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PowerShift vs ZF 6HP: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the ZF 6HP gearbox carries less risk than the PowerShift gearbox: 46/100 (moderate risk) versus 72/100 (high risk). The PowerShift gearbox has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Juddering, hesitation and slipping of the dry clutch (DPS6)»; the ZF 6HP gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Valve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearbox».

Risk index

PowerShift

72

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

ZF 6HP

46

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

14 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the PowerShift gearbox faults

Is the ZF 6HP gearbox reliable?

The ZF 6HP is the six-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox that ZF built between 2000 and 2014, fitted by BMW (Steptronic), Audi (tiptronic, in the A6 and A8 quattro), Jaguar and Land Rover, before handing over to the ZF 8HP. It has a reputation for lasting a lot of kilometres, but with age it accumulates jerking, valve body and mechatronic faults, leaks and a controversy over the "lifetime" oil, which several workshops advise changing earlier.[4][5][6][7][8]

See the 3 of the ZF 6HP gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of PowerShift and ZF 6HP
PowerShiftZF 6HP
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox typeDual-clutch, 6-speed: dry DPS6/6DCT250 (around 250 Nm) or oil-bath 6DCT450 (up to about 450 Nm), depending on versionTorque-converter automatic with Lepelletier planetary gear sets, 6-speed, longitudinal mounting
Production2010–2023[1][2][9]2000–2014[4]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)72High risk46Moderate risk
Documented faults43
Of high or critical severity31
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  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
  1. High severity: Valve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearbox
  2. Medium severity: Jerking and harsh shifts from converter wear and ageing oil
  3. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the sump or the gearbox seals
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,800Accelerated wear of the wet clutch in the 6DCT450Published figure[10]up to €10,000Valve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearboxPublished figure[6][7]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • PowerShift DPS6 dry clutch, first generation (2011-2016)[1][2]
  • PowerShift DPS6 dry clutch, revised clutch (2016-2023)[11]
  • PowerShift 6DCT450 oil bath (2010-2023)[3][10][12]
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

PowerShift

See the 11 models with the PowerShift gearbox

ZF 6HP

See the 10 models with the ZF 6HP gearbox

Other comparisons

With the PowerShift gearbox

With the ZF 6HP 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. Ford Focus (third generation)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Ford Fiesta (sixth generation)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. Ford Mondeo MK5 (2014-2022): Typische Probleme & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published 9 August 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. ZF 6HP transmissionWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Fiabilité BMW Série 5 (2003-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Audi A6 (2004-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Audi A8 (2002-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2005-2013), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. GetragWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Ford Kuga (Mk2, 2012-2019): Typische Probleme & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  11. Used Ford Fiesta (Mk7, 2017-2023) buyers guide: a solid second-hand superminiAuto Express · Motoring press · published 26 June 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Ford S-Max: Typische Probleme & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Jaguar XFWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  14. Fiabilité BMW X3 (2004-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French