[NigelB]

Many garages are oblivious to the problem, so, least said soonest traded. . As to prevalence of failed cars,in the great scheme of things it probably isn't that many, but every one is a total PITA for the unfortunate owner.

 

[RonnieM]

ok thanks...had mine almost 8 years and it's been great, but was already thinking time to change in 2026. Do we know how prevalent this issue is, like what % of affected models are now conking out...will a garage take mine in p/x for example?

I would look at it like " I'm on borrowed time now" and would seriously consider moving it on now, you could be lucky and have no problem, but there again, your next drive could result in what you don't want

 

[Terrier50]

Many garages are oblivious to the problem, so, least said soonest traded. . As to prevalence of failed cars,in the great scheme of things it probably isn't that many, but every one is a total PITA for the unfortunate owner.

I'm trying a suppress the morbid fear of imminent disaster...and while not dismissing the fault I've been left stranded by sensors conking out on me and my battery going flat...I could drive into a ditch..or be hit by a truck...but the worm is now planted in my head..I'll buy a newer Kuga I think..any recommendations ??

 

[NigelB]

Any post 2016 car with a FULL service history

 

[blastersump]

I think 'uprated' gearbox is pie in the sky, I'm sure Keithmac would have uprated his instead of the gigantic task of fitting a euro 6 gearbox to a euro 5 engine.

 

[NigelB]

There are upgraded metal clutch followers available, the problem is that you have to completely strip the gearbox to check that there is zero damage to the plastic components before you attempt to fit them. One tiny piece of the plastic components can block an oilway.

 

[Terrier50]

so , forgive my ignorance, is the clutch oil/filter part of the regular service routine or just a check it's not leaking ?

. My engine oil /filter gets changed every year but never seen anything about the gearbox/clutch service schedules..which just refers to 'DCT check for leaks' but never has a tick in the box to say it's checked/relevant ..previously the service schedule also included 'DCT oil' and 'DCT filter' but they're not listed on recent service schedules now... and were never ticked anyway .....

 

[NigelB]

The Powershift transmission fluid and filter should be changed every three years or 35,000 miles whichever comes first. People skipped it because of the cost. That false economy is coming back to bite in a big way.

 

[KevKing]

The Powershift transmission fluid and filter should be changed every three years or 35,000 miles whichever comes first. People skipped it because of the cost. That false economy is coming back to bite in a big way.

Sadly my problem Kuga gearbox had its oil changed in accordance with guidelines, it has a full service history and only 50k miles on the clock and STILL the gearbox threw its hand in. I will NEVER buy another Ford, they just want rid of the problem, their after sales service is abysmal and sadly, due to the age of the cars, they are likely to get away with it.

 

[keithmac]

Sadly my problem Kuga gearbox had its oil changed in accordance with guidelines, it has a full service history and only 50k miles on the clock and STILL the gearbox threw its hand in. I will NEVER buy another Ford, they just want rid of the problem, their after sales service is abysmal and sadly, due to the age of the cars, they are likely to get away with it.

It really is shocking how they treat all the people with these failed gearboxes, and how long they kept fitting them to their new cars..

 

[johncam]

@davidjohn

We get what you are trying to suggest about repairs but the topic has been going on for years. Unless you have done the job yourself then you have no idea of what it takes to do the job and the labour costs involved.

A reconditioned gearbox is 4-5 grand fitted so that is the same price of what the car is worth. Even then a reconditioned gearbox comes with risks regardless of any warranty given on it.

I would suggest you try doing the job yourself just to see what's involved in taking it to bits and replacing the retaining clips and then taking the mechatronic unit apart to get all the plastic bits out of it. Then there are the valves that fail inside because of the plastic.

Its not something that can be done on the drive or the garage at home. You need specialist tools that cost a lot of money but im sure you know that.

Not trying to be funny and I get your point that anything can be fixed BUT the costs and time are not an option for the average person.

PS...... I do this for a living and its not as easy as you would like to think.

 

[keithmac]

Please let me know, I have found a specialist in Rayleigh, Essex but transporting the car will cost £800 plus around £3500 for a rebuild with guarantee. My gearbox has gone for a second time, and Ford France want 8000 euros to fix it after a simple diagnostic where they didn't even fully analyse the results! Well not fix it as they are so incompetent they can't, they just replace it with a new one. My options (I do like the car) are to get the box rebuilt and then sell it in part exchange at a dealer or just sell it for bits which is a shame. Anyone with any other advice (or the best course of action) please please let me know! Thanks

You won't get a new gearbox, it will be a "Remanufactured for Ford' gearbox which is just as bad as the one that has come out..

 

[Ozekuga]

so , forgive my ignorance, is the clutch oil/filter part of the regular service routine or just a check it's not leaking ?

. My engine oil /filter gets changed every year but never seen anything about the gearbox/clutch service schedules..which just refers to 'DCT check for leaks' but never has a tick in the box to say it's checked/relevant ..previously the service schedule also included 'DCT oil' and 'DCT filter' but they're not listed on recent service schedules now... and were never ticked anyway .....

The gearbox should be serviced as in oil & filter changed every 35,000 miles or 3 years which ever comes first.
Most owners think if they send their car in for a service the gearbox will be included, this isn't the case, it has to be requested by the owner and is expensive.
So it seems your car has never had a gearbox oil change, I would be car shopping this coming weekend.
If you buy a newer Kuga with the powershift gearbox, make sure the gearbox servicing is up to date it should be stated on the servicing record, not just the general service.

 

[smartguy69]

Sadly my problem Kuga gearbox had its oil changed in accordance with guidelines, it has a full service history and only 50k miles on the clock and STILL the gearbox threw its hand in. I will NEVER buy another Ford, they just want rid of the problem, their after sales service is abysmal and sadly, due to the age of the cars, they are likely to get away with it.

They did get away with it. Short warranties coupled with users doing low mileages, it was a few years before the problem raised it's head and 10 years ago social media wasn't as popular as it is today. Ford either knew the power limits of that gearbox or had numerous failures within warranty to change the gearbox to suit the euro 6 engine. It's only 17 BHP more.

It's interesting to see that Ford dropped the powershift name in favour of DCT, no doubt to avoid the stigma associated with the name.

 

[Plod]

They did get away with it. Short warranties coupled with users doing low mileages, it was a few years before the problem raised it's head and 10 years ago social media wasn't as popular as it is today. Ford either knew the power limits of that gearbox or had numerous failures within warranty to change the gearbox to suit the euro 6 engine. It's only 17 BHP more.

It's interesting to see that Ford dropped the powershift name in favour of DCT, no doubt to avoid the stigma associated with the name.

They’ve been getting away with it for years on numerous issues
I remember the mondoofus, the steering racks still had sand in them from when they were casted.
Ford knew about it but wouldn’t admit it
They would however contribute if you were lucky, to cost of new rack

I just drained my system, put fresh fluid in, plus Slick 50 p/s treatment
Ran better for many a year after

 

[Terrier50]

The gearbox should be serviced as in oil & filter changed every 35,000 miles or 3 years which ever comes first.
Most owners think if they send their car in for a service the gearbox will be included, this isn't the case, it has to be requested by the owner and is expensive.
So it seems your car has never had a gearbox oil change, I would be car shopping this coming weekend.
If you buy a newer Kuga with the powershift gearbox, make sure the gearbox servicing is up to date it should be stated on the servicing record, not just the general service.

I would never have known..i'm not much into car mechanics etc as such I admit, but my local garage has done every service/repair since I bought the car 2nd hand in 2018...he did the timing belt at 10 years old but never mentioned a gearbox service, that I can recall anyway. How long a job is it to do as a matter of interest ? As it is, it wouldn't have made much difference it seems. I'm already looking for a newer motor (as of yesterday)...I'm scheduled to drive to Italy next summer (daughters wedding) so this has become a priority now I guess..

 

[Terrier50]

It really is shocking how they treat all the people with these failed gearboxes, and how long they kept fitting them to their new cars..

has there ever been an attempt at a class action, there's always some solicitors who like to chase these things as a rule ?

 

[NigelB]

I would never have known..i'm not much into car mechanics etc as such I admit, but my local garage has done every service/repair since I bought the car 2nd hand in 2018...he did the timing belt at 10 years old but never mentioned a gearbox service, that I can recall anyway. How long a job is it to do as a matter of interest ? As it is, it wouldn't have made much difference it seems. I'm already looking for a newer motor (as of yesterday)...I'm scheduled to drive to Italy next summer (daughters wedding) so this has become a priority now I guess..

The gearbox drain and refill and a filter change is only a couple of hours it would also be an opportunity to check once the fluid is fully drained for any signs of debris. If any is found it's time to trade the car and get rid I am sorry to say. Every blessing for your daughter's wedding by the way.

 

[keithmac]

has there ever been an attempt at a class action, there's always some solicitors who like to chase these things as a rule ?

No, the Americans got the 6DCT250 (MPS6) dry clutch which is as bad as the 6DCT450, they managed to take Ford to court and had some settlement involving fixing their poor designs and extended warranties. I believe they didn't have to refund customers who paid to have these gearboxes repaired previously (which is unbelievable really).

Even now they are squirrelling out of warranty claims it seems.

Any one who's taken a 6DCT450 out on their drive knows what a task that is (not fun, subframe and power steering out etc), then you have to physically split the geabox to replace the internal filter and clean all the debris out of the box and Mechatronic unit.

They designed the gearbox so the main filter requires a complete gearbox strip, how daft is that!, almost as daft as their internal dual mass clutch damper design.

 

[KevKing]

@davidjohn

We get what you are trying to suggest about repairs but the topic has been going on for years. Unless you have done the job yourself then you have no idea of what it takes to do the job and the labour costs involved.

A reconditioned gearbox is 4-5 grand fitted so that is the same price of what the car is worth. Even then a reconditioned gearbox comes with risks regardless of any warranty given on it.

I would suggest you try doing the job yourself just to see what's involved in taking it to bits and replacing the retaining clips and then taking the mechatronic unit apart to get all the plastic bits out of it. Then there are the valves that fail inside because of the plastic.

Its not something that can be done on the drive or the garage at home. You need specialist tools that cost a lot of money but im sure you know that.

Not trying to be funny and I get your point that anything can be fixed BUT the costs and time are not an option for the average person.

PS...... I do this for a living and its not as easy as you would like to think.

If I thought I could do the job myself I would and I never said it was easy. And the reason I am on this forum is that I had no idea that this issue had been 'going on for years' or I obviously wouldn't have bought it in the first place. Thats why I have shopped around for options and for me it would be cheaper to transport the car to UK, get a recon box put in by a specialist which has quoted me £3500 and drive it back to the nearest dealer in France to chop it in for something else. Second hand car prices are much higher in France and I can get around 8-9000 euros for it in a part ex. If I really wanted to, and the thought had occurred, I can get a recon gearbox from Poland even cheaper and have it fitted locally...or dismantle it for parts, again higher prices here and time I have. The whole thing is just a s**t sandwich