wear and oil consumption».

Risk index

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

34

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.8 T 20v

32

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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 1.8 T 20v reliable?

With up-to-date maintenance, the 20-valve 1.8T has a reputation as a powerful, durable engine for its time, but owner reports document recurring faults: ignition coils (especially on 2001 to 2003 units), water pump and air mass meter, and less often the turbo -sometimes linked to growing oil consumption- and the timing chain tensioner.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the 1.8 T 20v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda e:HEV / i-MMD and 1.8 T 20v
Honda e:HEV / i-MMD1.8 T 20v
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,781 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power109–184 hp150–225 hp
Productionsince 2018[1][10]1996–2006[11][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)34Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults35
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityHigh severityHigh 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. High severity: Turbo wear and oil consumption
  2. Medium severity: Water pump failure
  3. Medium severity: Timing chain tensioner noise and wear
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][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]
  • 1.8 T 20v 150 hp (AEB/AGU/ARZ/AUM, 1996-2005)[5][9]
  • 1.8 T 20v 180 hp (AUQ, 1998-2006)[6][7]
  • 1.8 T 20v 225 hp quattro (BAM, 1999-2006)[7]
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

1.8 T 20v

See the 11 models with the 1.8 T 20v

Other comparisons

With the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

With the 1.8 T 20v

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. Fiabilité et pannes Volkswagen Golf IVFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité et pannes Volkswagen PassatFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Audi A3Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes Audi TTFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité et pannes Seat LeónFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Seat Leon Mk1: Probleme, Schwachstellen, ErfahrungenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · 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. List of Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Audi TTWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. SEAT LeónWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. SEAT ToledoWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  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