The Ford Powershift gearbox was fitted in thousands of cars across the UK over the past decade, promising smooth gear changes, faster acceleration, and better fuel economy. It sounded like a win-win—until drivers started experiencing shuddering, slipping, and, in some cases, complete gearbox failure.
If your Ford Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, Galaxy, or S-Max has a Powershift transmission and is acting up, you’re not alone. Here’s what’s going on—and what your options are if you’re facing a hefty repair bill.
What Is the Powershift Gearbox?
The Ford Powershift gearbox is a dual-clutch automatic transmission. Unlike traditional automatics, it uses two clutches and advanced electronics to shift gears quickly and smoothly, without interrupting power delivery.
On paper, this should make driving smoother and more fuel-efficient.
In practice? Not always.
Common Powershift Gearbox Problems (UK)
Plenty of Ford owners in the UK have reported problems with Powershift-equipped cars. The most common issues include:
1. Clutch Shudder
That unsettling juddering or shaking when pulling away or shifting gears. It often feels like the car is struggling to get going—especially in stop-start traffic.
2. Hydraulic and Sensor Faults
The gearbox relies on hydraulic systems and sensors (including the Transmission Control Module) to operate correctly. When any of these fail, gear changes become jerky, delayed, or unpredictable.
3. Gear Slipping or Hesitation
You may notice the gearbox struggling to pick a gear, hesitating during acceleration, or lurching unexpectedly. This can be dangerous in roundabouts or junctions—and highly frustrating on daily commutes.
4. Complete Gearbox Failure
In some cases, the clutch packs or mechatronic units fail entirely, leading to a loss of drive or a gearbox that simply stops working.
Why Does This Happen?
Many of these issues are caused by a combination of:
- Worn clutch packs (often sealed and non-serviceable)
- Faulty hydraulic actuators
- Sensor or software problems in the control module
- Lack of regular fluid changes or contamination
Can the Powershift Gearbox Be Repaired?
Yes, but repairs don’t come cheap. The Powershift is more complex than a regular gearbox, these faults are expensive and time-consuming to fix.
In more serious cases, the gearbox or mechatronic unit may need full replacement
To make things worse, Ford dealerships are often reluctant to help if your car is out of warranty—leaving you with a big bill and limited options.
What Can You Do If Your Powershift Gearbox Is Failing?
If you’re staring down a costly repair, it might not make sense to throw more money at a car with gearbox problems. That’s where we can help.
At sellyourproblemcar.com, we buy cars with mechanical faults—including Powershift gearbox issues—from across the UK. Whether your car is still driving or stuck at a garage, we can make the process fast and hassle-free.
At sellyourproblemcar.com, we help people across the UK sell cars with mechanical problems—including broken Fords. We offer:
- Free, no-obligation quote (valid for 28 days)
- Free collection, whether from your home, garage or dealership
- Payment before collection
- No inspections, appointments, or stress
- Excellent Customer Service
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If your Ford’s Powershift transmission is playing up, juddering, slipping, or just refusing to work altogether, you’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. Fixing it can be pricey and uncertain. Selling it doesn’t have to be.
Get a free quote today and find out what your car is still worth with a faulty gearbox.