Ford PowerShift Transmission Problems: What to Know
By Sharon Ben-Moshe · July 7, 2026 · Updated August 12, 2026
The Ford PowerShift DPS6 is a dry dual-clutch automatic transmission that Ford installed in the Fiesta and Focus to improve fuel economy. In real-world driving, owners of affected cars reported jerking, shuddering, hesitation, delayed downshifts, and in some cases a temporary loss of forward propulsion.
What Is the Ford PowerShift DPS6 Transmission?
The PowerShift DPS6 was built to combine the fuel efficiency of a manual transmission with the convenience of an automatic. Instead of a torque converter, it uses two independent clutches that pre-select gears, which is why the design is called a dual-clutch transmission.
A dry dual-clutch transmission uses two separate clutch packs, each handling a set of gears, without the fluid bath that wet clutches use to cool and lubricate. That dry design saves weight and fuel but leaves less margin for wear before shifting quality suffers.
Ford used the DPS6 in the Ford Fiesta starting with the 2011 model year and continuing through 2016. It also appeared in the Ford Focus starting with the 2012 model year and running through 2016. Anyone shopping for a used Fiesta or Focus from those model years should know whether the car they're looking at has this transmission before test-driving it.
The Symptoms Owners Reported
Complaints about the DPS6 followed a consistent pattern across both model lines. Drivers described:
- Jerking or shuddering when pulling away from a stop
- A shaking or vibrating sensation at low speeds, similar to riding over rumble strips
- Hesitation when accelerating, as though the car were slow to respond to the gas pedal
- Delayed or harsh downshifts, particularly when slowing down or merging
- In some reported cases, a temporary loss of forward propulsion
These aren't one-off complaints. NHTSA has received thousands of consumer complaints about the DPS6 transmission since it entered production in 2011, a volume that is publicly searchable through NHTSA's recall and complaint database. That database is the same place buyers can check any vehicle for open recalls before purchasing.
Why There Was No Single Nationwide Recall
Given the volume of complaints, a natural question is why the DPS6 was never subject to one nationwide safety recall. Instead, Ford addressed the transmission through several warranty-extension service actions issued over multiple years, which extended coverage for specific transmission components beyond the standard warranty period. These actions, along with related service bulletins, are documented through NHTSA's manufacturer communications page, where automakers file the technical notices they send to dealers.
It's worth understanding the difference between these two tools. A recall is a formal determination that a vehicle has a safety defect or fails to meet a federal safety standard, and it requires the manufacturer to remedy the problem at no cost. A warranty extension or technical service bulletin, by contrast, is a manufacturer's internal guidance for how dealers should diagnose and repair a known issue — it doesn't carry the same regulatory weight. Our guide to the difference between a recall and a technical service bulletin walks through how to read either kind of document when researching a car.
Separate from any warranty action, owners and lessees of affected Fiesta and Focus vehicles pursued a nationwide class-action lawsuit against Ford over the transmission. A federal court entered final approval of that settlement in March 2020, resolving claims on a class-wide basis rather than through a recall process.
How the PowerShift Fits Among Transmission Problems Generally
The DPS6 is one of the more heavily documented transmission issues tracked in used-car research, and it's a useful case study in how a transmission problem can generate widespread owner complaints without a single recall attached to it. It's listed among the vehicles covered in our ranking of the worst transmission problems we've documented using NHTSA data.
It's also not the only automatic-transmission design that deserves this level of scrutiny before you buy. Continuously variable transmissions, common in many other compact and midsize cars from the same era, carry their own set of durability concerns. Ford's dual-clutch design isn't the only transmission generation worth this level of scrutiny — our explainer on CVT transmission problems covers what to check if the used car you're considering has one instead.
What to Do Before Buying a Used Fiesta or Focus
If you're looking at a Fiesta from 2011 through 2016 or a Focus from 2012 through 2016, treat the transmission as the single most important thing to evaluate on the test drive. A few concrete steps:
- Drive it from a complete stop several times, in both light and firm acceleration, and pay attention to any jerking or shuddering as the car takes off.
- Drive at low, steady speeds — the range where dual-clutch shudder is most noticeable — and listen and feel for vibration through the pedals or seat.
- Ask the seller or dealer for maintenance and warranty records, including whether any transmission-related warranty extension work or clutch-related repairs were performed.
- Confirm whether the clutch packs, transmission control module, or related components were ever replaced, and if so, when and under what circumstances.
- Budget for the possibility of a future clutch-pack replacement. The DPS6 is a discontinued design, and a car already showing symptoms is unlikely to improve on its own.
None of this means every Fiesta or Focus with this transmission is unsafe to drive. Many units were repaired under warranty and have performed reliably since. But because the symptoms are well documented and the transmission is no longer in production, a buyer's best protection is a careful test drive and a clear paper trail — not an assumption that the problem was fully resolved industry-wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ford PowerShift transmission?
The Ford PowerShift DPS6 is a dry dual-clutch automatic transmission that uses two separate clutch packs instead of a traditional torque converter. Ford designed it to deliver manual-transmission fuel efficiency with automatic-transmission convenience, but it became known for jerking, shuddering, and hesitation in everyday driving.
Which Ford models have the PowerShift DPS6 transmission?
The DPS6 was used in the Ford Fiesta from the 2011 through 2016 model years and the Ford Focus from the 2012 through 2016 model years. If you're shopping for a used Fiesta or Focus within those years, it's worth confirming which transmission the specific car has.
Was there a recall for the Ford PowerShift transmission?
No single nationwide safety recall was issued for the DPS6. Ford instead addressed the transmission through several warranty-extension service actions over time, and separately, a federal court gave final approval to a nationwide class-action settlement covering affected owners and lessees in March 2020.
What should I check on a test drive to spot PowerShift problems?
Drive the car from a full stop multiple times and pay attention to jerking or shuddering as it accelerates, then hold a steady low speed and feel for vibration through the pedals or seat. Delayed or harsh downshifts when slowing down are another common warning sign.
Is the Ford PowerShift class-action settlement still open?
The settlement received final court approval in March 2020, resolving the case on a class-wide basis. Anyone with questions about their individual eligibility or remaining claims should review the settlement's official terms rather than rely on general summaries.
Should I avoid buying a used Ford Fiesta or Focus entirely?
Not necessarily — many affected vehicles were repaired under warranty and drive normally today. The safer approach is to test-drive specifically for shudder and hesitation, request maintenance and warranty records, and budget for the possibility of future clutch-pack work before you commit to buying.
Related Ford model-year guides
Transmission history is only one part of a used Ford decision. Compare the exact year you are considering with the broader NHTSA record before you test-drive or price a car.