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PowerShift vs 7G-DCT: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 7G-DCT gearbox carries less risk than the PowerShift gearbox: 36/100 (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 7G-DCT gearbox has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Incorrect oil level in the 7G-DCT: December 2020 campaign».

Risk index

PowerShift

72

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

7G-DCT

36

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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 7G-DCT gearbox reliable?

The 7G-DCT is Mercedes-Benz's first dual-clutch gearbox: it has been fitted since 2012 to the A-Class (W176), B-Class (W246), CLA (C117) and GLA (X156); since 2018 its 8-speed evolution, the 8G-DCT, has been used in the second generation of those models (W177, W247, C118, H247). Owners report jerks when cold, clutch wear and, in a few cases, electronic faults with limp mode; there was a service campaign over an incorrect oil level on 2018-2020 units.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 7G-DCT gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of PowerShift and 7G-DCT
PowerShift7G-DCT
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 versionDual-clutch, 7-speed (7G-DCT) or 8-speed (8G-DCT)
Production2010–2023[1][2][8]since 2012[4][5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)72High risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity32
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: Incorrect oil level in the 7G-DCT: December 2020 campaign
  2. High severity: Mechatronics or control unit failure: limp mode and loss of gears
  3. Medium severity: Jerks and hesitation when pulling away or manoeuvring at low speed
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,800Accelerated wear of the wet clutch in the 6DCT450Published figure[9]No reliable data
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)[10]
  • PowerShift 6DCT450 oil bath (2010-2023)[3][9][11]
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

7G-DCT

See the 8 models with the 7G-DCT gearbox

Other comparisons

With the PowerShift gearbox

With the 7G-DCT 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. Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W177)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Fiabilité Mercedes Classe A (2018) - pannesFiches-auto.fr · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Mercedes A-Klasse W177 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published April 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. GetragWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Ford Kuga (Mk2, 2012-2019): Typische Probleme & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Used Ford Fiesta (Mk7, 2017-2023) buyers guide: a solid second-hand superminiAuto Express · Motoring press · published 26 June 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Ford S-Max: Typische Probleme & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  12. Fiabilité Mercedes Classe A (2012-2017) - pannesFiches-auto.fr · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Fiabilité Mercedes CLA (2013-2019) - pannesFiches-auto.fr · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Fiabilité Mercedes GLA (2013-2019) - pannesFiches-auto.fr · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French