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Multitronic vs PowerShift: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Multitronic gearbox carries less risk than the PowerShift gearbox: 64/100 versus 72/100 (both high risk). The Multitronic gearbox has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Wear of the variator chain and cones»; the PowerShift gearbox has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Juddering, hesitation and slipping of the dry clutch (DPS6)».

Risk index

Multitronic

64

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

PowerShift

72

High risk · 3 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

10 sourcesHow we work

Is the Multitronic gearbox reliable?

The multitronic is the continuously variable (CVT) automatic gearbox that Audi fitted, with front-wheel drive only, between 1999 and 2014: first the 01J code and, from 2007, the 0AW. It was fitted to the A4 from the B6, the A6 and the A5. Its reliability is limited - Gebrauchtwagenberater calls it Audi's "black sheep": the 01J concentrates control unit failures, jerking when pulling away and chain wear; the 0AW is notably more reliable, although it does not eliminate them entirely.[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the Multitronic gearbox faults

Is the PowerShift gearbox reliable?

Ford PowerShift covers two different dual-clutch gearboxes: the dry-clutch DPS6, fitted to the Fiesta, Focus, B-MAX, EcoSport and C-MAX; and the oil-bath 6DCT450, fitted to higher-torque diesels in the Focus, Kuga, Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy. The DPS6 has racked up thousands of complaints about juddering and slipping, with a US court settlement in 2020; the 6DCT450 is more robust, but needs its oil changed every 50,000-60,000 km to avoid wearing out the clutch.[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the PowerShift gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Multitronic and PowerShift
MultitronicPowerShift
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox typeContinuously variable transmission (CVT) with a link chain running between cones, with an electronically controlled multi-plate start-off clutch instead of a torque converterDual-clutch, 6-speed: dry DPS6/6DCT250 (around 250 Nm) or oil-bath 6DCT450 (up to about 450 Nm), depending on version
Production1999–2014[1][2][3]2010–2023[4][5][7]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)64High risk72High risk
Documented faults34
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Wear of the variator chain and cones
  2. High severity: Control unit (TCU) failure and limp mode
  3. Medium severity: Jerking and vibration when pulling away from cold (multi-plate clutch)
  1. High severity: Juddering, hesitation and slipping of the dry clutch (DPS6)
  2. High severity: Clutch pressure plate breakage (2018 and 2019 recalls on the Focus and C-MAX)
  3. High severity: Accelerated wear of the wet clutch in the 6DCT450
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €2,800Accelerated wear of the wet clutch in the 6DCT450Published figure[8]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • Multitronic 01J (1999-2007)[1][3]
  • Multitronic 0AW (2007-2014)[3]
  • PowerShift DPS6 dry clutch, first generation (2011-2016)[4][5]
  • PowerShift DPS6 dry clutch, revised clutch (2016-2023)[9]
  • PowerShift 6DCT450 oil bath (2010-2023)[6][8][10]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

Multitronic

See the 8 models with the Multitronic gearbox

PowerShift

See the 11 models with the PowerShift gearbox

Other comparisons

With the Multitronic gearbox

With the PowerShift gearbox

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. MultitronicWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. MultitronicWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  3. Typische Probleme & Haltbarkeit der MultitronicGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. Ford Focus (third generation)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Ford Fiesta (sixth generation)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Ford Mondeo MK5 (2014-2022): Typische Probleme & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published 9 August 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. GetragWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Ford Kuga (Mk2, 2012-2019): Typische Probleme & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Used Ford Fiesta (Mk7, 2017-2023) buyers guide: a solid second-hand superminiAuto Express · Motoring press · published 26 June 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Ford S-Max: Typische Probleme & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German