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DSG7 DQ200 vs PowerShift: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the DSG7 DQ200 gearbox carries less risk than the PowerShift gearbox: 59/100 versus 72/100 (both high risk). The DSG7 DQ200 gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Mechatronic unit failure: pressure accumulator, pump and cracked housing»; the PowerShift gearbox has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Juddering, hesitation and slipping of the dry clutch (DPS6)».

Risk index

DSG7 DQ200

59

High risk · 1 serious fault

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

17 sourcesHow we work

Is the DSG7 DQ200 gearbox reliable?

The DSG7 DQ200 (0AM/0CW) is the Volkswagen Group's dry dual-clutch gearbox for engines of up to 250 Nm, fitted to dozens of compact models since 2008. It has a reputation as the least reliable of the DSG family: the mechatronic unit (pressure accumulator, pump and, at times, the housing itself) is its most cited weak point, and the clutch wears sooner in urban use. The post-2013 0CW eases these problems without eliminating them entirely.[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the DSG7 DQ200 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.[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the PowerShift gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of DSG7 DQ200 and PowerShift
DSG7 DQ200PowerShift
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox typeDry dual-clutch, 7-speedDual-clutch, 6-speed: dry DPS6/6DCT250 (around 250 Nm) or oil-bath 6DCT450 (up to about 450 Nm), depending on version
Productionsince 2008[1][8][9][10]2010–2023[5][6][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk72High risk
Documented faults34
Of high or critical severity13
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Mechatronic unit failure: pressure accumulator, pump and cracked housing
  2. Medium severity: Premature dry clutch wear and judder when driving
  3. Medium severity: Reverse and 6th gear selector fork bearing failure
  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 repairup to €3,000Mechatronic unit failure: pressure accumulator, pump and cracked housingPublished figure[1][12]up to €2,800Accelerated wear of the wet clutch in the 6DCT450Published figure[13]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • PowerShift DPS6 dry clutch, first generation (2011-2016)[5][6]
  • PowerShift DPS6 dry clutch, revised clutch (2016-2023)[16]
  • PowerShift 6DCT450 oil bath (2010-2023)[7][13][17]
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

DSG7 DQ200

See the 38 models with the DSG7 DQ200 gearbox

PowerShift

See the 11 models with the PowerShift gearbox

Other comparisons

With the DSG7 DQ200 gearbox

With the PowerShift gearbox

Compare other engines

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Sources

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

  1. DSG7 DQ200: Guía Técnica Definitiva (P17BF, Mecatrónica y Soluciones)STR Performance · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Reliability of the 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission in used cars: our VAG buying guideEuro Racing Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  3. Doppelkupplungsgetriebe: DQ200 - Das große Problem des VW-KonzernsHandelsblatt · General press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  4. Probleme mit VW-DSG: Kein offizieller Rückruf von VolkswagenAuto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  5. Ford Focus (third generation)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Ford Fiesta (sixth generation)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Ford Mondeo MK5 (2014-2022): Typische Probleme & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published 9 August 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Direct-shift gearboxWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. DirektschaltgetriebeWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  10. La caja DSG de 7 velocidades al detalleMotorpasión · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. GetragWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Reparar DSG en España: Precios RealesTCA - Tu Cambio Automático · Technical documentation · published 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Ford Kuga (Mk2, 2012-2019): Typische Probleme & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  14. 7 Speed DSG Gearbox Problems | Mechatronic Faults | DSG Clutch PackEco Torque · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  15. VW, Skoda & Seat DSG Probleme: alle 6 und 7-Gang DQ GetriebeCarwiki · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  16. Used Ford Fiesta (Mk7, 2017-2023) buyers guide: a solid second-hand superminiAuto Express · Motoring press · published 26 June 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  17. Ford S-Max: Typische Probleme & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German