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AL4 / DP0 vs ZF 6HP: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the AL4 / DP0 gearbox carries less risk than the ZF 6HP gearbox: 25/100 versus 46/100 (both moderate risk). The AL4 / DP0 gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Degraded oil: harsh shifts, slipping and overheating»; 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

AL4 / DP0

25

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

ZF 6HP

46

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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 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.[1][2][3][4]

See the 2 of the AL4 / DP0 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.[5][6][7][8][9]

See the 3 of the ZF 6HP gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of AL4 / DP0 and ZF 6HP
AL4 / DP0ZF 6HP
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox type4-speed hydraulic automatic with electronic controlTorque-converter automatic with Lepelletier planetary gear sets, 6-speed, longitudinal mounting
Productionsince 1998[1][2]2000–2014[5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)25Moderate risk46Moderate risk
Documented faults23
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Degraded oil: harsh shifts, slipping and overheating
  2. Low severity: Jolt or sharp thud when engaging a gear from a standstill
  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 repairNo reliable dataup to €10,000Valve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearboxPublished figure[7][8]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
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

AL4 / DP0

See the 11 models with the AL4 / DP0 gearbox

ZF 6HP

See the 10 models with the ZF 6HP gearbox

Other comparisons

With the AL4 / DP0 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. Peugeot 406Wikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Peugeot 206Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. 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
  4. Síntomas de falta de aceite en una caja de cambios automáticaAutopista.es · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. ZF 6HP transmissionWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Fiabilité BMW Série 5 (2003-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Audi A6 (2004-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Fiabilité Audi A8 (2002-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité Land Rover Range Rover Sport (2005-2013), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Jaguar XFWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Fiabilité BMW X3 (2004-2010), pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French