PowerShift vs Opel M32: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Opel M32 gearbox carries less risk than the PowerShift gearbox: 39/100 (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 Opel M32 gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Wear and failure of the internal gearbox bearings».

Risk index

PowerShift

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

Opel M32

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202619 sources How 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 Opel M32 gearbox reliable?

The M32 is the six-speed manual gearbox that Opel fitted from 2004 to the Astra, Zafira, Corsa D, Meriva, Insignia, Vectra C, Mokka and Cascada. Its documented weak point is the bearings: the German press calls it "well known" for this and owners describe whistling in 5th and 6th before failure. The redesigns of 2012-2014 improved it, but did not fully cure it.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

See the 2 of the Opel M32 gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of PowerShift and Opel M32
Item	PowerShift	Opel M32
Technical data
Type	Gearbox	Gearbox
Gearbox type	Dual-clutch, 6-speed: dry DPS6/6DCT250 (around 250 Nm) or oil-bath 6DCT450 (up to about 450 Nm), depending on version	6-speed manual, transverse mounting
Production	2010–2023^[1][2][9]	since 2004^[4][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	72High risk	39Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	2
Of high or critical severity	3	1
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Juddering, hesitation and slipping of the dry clutch (DPS6) High severity: Clutch pressure plate breakage (2018 and 2019 recalls on the Focus and C-MAX) High severity: Accelerated wear of the wet clutch in the 6DCT450	High severity: Wear and failure of the internal gearbox bearings Medium severity: Hard second and reverse, until the gear will not engage
Most expensive documented repair	up to €2,800Accelerated wear of the wet clutch in the 6DCT450Published figure^[11]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	PowerShift DPS6 dry clutch, first generation (2011-2016)^[1][2] PowerShift DPS6 dry clutch, revised clutch (2016-2023)^[12] PowerShift 6DCT450 oil bath (2010-2023)^[3][11][13]	Original M32 (2004-2012)^{[5][14][15][16][17]} Later-series M32 (from late 2012)^[8][18][19]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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 12 models with the PowerShift gearbox

Opel M32

See the 10 models with the Opel M32 gearbox

Other comparisons

With the PowerShift gearbox

With the Opel M32 gearbox

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Sources

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

Ford Focus (third generation)Wikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 27 September 2026
Ford Fiesta (sixth generation)Wikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 27 September 2026
Ford Mondeo MK5 (2014-2022): Typische Probleme & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Buying guide or workshop · published 9 August 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
List of GM transmissionsWikipedia (en) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
Opel Astra H (A04) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 1 December 2024 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Opel Astra J – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 14 September 2024 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Opel Insignia A – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 5 January 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes de l'Opel Astra (2009-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
GetragWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 27 September 2026
Opel Astra HWikipedia (de) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Ford Kuga (Mk2, 2012-2019): Typische Probleme & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Buying guide or workshop · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Used Ford Fiesta (Mk7, 2017-2023) buyers guide: a solid second-hand superminiAuto Express · Motoring press · published 26 June 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
Ford S-Max: Typische Probleme & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Buying guide or workshop · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Zafira B – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 February 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Opel Corsa D (S07) – Schwachstellen & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 29 May 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Opel Meriva A – Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 29 January 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Opel Vectra C (2002-2008): Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 3 February 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Opel Cascada im Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 17 December 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Opel Cascada Probleme: Mängel, Schwachstellen und Krankheitencarwiki.de · Buying guide or workshop · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German