What year did Ford stop using the dual clutch transmission?
Ford Motor Company announced in 2020 that it would be discontinuing the use of dual clutch transmissions (DCTs) in its vehicles, marking the end of an era for this transmission technology in Ford's lineup.
The Rise and Fall of Ford's Dual Clutch Transmissions
Ford first introduced DCTs in some of its vehicles in the late 2000s, touting the technology as a fuel-efficient and responsive alternative to traditional automatic transmissions. DCTs use two separate clutches to engage the gears, allowing for faster, smoother gear changes compared to a conventional automatic.
However, Ford's DCT-equipped vehicles, such as the Fiesta and Focus models, were plagued with reliability issues and customer complaints about shuddering, hesitation, and other problems. Ford eventually settled a class-action lawsuit in 2019 related to the DCT problems, costing the company hundreds of millions of dollars.
In 2020, Ford announced that it would be phasing out DCTs entirely and transitioning to more traditional torque converter automatic transmissions across its lineup. The decision was driven by the ongoing reliability issues and customer dissatisfaction with the DCT technology.
The Shift to Torque Converter Automatics
Ford's move away from DCTs is part of a broader industry trend. Many automakers have found that traditional torque converter automatics, while not as fuel-efficient as DCTs, are more reliable and provide a smoother driving experience for customers.
- Torque converter automatics use a fluid coupling to transfer power from the engine to the wheels, rather than the mechanical clutches of a DCT.
- This design is generally more durable and less prone to the types of issues that plagued Ford's DCT-equipped vehicles.
- Automakers have also made significant improvements to the efficiency and responsiveness of torque converter automatics in recent years, narrowing the gap with DCTs.
As a result, Ford and other automakers have determined that the benefits of DCTs no longer outweigh the reliability and customer satisfaction concerns, leading to their discontinuation in favor of more proven transmission technologies.
Does a 2013 Ford Focus have a dual-clutch transmission?
The 2013 Focus came standard with a six-speed, dry-dual-clutch automatic transmission. This was supposed to improve fuel economy and be Ford's first foray into the dual-clutch world.
Does a 2012 Ford Focus have a dual-clutch transmission?
The Focus has three transmission options: a basic five-speed manual that's standard on the S and SE trims, a six-speed PowerShift, Ford's special name for the dual-clutch automatic transmission that is optional on the S and SE trims, and Select Shift, the manual option that comes with the SEL and Titanium trims and is ...
What years did Ford use the dual-clutch transmission?
Dual-clutch automatics
The 2012-2016 DPS6 Powershift transmission was used in the 2012–2016 Ford Focus and 2011–2016 Ford Fiesta sedans. This transmission is the subject of a massive number of lawsuits alleging Ford lied in order to sell cars Ford knew had defective transmissions.
Is there a recall on the 2013 Ford Focus automatic transmission?
2013 Ford Focus Recall Transmission
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the power control module, free of charge. The recall beganon November 22, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S09. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
Which Ford models have transmission problems?
In 2023, Ford faced new class action lawsuits alleging dangerous issues with multiple models, including the F-150, Mustang, Expedition, and others using the 10R80 transmission. Plaintiffs assert these vehicles can suddenly lose power and accelerate unpredictably, posing injury risks from collisions.
What year did Ford stop using PowerShift?
Global Phase Out. Following the conclusion of the Powershift lawsuits in 2018, Ford opted to phase out dual-clutch automatics globally. Across North America, Europe, and Australia, the Powershift was discontinued in favour of conventional torque converter automatics with six or more gears.
Did Ford ever fix the PowerShift transmission?
Ford has released fixes of the seals and updated clutch kits. There were also issues with the transmission control module such as faulty connector pins, shifter motors failing, and a poorly connected main ground wire due to paint on threads or an incorrect bolt being used during assembly.
Which Ford cars have dual-clutch transmission?
The 2011–2016 Ford Fiesta and the 2012–2016 Focus have a dual-clutch automatic transmission that is the subject of a class-action lawsuit and many individual lawsuits.
What year is the bad Ford transmission?
These transmission defects have resulted in thousands of lawsuits against Ford across the United States. Today, in California alone, there are at least 800 current individual lawsuits against Ford Motor Company for issues with the PowerShift Transmissions on the 2011-2015 Ford Fiesta and 2012-2015 Ford Focus.
Which Ford cars have dual clutch transmission?
The 2011–2016 Ford Fiesta and the 2012–2016 Focus have a dual-clutch automatic transmission that is the subject of a class-action lawsuit and many individual lawsuits.
