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MotorFiable

PowerShift vs AL4 / DP0: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the AL4 / DP0 gearbox carries less risk than the PowerShift gearbox: 25/100 (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 AL4 / DP0 gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Degraded oil: harsh shifts, slipping and overheating».

Risk index

PowerShift

72

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

AL4 / DP0

25

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

11 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 AL4 / DP0 gearbox reliable?

The AL4 (Peugeot and Citroën) and the DP0 (Renault) are the same 4-speed automatic gearbox, developed jointly by both groups and presented in 1998 to replace the old ZF 4HP20. It was fitted for more than a decade across much of both manufacturers' compact and mid-size ranges. As with any automatic gearbox, degraded oil or a low oil level causes harsh shifts and slipping.[4][5][6][7]

See the 2 of the AL4 / DP0 gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of PowerShift and AL4 / DP0
PowerShiftAL4 / DP0
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 version4-speed hydraulic automatic with electronic control
Production2010–2023[1][2][8]since 1998[4][5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)72High risk25Moderate risk
Documented faults42
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: Degraded oil: harsh shifts, slipping and overheating
  2. Low severity: Jolt or sharp thud when engaging a gear from a standstill
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

AL4 / DP0

See the 11 models with the AL4 / DP0 gearbox

Other comparisons

With the PowerShift gearbox

With the AL4 / DP0 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. Peugeot 406Wikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Peugeot 206Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. El aceite de la caja de cambios automática que el fabricante no cambia: evita una avería de 3.000 eurosMotor16 · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Síntomas de falta de aceite en una caja de cambios automáticaAutopista.es · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  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