Ford Powershift problems: wet or dry clutch, and what helps

Powershift is the name Ford and Volvo use for their dual-clutch automatic gearbox. There are two very different versions: a dry one and a wet one. Which one you have decides where complaints come from and whether a fluid change makes sense.

By the team at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug, RDW-approved APK (MOT) test station since 1979 · Updated 4 November 2026

Our score is 4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews. Read what our customers say

The short answer

Ford has used two kinds of Powershift, depending on the model and engine. The dry Powershift (DPS6) is fitted to the Fiesta and the petrol Focus, among others: complaints such as shuddering when pulling away usually come from the clutch or the gearbox control system, and a flush is not a solution. The wet Powershift (MPS6) is fitted to the Mondeo, Kuga, S-Max and Galaxy, among others, and to Volvos with Powershift: there the clutches run in fluid, and a fluid change according to the service schedule for your model is part of the maintenance. At Autobedrijf Willemsbrug in Rotterdam it starts with a diagnosis, and you hear in advance what is needed and what it costs.

Does your Ford have a wet or a dry Powershift?

A Powershift is a dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The gearbox has two clutches: one for the odd gears and one for the even gears. While one clutch holds a gear, the next gear is already lined up. In a wet Powershift the clutches run in fluid, which also cools them. In a dry Powershift the clutches work without fluid, as in a car with a manual gearbox.

Dry Powershift (DPS6) Wet Powershift (MPS6)
Clutches Dry, without fluid Run in fluid
Fitted to, among others (depending on model and engine) Ford Fiesta and Focus with a petrol engine. Ford Australia also names the EcoSport. Ford Focus and C-Max with the 2.0 diesel, Kuga, Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy. Also Volvos with Powershift.
Fluid in the gearbox Only for the gears, not for the clutches Fluid for the clutches and the gears together
Flush or fluid change Not a solution for complaints Fluid change according to the service schedule for your model, after a diagnosis

Sources: Ford press release January 2009 (via AutoGuide), Ford August 2010 (via The Auto Channel), Autozine (October 2011 and January 2008), Ford Australia in CarAdvice. Which gearbox your car has depends on the model and engine.

In 2009 Ford reported that the Powershift in the European Focus works with two wet clutches, for the 2.0-litre diesel. In 2010 Ford listed the Powershift for the Focus, C-Max, Kuga, Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy, as standard with the 2.0 EcoBoost in the Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy and as an option with the 2.0-litre diesel. In October 2011, according to the Dutch magazine Autozine, the dry Powershift arrived in Europe for the first time, in the Focus with the 1.6-litre petrol engine, in place of the wet clutch from the earlier Powershift gearboxes. In 2008 Volvo launched its own Powershift with two wet clutches, developed with gearbox maker Getrag, first in the C30, S40 and V50 with the 2.0-litre diesel. Not sure which gearbox your car has? Call us with your registration number and we will look it up for you.

Which complaints does the dry Powershift cause and where do they come from?

The best-known complaint with the dry Powershift is shuddering or jerking when pulling away and when accelerating gently. Ford Australia told the motoring magazine CarAdvice that certain petrol Focus, Fiesta and EcoSport models with Powershift can show excessive clutch shudder under light acceleration. According to Ford Australia, this does not affect cars with a manual gearbox or a diesel engine.

According to Ford Australia, the shudder can have two causes:

  • Fluid on the clutch: leaking input shaft seals let fluid reach the clutch plates. As a result, the clutch no longer engages smoothly.
  • Heat in the clutch plates: too much heat in the friction material of the clutch.

As possible solutions, Ford Australia named a clutch of a newer specification, new seals and replacing or reprogramming the transmission control module (TCM). What your car needs only becomes clear after a diagnosis. Other possible complaints with a dry Powershift are hesitation when pulling away, a knock when changing down into first gear and a transmission warning on the dashboard.

With a dry Powershift, a flush or fluid change does not solve the complaints. The clutches do not run in fluid. If fluid gets onto the clutch, that is the problem itself. So have the gearbox examined first.

Which complaints can the wet Powershift cause?

With the wet Powershift, complaints can also be related to the condition of the fluid, because the clutches and the hydraulics work in the same fluid. Old fluid lubricates and cools less well. Possible signs are:

  • Jerks or a hard knock when changing gear, especially at low speed
  • Hesitation when pulling away or when moving the selector from D to R
  • Revs rising while the car does not accelerate with them
  • A transmission warning or limp mode, in which the car stays in one gear

These complaints resemble those of a wet DSG from Volkswagen, which works on the same principle. Our article on DSG gearbox problems explains more about the signs. Do you drive a Volvo with Powershift? Our page about Volvo gearbox flushing explains how we maintain that gearbox.

What can a fluid change fix on a Powershift, and what can it not?

With the wet Powershift, a fluid change is maintenance that can reduce complaints caused by old fluid. With the dry Powershift, it does not solve the known complaints. With both gearboxes, fresh fluid does not repair a worn clutch, a leaking seal or a faulty control unit.

Complaint or situation Dry Powershift Wet Powershift
Fluid not changed for a long time Does not apply to the clutches Fluid change according to the service schedule for your model
Shudder when pulling away Have the clutch, seals or control unit examined Diagnosis first. Old fluid can play a part.
Limp mode or warning Read-out and diagnosis Read-out and diagnosis
Worn clutch The clutch needs replacing. A fluid change does not help. Repair needed. A fluid change does not help.

Advice from Autobedrijf Willemsbrug based on how both gearboxes work. The causes with the dry Powershift according to Ford Australia in CarAdvice.

In the dry Powershift, the fluid only lubricates the gears. We can look up what the service schedule for your model says about it using your registration number. For the wet Powershift, we follow the service schedule for your model. We do not use a mileage rule of our own for this gearbox. How a fluid change works with us is explained on our page about automatic gearbox flushing.

How does the mechanic find out what is wrong with your Powershift?

With a Powershift we start with a diagnosis, because the same complaint can have a different cause in the dry and the wet gearbox. This is how it works with us:

  1. Looking up the gearbox type: from the registration number we can see whether your car has a dry or a wet Powershift, or a different kind of automatic.
  2. Reading out: we read the gearbox control unit for stored faults.
  3. Test drive: the mechanic pays attention to shudder when pulling away, the moment of each gear change, hesitation and knocks, with the gearbox both cold and warm.
  4. Checking for leaks: we look for fluid leaking around the gearbox. With the dry Powershift, fluid on the clutch is a known cause of shudder.
  5. Advice in advance: you hear what is needed and what it costs. We only start once you have agreed.

If the clutch turns out to be worn, our page on clutch replacement explains what is involved. If the gearbox goes into limp mode, read our article on an automatic gearbox in limp mode.

Does every Ford with an automatic gearbox have a Powershift?

No. Over the years Ford has also used other kinds of automatic gearbox, such as automatics with a torque converter. The badge on the tailgate or the wording in an advert does not tell you for certain which gearbox is fitted. The gearbox type decides which maintenance suits it and what the first step is when there is a complaint.

Call us with your registration number on +31 10 479 00 00. We will look up the gearbox type and you hear which maintenance goes with it. If your Ford has an automatic with a torque converter, a flush can be useful maintenance.

Frequently asked questions

Can a flush cure the shudder of a dry Powershift?

No. In the dry Powershift the clutches do not run in fluid. According to Ford Australia, the shudder comes from fluid on the clutch through leaking seals or from too much heat in the clutch plates. That calls for a diagnosis, not a flush.

Does the fluid in a wet Powershift need changing?

Yes. In the wet Powershift the clutches work in fluid, and that fluid ages. We change the fluid according to the service schedule for your model, after a diagnosis. We can look up the requirement for your version using the registration number.

Does a Ford Focus diesel automatic have a dry Powershift?

No, usually not. In 2009 Ford reported that the Powershift in the European Focus works with wet clutches, for the 2.0-litre diesel. The dry version is fitted to the Fiesta and the petrol Focus, among others. To be sure, check it using the registration number.

What should I do if my Powershift shudders when pulling away?

Have the gearbox examined soon. The cause will not go away by itself, and fluid on the clutch will not disappear either. If the gearbox goes into limp mode, drive gently to the garage and no further.

Does the Volvo Powershift also have wet clutches?

Yes. Volvo launched its Powershift in 2008 with two wet clutches, developed with gearbox maker Getrag, first in the C30, S40 and V50 with the 2.0-litre diesel. Maintenance follows the service schedule for your model.

What does a Powershift repair cost?

That depends on the cause: a fluid change, a new clutch, seals or work on the control unit. After the diagnosis, you hear in advance what is needed and what it costs. We only carry out extra work once you have agreed.

Unsure about the Powershift in your Ford?

Call us with your registration number. We look up which Powershift you have, and after the diagnosis you hear in advance what is needed and what it costs.

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip). We work by appointment. For a quick question or check you can walk in without an appointment.

Nederlands? Lees dit artikel in het Nederlands.