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Honda IMA híbrido vs 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111: 21/100 (low risk) versus 50/100 (high 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 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Engine noise and premature wear from lubrication in the 1.0 VHT».

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

21

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

50

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

28 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 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 reliable?

Eight-valve petrol engines, simple, with a timing belt. For the European 1.0 and 1.4, sources only record isolated incidents, mainly ignition faults in damp weather on the 1.4. In Brazil, the 2008-2010 1.0 VHT of the Gol, Voyage and Fox suffered lubrication-related noise, an oil campaign with extended warranty and a software recall in 2009.[4][5][6][7]

See the 4 of the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Honda IMA híbrido and 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
Honda IMA híbrido1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power88–132 hp50–104 hp
Production1999–2016[2][8][9][10][11]1991–2022[12][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)21Low risk50High risk
Documented faults34
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityHigh severityCritical 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. High severity: Engine noise and premature wear from lubrication in the 1.0 VHT
  2. Critical severity: Hard cold starting and software update for the 2009-2010 1.0
  3. Medium severity: Thermostat, housing and water pump of the cooling circuit
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]
  • 1.0 8v 50 hp (AER, ALD, ALL, ANV, AUC; 1996-2005)[19][20]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)[1][21][22]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)[1][11][18]
  • 1.4 8v 55-60 hp (ABD, AKP, AEX, AKV, APQ, ANX, ANW; 1991-2005)[6][7]
  • 1.0 8v Mi and Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 1997-2008)[4][23][24][25]
  • 1.0 8v VHT flex (EA-111, 2008-2022)[4][23][26][27]
  • 1.6 8v Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 2003-2022)[23][28]
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

1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

See the 9 models with the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

Other comparisons

With the Honda IMA híbrido

With the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

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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. A VW e o problema dos motores 1.0Motorshow · Motoring press · published 1 December 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  5. Volkswagen faz recall do novo Gol, Voyage e Fox 1.0Vrum · Motoring press · published 17 August 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  6. Fiabilité Volkswagen Polo III (1994-2001) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  7. Volkswagen Polo III: averías notificadas por los usuariosAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  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. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. VW Golf IIIWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Volkswagen GolWikipedia (pt) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  15. Troca de bomba d'água e correia de sincronismo do Gol G5 EA111Revista O Mecânico · Motoring press · published 7 March 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  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. Fiabilité Volkswagen Lupo (1998-2005) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  20. Volkswagen Lupo (1998–2005): opiniones por motorizaciónAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  21. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  22. Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  23. Justiça do RS determina recall de 400 mil veículos da VolkswagenOlhar Direto (con G1) · General press · published 13 January 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  24. Substituição de bobina, cabos e velas de ignição do Volkswagen Fox 1.0Revista O Mecânico · Motoring press · published 1 December 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  25. Volkswagen Gol: os 5 maiores defeitos crônicos do queridinho do BrasilVrum · Motoring press · published 9 April 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  26. Mais um recall e mais uma marca colocada à provaMecânica Online · Motoring press · published 1 November 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  27. Tribunal revoga recall para Gol, Voyage e FoxiCarros · Motoring press · published 16 January 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  28. Este é o motor Volkswagen que consumia mais óleo que gasolinaClick Petróleo e Gás · General press · published 12 June 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese