Skip to content
MotorFiable
en

EDC vs ZF 8HP: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the ZF 8HP gearbox carries less risk than the EDC gearbox: 36/100 versus 38/100 (both moderate risk). The EDC gearbox has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EDC gearbox overheating and safety neutral»; the ZF 8HP gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Mechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)».

Risk index

EDC

38

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

ZF 8HP

36

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

13 sourcesHow we work

Is the EDC gearbox reliable?

The EDC covers several Renault dual-clutch gearboxes: the EDC6 (Getrag DC4 dry clutch on most entry-level engines, or DW6 wet clutch on higher-torque ones) and the wet-clutch EDC7, introduced in 2016 to fix the low-speed judder of the earlier unit. Many owners document early clutch wear, overheating that forces a safety neutral, and control electronics faults, especially on the EDC6.[1][2]

See the 4 of the EDC gearbox faults

Is the ZF 8HP gearbox reliable?

The ZF 8HP is an 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox, launched in 2008 in the BMW 7 Series and later adopted by BMW, Audi ('tiptronic'), Jaguar, Land Rover, Alfa Romeo and Jeep. It has a reputation for being reliable, although it accumulates jerking that sometimes calls for reprogramming the control unit, occasional mechatronic failures and leaks from the sump gaskets; the oil is sold as 'lifetime', but several garages advise changing it earlier.[3][4][5][6][7]

See the 3 of the ZF 8HP gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of EDC and ZF 8HP
EDCZF 8HP
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox typeDual-clutch: EDC6 (6-speed; DC4 dry clutch on engines under 250 Nm, or DW6 wet clutch on higher-torque engines) and EDC7 (7-speed, wet clutch, internal code DW5)Torque-converter automatic with planetary gearsets, 8-speed, longitudinal mounting
Productionsince 2010[1][8][9]since 2008[3]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults43
Of high or critical severity31
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: EDC gearbox overheating and safety neutral
  2. High severity: Control electronics fault: "check gearbox" warning and loss of gears
  3. Medium severity: Premature dry clutch wear and low-speed judder (EDC6/DC4)
  1. High severity: Mechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)
  2. Medium severity: Jerking and hesitation when changing gear, sometimes needing reprogramming
  3. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the gearbox gaskets or sump
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,100EDC gearbox overheating and safety neutralPublished figure[1][10]up to €3,500Mechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)Published figure[4]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • EDC6 (6-speed: DC4 dry or DW6 wet)[1][2]
  • EDC7 (7-speed, wet clutch, DW5)[2][10]
  • 1st generation (2008-2013)[4]
  • 3rd generation, with electrification (from 2018)[13]
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

EDC

See the 11 models with the EDC gearbox

ZF 8HP

See the 19 models with the ZF 8HP gearbox

Other comparisons

With the EDC gearbox

With the ZF 8HP gearbox

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

  1. Fiabilité de la boîte EDC : problèmes en série ?fiches-auto.fr · Technical documentation · published February 2020 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Essai Renault Scénic 4 dCi 110 EDC7 : le test du Scénic automatiqueL'Argus · Motoring press · published September 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. ZF 8HP transmissionWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. Fiabilité BMW Série 5 (2010-2016), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité BMW X5 (2013-2018), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Jaguar F-Pace, pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité BMW Série 1 (2011-2019), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Renault Scénic IIIWikipédia (fr) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Renault Clio IVWikipédia (fr) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. FACUA alerta de la llamada a revisión de los Renault Megane IV GT por un problema en la caja de cambiosFACUA · Consumer association · published 26 April 2017 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Fiabilité BMW X3 (2010-2017), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Fiabilité Audi A6 (2011-2018), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Fiabilité Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2013-2022), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French