Honda IMA híbrido vs 2.0 FSI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the 2.0 FSI: 21/100 (low risk) versus 34/100 (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 2.0 FSI has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

2.0 FSI

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202620 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 2.0 FSI reliable?

The 2.0 FSI is the naturally aspirated version with which the Volkswagen Group introduced petrol direct injection in a two-litre engine, before moving on to the turbocharged 2.0 TSI. Two faults recur across several models: carbon build-up on the intake valves, inherent to direct injection, and ignition coil failure, documented from 5,000 km in one case. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de nevertheless counts it among the most reliable petrol engines in the Audi A4 B7.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 2.0 FSI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda IMA híbrido and 2.0 FSI
Item	Honda IMA híbrido	2.0 FSI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,984 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	88–132 hp	150 hp
Production	1999–2016^{[2][8][9][10][11]}	2003–2009^[12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	21Low risk	34Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	3
Of high or critical severity	1	0
Worst severity	High severity	Medium 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	Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves Medium severity: Ignition coil failure Low severity: Blocked EGR valve
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][15][16] 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)^[11][17]	None
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][17]	2.0 FSI (EA113, 150 hp, 2003-2009)^{[4][5][6][7][20]}
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

2.0 FSI

See the 10 models with the 2.0 FSI

Other comparisons

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With the 2.0 FSI

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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
Audi A3 8P: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
VW Passat B6 – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Audi A4 B7 (8E) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Volkswagen Golf V - pannes moteur, boîte, électronique...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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
Volkswagen Golf Mk5Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Volkswagen TouranWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
VW Passat B6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
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
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
Fiabilité Volkswagen Passat - pannes moteur, boîte, électronique...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French