Ford Focus: PowerShift DPS6 shudder & slip under light throttle

The DPS6 six-speed dry dual-clutch automatic suffers chronic shudder, judder, and slip at low speeds and under light throttle input, primarily when pulling away from rest and during the 1-2 upshift. The dry clutch packs are susceptible to glazing, oil contamination from input shaft seal leaks, and surface wear that the TCM cannot compensate for. Ford issued multiple TCM software calibration updates that reduced but did not eliminate the problem. Ford Australia faced ACCC action and a class-action settlement in 2017-2019. Replacement clutch packs frequently repeat the fault within 30,000-50,000 km.

• Shudder or judder when pulling away from rest, especially on slight inclines
• Transmission slip at light throttle between 20-60 km/h
• Jerky, hesitant low-speed manoeuvring in car parks
• Delay or lurch on initial engagement from Park or Neutral
• Clunk or snap during 1-2 upshift under moderate acceleration

1. 1

   Test drive in stop-start traffic; apply very light throttle pulling away from rest and note any shudder or slip.

2. 2

   Perform multiple low-speed pull-aways on a slight uphill gradient.

3. 3

   Scan TCM for fault codes and check software calibration version.

4. 4

   Review service history for clutch pack or input shaft seal replacements.

5. 5

   Check for oil staining on transmission bellhousing (input shaft seal leak).

Parts involved: Clutch.

$2,500 to $7,500 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.

• “Has the transmission had clutch pack replacement — and if so, when?”
• “Has the TCM been updated to the latest software calibration?”
• “Is the vehicle registered with Ford Australia's PowerShift settlement program?”
• “Any slip, judder, or delay when pulling away — especially on hills?”

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.