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Honda IMA híbrido vs 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v: 21/100 versus 23/100 (both low risk). The Honda IMA híbrido has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006)»; the 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

21

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

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

21 sourcesHow we work

Is the Honda IMA híbrido reliable?

Honda's IMA hybrid system (Insight II, Jazz Hybrid, CR-Z and Civic Hybrid) has a good reputation for reliability in the British press, and its documented weak point is the ageing of the high-voltage battery, which turns on the IMA warning light. There were also two one-off campaigns: the DC/DC converter on the 2006 Civic Hybrid and the CR-Z software.[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the Honda IMA híbrido faults

Is the 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v reliable?

The 1.6 and 1.8 16v Ecotec (Z16XER/A16XER, Z18XER/A18XER) that Opel fitted between 2005 and 2015 to the Astra H and J, Zafira B, Vectra C and Insignia A have a reputation as reliable naturally aspirated engines: the sources consulted document no serious faults or failure patterns, only minor problems such as ignition coils and, on the 1.8, leaks from the oil cooler or thermostat.[4][5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda IMA híbrido and 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v
Honda IMA híbrido1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power88–132 hp115–140 hp
Production1999–2016[2][8][9][10][11]2005–2015[12][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)21Low risk23Low risk
Documented faults33
Of high or critical severity10
Worst severityHigh severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: High-voltage IMA battery degradation and IMA warning light on
  2. High severity: IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006)
  3. Medium severity: CR-Z IMA hybrid system software: the car may move when the engine stalls
  1. Medium severity: Oil and coolant leak or mixing via the oil cooler (1.8)
  2. Medium severity: Coolant loss through the thermostat or water pump
  3. Low severity: Ignition coil failures
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA 98 (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Insight II, 2009-2014)[2][3]
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Jazz Hybrid, 2011-2015)[2][16][17]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)[11][18]
  • 1.6 16V Ecotec 115 hp (Z16XER/A16XER, 2006-2015)[4][5][6]
  • 1.8 16V Ecotec 140 hp (Z18XER/A18XER, 2005-2014)[4][7][19]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)[1][20][21]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)[1][11][18]
None
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 IMA híbrido

1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v

Other comparisons

With the Honda IMA híbrido

With the 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v

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. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  2. Used Honda Insight Mk2 buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 24 October 2019 · consulted 8 October 2026
  3. Honda Insight (2009 - 2014) used car reviewRAC · Motoring press · published 13 February 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
  4. Opel Insignia A – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. Fiabilité Opel Astra (H): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Opel Zafira 2 (B): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Opel Insignia (A): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Integrated Motor AssistWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  9. Honda L engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  10. Honda CR-ZWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  11. Used Honda CR-Z buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 31 October 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026
  12. Opel Astra HWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Opel ZafiraWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  14. Opel Astra JWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  15. Opel Astra J – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  16. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  17. Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  18. Used Honda CR-Z reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 14 August 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
  19. Opel Vectra C: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  20. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  21. Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German