Why did Ford stop using PowerShift?
Ford Motor Company discontinued the use of its PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission in many of its vehicles due to persistent issues with the technology that led to customer complaints and legal troubles. The PowerShift transmission, introduced in the late 2000s, was intended to provide the fuel efficiency benefits of a manual transmission with the convenience of an automatic, but it was plagued by problems that ultimately led Ford to phase it out.
The Issues with Ford's PowerShift Transmission
The PowerShift transmission, used in models like the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus, experienced a range of problems that frustrated customers and led to numerous complaints and lawsuits. Some of the key issues included:
- Shuddering and Hesitation: Many drivers reported that the PowerShift transmission would shudder, jerk, or hesitate during normal driving, leading to an unpleasant and unpredictable driving experience.
- Delayed Gear Shifts: The transmission was sometimes slow to engage gears, causing delays and a lack of responsiveness when accelerating or changing speeds.
- Premature Wear and Failure: The PowerShift transmissions were prone to premature wear and, in some cases, complete failure, requiring expensive repairs or replacements.
- Safety Concerns: The transmission issues raised safety concerns, as the unpredictable behavior could potentially lead to accidents or dangerous situations on the road.
These problems led to a significant number of customer complaints and several class-action lawsuits against Ford, alleging that the company knew about the issues but continued to sell vehicles with the faulty transmissions.
Ford's Response and the Discontinuation of PowerShift
In response to the ongoing issues and legal troubles, Ford took several steps to address the problems with the PowerShift transmission:
- Recalls and Repairs: Ford issued multiple recalls to address the transmission issues, offering software updates and other repairs to try to improve the performance and reliability of the PowerShift transmissions.
- Compensation for Customers: The company also offered extended warranties and other forms of compensation to customers who had experienced problems with their PowerShift-equipped vehicles.
- Discontinuation of PowerShift: Ultimately, Ford decided to phase out the use of the PowerShift transmission in its vehicles, replacing it with more traditional automatic and manual transmission options.
The discontinuation of the PowerShift transmission marked the end of Ford's attempt to introduce a dual-clutch automatic transmission, a technology that had proven challenging to implement reliably in its vehicles. The company's focus shifted to developing and refining its other transmission offerings to provide a better driving experience for its customers.
How long will a Ford Powershift gearbox last?
If a PowerShift gearbox is well-maintained and driven under normal conditions, it should last several years and thousands of miles without major problems.
What is the difference between Ford automatic and PowerShift?
PowerShift's lightning fast, seamless gear changes make driving smoother while saving fuel and lowering CO2 emissions compared with a normal automatic.
Did Ford 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.
What are the problems with the powershift transmission?
ALL PowerShift transmissions have a design flaw relating to the use of dry clutch packs. The most common problems are shuddering when accelerating from a stop (feels like the transmission is slipping), harsh 1-2 upshift and complete failure.
What are the symptoms of PowerShift failure?
Symptoms: Juddering, erratic harsh, or flaring shifts, loss of odd gears, loss of even gears, loss of reverse, total loss of drive, in some cases stalling of the engine.
Is power shifting bad for your car?
You can design your way out of this on cars like this Cadillac which comes with flat foot shifting from the factory. Once. You press the clutch in the spark plug firing is delayed.
What years did Ford have bad transmissions?
Related Story. The Ford PowerShift transmission in question is found in 2011–2016 Fiesta and 2012–2016 Focus cars.
When did Ford stop making PowerShift?
2018
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.
How often should a Ford PowerShift gearbox be serviced?
The service interval for a powershift gearbox varies based on the manufacturer's recommendations, but it typically ranges from 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Regular fluid changes and inspections are essential to maintain the gearbox's performance and reliability.
Is the Ford Powershift transmission reliable?
However, there are still people who drive Ford Powershift vehicles and who may find themselves dealing with similar problems. While the Powershift transmission has been adjusted many times, it still tends to be problematic and frequently requires more repairs than you may expect.
