Honda IMA híbrido vs 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE): 21/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate 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 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «1GR-FE 4.0 V6 head gasket failure».

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202619 sources How 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 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) reliable?

The sources consulted describe them as robust chain-driven engines with few documented faults: on the 4.0 V6 (1GR-FE), the water pump, head gasket on early units and the coils; on the 2.7 (2TR-FE), the front crankshaft seal in the early years. Almost all the data comes from technical websites, not official campaigns.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda IMA híbrido and 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
Item	Honda IMA híbrido	2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	88–132 hp	151–281 hp
Production	1999–2016^{[2][8][9][10][11]}	since 2002^[12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	21Low risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	5
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	Medium severity: High-voltage IMA battery degradation and IMA warning light on High severity: IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006) Medium severity: CR-Z IMA hybrid system software: the car may move when the engine stalls	High severity: 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 head gasket failure Medium severity: 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 water pump leaks Medium severity: 2.7 2TR-FE oil leaks from the front crankshaft seal
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No 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)^[11][16]	2.7 Dual VVT-i (2TR-FE, from 2015)^[6][7] 4.0 V6 Dual VVT-i (1GR-FE, from 2009)^[4][17]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)^[1][18][19] 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)^[1][11][16]	2.7 VVT-i (2TR-FE, 2,693 cc, 2004-2014)^[6][7] 4.0 V6 VVT-i (1GR-FE, 3,956 cc, from 2002)^[4][5][17]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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

2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

Other comparisons

With the Honda IMA híbrido

With the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
Used Honda Insight Mk2 buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 24 October 2019 · consulted 8 October 2026
Honda Insight (2009 - 2014) used car reviewRAC · Motoring press · published 13 February 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
1GR-FE Toyota 4.0L 236 hp: ficha del motor, puntos débiles y fiabilidadAutoHints · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
The 4 Most Common Toyota 1GR-FE Engine Problems8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 29 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
Toyota 2TR-FE 2.7L: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
Toyota 2TR-FE Engine Guide - Specs, Reliability, & Mods8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 2 February 2023 · consulted 2 November 2026
Integrated Motor AssistWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Honda L engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Honda CR-ZWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Used Honda CR-Z buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 31 October 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026
Toyota TR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Toyota GR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Used Honda CR-Z reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 14 August 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
Toyota 1GR-FE 4.0L V6: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German