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MajorVery commonTransmission

Ford Fiesta: PowerShift DPS6 dual-clutch judder and shudder at low speed

PowerShift DPS6 dual-clutch judder and shudder at low speed is a very common transmission fault on the Ford Fiesta on the 2011–2017 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $1,500 to $4,500 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 16 documented faults on the Ford Fiesta.

Vehicle
Ford Fiesta
Years
2011–2017
Fuel
petrol
Gearbox
dct
System
Transmission

This page covers the Ford Fiesta as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Ford Fiesta faults16 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Clutch yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The Ford PowerShift 6-speed dual-clutch transmission (DPS6) fitted to automatic WZ Fiestas is a dry-clutch DCT known for severe shudder and judder during low-speed engagement below 20 km/h. The clutch packs are sensitive to wear and contamination, causing a characteristic bucking and lurching sensation when pulling away from rest in traffic. Ford issued software updates and clutch replacements which provided only temporary relief. The ACCC took Ford Motor Company to the Federal Court in Australia (ACCC v Ford Motor Company of Australia Ltd [2022]) resulting in a AUD 10 million penalty. Many affected vehicles in the AU market were subject to a customer buyback program. Residual units in the NZ/AU used market carry significant risk of recurrence.

What you would notice

  • Shuddering and juddering at low speeds when pulling away from rest
  • Lurching or bucking in slow stop-start traffic
  • Hesitation when selecting drive from park at low speed
  • Transmission hunting between gears below 20 km/h

How to check it

Where to look. Transmission tunnel, PowerShift automatic gearbox

  1. Test drive specifically in slow-moving traffic and attempt multiple slow pull-aways from rest.

  2. Any shudder or judder through the drivetrain at low speed is indicative of DCT clutch wear.

  3. Check for ACCC settlement documentation or Ford buyback records.

Parts involved: Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$1,500 to $4,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has this vehicle had the PowerShift clutch recall or replacement carried out?”
  • “Any shuddering or juddering when pulling away slowly from rest?”
  • “Was this vehicle included in Ford's ACCC settlement or buyback program?”

Now check the Ford Fiesta 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.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Ford Fiesta buyer questions

Is powershift dps6 dual-clutch judder and shudder at low speed serious on a Ford Fiesta?

We rate it major and very common on the Ford Fiesta. The Ford PowerShift 6-speed dual-clutch transmission (DPS6) fitted to automatic WZ Fiestas is a dry-clutch DCT known for severe shudder and judder during low-speed engagement below 20 km/h. The clutch packs are sensitive to wear and contamination, causing a characteristic bucking and lurching sensation when pulling away from rest in traffic. Ford issued software updates and clutch replacements which provided only temporary relief. The ACCC took Ford Motor Company to the Federal Court in Australia (ACCC v Ford Motor Company of Australia Ltd [2022]) resulting in a AUD 10 million penalty. Many affected vehicles in the AU market were subject to a customer buyback program. Residual units in the NZ/AU used market carry significant risk of recurrence.

How much does it cost to fix on a Ford Fiesta?

$1,500 to $4,500 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 Fiesta years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2011–2017 Ford Fiesta. 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 specifically in slow-moving traffic and attempt multiple slow pull-aways from rest. Any shudder or judder through the drivetrain at low speed is indicative of DCT clutch wear. Check for ACCC settlement documentation or Ford buyback records. Look here: Transmission tunnel, PowerShift automatic gearbox