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Honda IMA híbrido vs 1.5 K15B (Jimny): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) carries less risk than the Honda IMA híbrido: 14/100 versus 21/100 (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 1.5 K15B (Jimny) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

21

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.5 K15B (Jimny)

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

18 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 1.5 K15B (Jimny) reliable?

The 1.5 K15B in the Suzuki Jimny is a 102 hp naturally aspirated four-cylinder with a timing chain, simple and with no documented faults of its own. The only thing recorded in Europe is a 2018-2020 recall for the fuel pump, precautionary and with a definitive remedy.[4][5][6]

See the of the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda IMA híbrido and 1.5 K15B (Jimny)
Honda IMA híbrido1.5 K15B (Jimny)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,462 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power88–132 hp102 hp
Production1999–2016[2][7][8][9][10]since 2018[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)21Low risk14Low risk
Documented faults31
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: Fuel pump with resin impeller that swells (recall)
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][14][15]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)[10][16]
  • 1.5 K15B 102 hp (Jimny IV, 2018-present)[4][5][6]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)[1][17][18]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)[1][10][16]
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

1.5 K15B (Jimny)

Other comparisons

With the Honda IMA híbrido

With the 1.5 K15B (Jimny)

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. Problemas Suzuki JimnyTotalrenting · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Suzuki Jimny: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Suzuki Jimny Problemecarwiki.de · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  7. Integrated Motor AssistWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. Honda L engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  9. Honda CR-ZWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  10. Used Honda CR-Z buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 31 October 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026
  11. Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  12. Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Suzuki JimnyWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  15. Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  16. Used Honda CR-Z reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 14 August 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
  17. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  18. Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German