Ford EcoSport: PowerShift dual-clutch judder, shudder and loss of drive (BK EcoSport 1.5 petrol automatic)
PowerShift dual-clutch judder, shudder and loss of drive (BK EcoSport 1.5 petrol automatic) is a common transmission fault on the Ford EcoSport on the 2013–2017 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $800 to $4,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 5 documented faults on the Ford EcoSport.
- Vehicle
- Ford EcoSport
- Engine
- 1.5L
- Years
- 2013–2017
- Fuel
- petrol
- Gearbox
- dct
- System
- Transmission
What you are looking at
No photograph available
What goes wrong
Clutch judder and shudder from the six-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic is a known issue on the BK EcoSport 1.5 petrol automatic built 2013 to 2017. Reported faults include shudder when pulling away, noise, transmission fluid leaking from the clutch housing onto the clutches, and failure to select first gear when coming to a stop. Owners have also reported intermittent loss of drive or a no-start, which on the related Fiesta and Focus gearbox was traced to a cracked solder joint in the transmission control module. Ford Australia extended PowerShift cover to five years or 160,000 km for the clutch, input shaft seals and software, which has now run out on most cars, and the ACCC took legal action against Ford Australia over its handling of PowerShift complaints. Ask for records of clutch, seal, software or control module work.
What you would notice
- Judder or shudder when pulling away, worst uphill or in stop-start traffic
- Clunks, noise or hesitation on gear changes
- Will not select first gear smoothly when coming to a stop
- Sudden loss of drive, warning light or no-start
How to check it
Where to look. Gearbox, engine bay (left side)
Test drive from cold in stop-start traffic and pull away uphill: feel for judder or shudder and listen for clunks on gear changes.
Check that first gear engages smoothly as the car rolls to a stop and that drive engages every time after restarting.
Ask for paperwork showing clutch, input shaft seal, software or transmission control module work.
If a workshop inspection is possible: have transmission fault codes read and check the clutch housing for fluid leaks.
What it costs to put right
$800 to $4,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.
Ask the seller
- “Has the PowerShift clutch, input shaft seals or transmission control module been replaced, and do you have the invoices?”
- “Has the transmission had Ford software updates?”
- “Does it ever judder pulling away or lose drive?”
Now check the Ford EcoSport you are actually looking at
Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.
Where this comes from
Ford EcoSport buyer questions
Is powershift dual-clutch judder, shudder and loss of drive (bk ecosport 1.5 petrol automatic) serious on a Ford EcoSport?
We rate it major and common on the Ford EcoSport. Clutch judder and shudder from the six-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic is a known issue on the BK EcoSport 1.5 petrol automatic built 2013 to 2017. Reported faults include shudder when pulling away, noise, transmission fluid leaking from the clutch housing onto the clutches, and failure to select first gear when coming to a stop. Owners have also reported intermittent loss of drive or a no-start, which on the related Fiesta and Focus gearbox was traced to a cracked solder joint in the transmission control module. Ford Australia extended PowerShift cover to five years or 160,000 km for the clutch, input shaft seals and software, which has now run out on most cars, and the ACCC took legal action against Ford Australia over its handling of PowerShift complaints. Ask for records of clutch, seal, software or control module work.
How much does it cost to fix on a Ford EcoSport?
$800 to $4,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.
Which Ford EcoSport years are affected?
Our research records this fault on the 2013–2017 Ford EcoSport. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.
How do I check for it before I buy?
Test drive from cold in stop-start traffic and pull away uphill: feel for judder or shudder and listen for clunks on gear changes. Check that first gear engages smoothly as the car rolls to a stop and that drive engages every time after restarting. Ask for paperwork showing clutch, input shaft seal, software or transmission control module work. If a workshop inspection is possible: have transmission fault codes read and check the clutch housing for fluid leaks. Look here: Gearbox, engine bay (left side)