2016 Focus DPS6

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I recently purchased a 2016 Focus with 38000 miles on it. It has the DPS6 transmission in it.

After it's warmed up it started doing a shudder on the 1-2 shift. Long story short, my mechanic shared TSB 16-0109 with me.

Has anyone had this service performed? Looks like it's covered under the powertrain warranty, but I haven't reached out to my dealer about it.
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
We have done a ton of them. Even with a new clutch, module, and programming it gets fixed around 20% of the time.


They fixed our leased Focus 3 times. The issue always returned. I'm not sure they have an actual lasting fix for it. Shame because otherwise it was such a great commuter car.
 
Last summer , We were used car shopping . That transmission is exactly why I crossed the Focus off the list of cars to consider , Best I could determine , the Fusion did not use that transmission .

Ended up purchasing a 2006 Buick Lacrosse with 37,000 miles . Very glad I did . :)
 
Originally Posted By: HemiHawk
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
We have done a ton of them. Even with a new clutch, module, and programming it gets fixed around 20% of the time.


They fixed our leased Focus 3 times. The issue always returned. I'm not sure they have an actual lasting fix for it. Shame because otherwise it was such a great commuter car.


The permanent fix would be using an actual automatic transmission. I tell people looking at a newer Focus to get a manual.

The Fusion never used the Powershift transmission.
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
We have done a ton of them. Even with a new clutch, module, and programming it gets fixed around 20% of the time.


Thanks.

I was seeing rumblings of that searching around after the TSB was brought to my attention.

Have you seen any long term issues with these transmission?

It's also only an issue on light acceleration, is it mainly a matter of too much clutch slippage?

If it's covered under warranty, even if the odds are 20%, it's a free setup that returns me to "brand new."
 
Originally Posted By: HemiHawk
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
We have done a ton of them. Even with a new clutch, module, and programming it gets fixed around 20% of the time.


They fixed our leased Focus 3 times. The issue always returned. I'm not sure they have an actual lasting fix for it. Shame because otherwise it was such a great commuter car.


It definitely is. I'm already seeing fuel economy that rivals, beats my 2004 Neon with a stick. Even took the family for the weekend on a trip in it and returned 40mpg.
 
From what I understand, probably the only thing currently available that is worse than the PowerShift transmission is Nissan's CVT. Both are terrible and should be avoided. It's gotten less bad over time, and is being discontinued when they stop making the Focus and Fiesta and move production of the Focus to China. The manual transmission in that car is supposed to be great. Lots of info on PowerShift is available of Focus forums. This PowerShift transmission is one of the reasons why I still drive my 22 year old Escort with it's original F-4EAT automatic transmission even at around 248K miles.

Check out the pricing on transmission fluid for that car:
https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Ford-XT-11-QDC-Clutch-Transmission/dp/B00BNVK974/
Of course you only need 2 of these, and the aftermarket version is 1/2 the price.
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Originally Posted By: HemiHawk
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
We have done a ton of them. Even with a new clutch, module, and programming it gets fixed around 20% of the time.


They fixed our leased Focus 3 times. The issue always returned. I'm not sure they have an actual lasting fix for it. Shame because otherwise it was such a great commuter car.


The permanent fix would be using an actual automatic transmission. I tell people looking at a newer Focus to get a manual.

The Fusion never used the Powershift transmission.
Advice from the master !!!
 
Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Is it possible to swap in the regular 6-speed automatic from the 1.0T?


That's a good question. I don't have an answer, but it is a good question.
 
Originally Posted By: racer12306
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
We have done a ton of them. Even with a new clutch, module, and programming it gets fixed around 20% of the time.


Thanks.

I was seeing rumblings of that searching around after the TSB was brought to my attention.

Have you seen any long term issues with these transmission?

It's also only an issue on light acceleration, is it mainly a matter of too much clutch slippage?

If it's covered under warranty, even if the odds are 20%, it's a free setup that returns me to "brand new."


From what I have been able to gather it is mostly on acceleration. The clutch assembly does not tolerate any type of moisture well, being a dry clutch and all. To complicate matters Ford had issues with the input shaft seals leaking, which obviously did not help things any. It is pretty much like riding with someone learning to drive a manual transmission, once they get going it is ok. We have seen some need the actuators, a couple need internal work, and we have replaced a few at higher miles.
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Originally Posted By: racer12306
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
We have done a ton of them. Even with a new clutch, module, and programming it gets fixed around 20% of the time.


Thanks.

I was seeing rumblings of that searching around after the TSB was brought to my attention.

Have you seen any long term issues with these transmission?

It's also only an issue on light acceleration, is it mainly a matter of too much clutch slippage?

If it's covered under warranty, even if the odds are 20%, it's a free setup that returns me to "brand new."


From what I have been able to gather it is mostly on acceleration. The clutch assembly does not tolerate any type of moisture well, being a dry clutch and all. To complicate matters Ford had issues with the input shaft seals leaking, which obviously did not help things any. It is pretty much like riding with someone learning to drive a manual transmission, once they get going it is ok. We have seen some need the actuators, a couple need internal work, and we have replaced a few at higher miles.


Thanks. I appreciate your input.

Guess I made the wrong decision in buying a Focus, but it's mine now and it'll be driven until it's dead.

Now, when we're talking moisture, are we talking moisture you can see (such as the leaking input seal) or are we talking high humidity causes these problems.

Fortunately, my car doesn't see a lot of acceleration as it drives on the highway a lot.
 
Originally Posted By: racer12306
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Originally Posted By: racer12306
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
We have done a ton of them. Even with a new clutch, module, and programming it gets fixed around 20% of the time.


Thanks.

I was seeing rumblings of that searching around after the TSB was brought to my attention.

Have you seen any long term issues with these transmission?

It's also only an issue on light acceleration, is it mainly a matter of too much clutch slippage?

If it's covered under warranty, even if the odds are 20%, it's a free setup that returns me to "brand new."


From what I have been able to gather it is mostly on acceleration. The clutch assembly does not tolerate any type of moisture well, being a dry clutch and all. To complicate matters Ford had issues with the input shaft seals leaking, which obviously did not help things any. It is pretty much like riding with someone learning to drive a manual transmission, once they get going it is ok. We have seen some need the actuators, a couple need internal work, and we have replaced a few at higher miles.


Thanks. I appreciate your input.

Guess I made the wrong decision in buying a Focus, but it's mine now and it'll be driven until it's dead.

Now, when we're talking moisture, are we talking moisture you can see (such as the leaking input seal) or are we talking high humidity causes these problems.

Fortunately, my car doesn't see a lot of acceleration as it drives on the highway a lot.


Transmission fluid mostly.
 
Got a great price on a 14, then researched the PowerShi*t. Oops.

At 70k, it certainly likes to shudder and it's odd hearing all the clicking of the shift/clutch hardware. The bellhousing is dry so it's just going to get driven.

Otherwise it's a great car.
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Originally Posted By: racer12306
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal


From what I have been able to gather it is mostly on acceleration. The clutch assembly does not tolerate any type of moisture well, being a dry clutch and all. To complicate matters Ford had issues with the input shaft seals leaking, which obviously did not help things any. It is pretty much like riding with someone learning to drive a manual transmission, once they get going it is ok. We have seen some need the actuators, a couple need internal work, and we have replaced a few at higher miles.


Thanks. I appreciate your input.

Guess I made the wrong decision in buying a Focus, but it's mine now and it'll be driven until it's dead.

Now, when we're talking moisture, are we talking moisture you can see (such as the leaking input seal) or are we talking high humidity causes these problems.

Fortunately, my car doesn't see a lot of acceleration as it drives on the highway a lot.


Transmission fluid mostly.


Thanks. Really appreciate your insight. I knew I'd find someone here that works for Ford.


Once we get our van back I'll get in touch with the dealer and see if they're willing do anything. It's quite apparent the issue exists, maybe I'll be in the 20%.
 
After researching this issue on the internet , I came to the conclusion that it has / had turned into a huge oops for Ford . I have wondered if Ford ever came up with a true fix ?

I have seen you tube videos of people replacing the clutches and the seals . But I do not know if that really solved the problem , or not ?

Best of luck to you ! :)
 
So I put it off a while and about 2 weeks ago, the slipping/shudder became really obvious. It became more noticeable when making a turn and getting on the gas, also the "normal" 1-2 shift problem became much more noticeable where passengers were noticing it.

Since my OEM warranty runs out at 60k, I went ahead and gave the local dealer a call (Although I now see in the TSB info, I had much longer). Didn't even have to say much and the guy knew exactly what I was talking about and that it was all covered under warranty, scheduled the appointment and new clutch, seals, etc were installed yesterday.

Also got the 18S32 recall taken care of.

Really hoping I'm in the 20% and this isn't an issue again in 50000 miles, this thing looks expensive if I have to pay cash. Or if I'm one with a recurrent failure, hopefully it's before 100k miles.
 
This was a HUGE topic of conversation on the Focus forums when I bought my '12 Titanium. I got rid of it when the weird behavior started, which was before it was a widely known issue. It really is a shame, because it was a fantastic car otherwise. Decent power, great handling with the Titanium handling package. Good looking interior too. I liked it so much, I traded it for a '13 ST.

Last I read, the replacement seals were leaking like the factory originals and the software updates were hit-and-miss. Good luck with yours. Maybe you'll get lucky and the next fix will be your last.

f.JPG
 
June of 2017 we were looking at used cars . The Focus was among them . Then I began to read about the Dual Clutch Transmissionm problems . Forget that . Did Ford ever get the problem fixed permantly ?

Also looked at the Fusion , which I read had a traditional automatic transmission .

Ended up getting a low mileage used Buick Lacrosse . Much nicer car . We are pleased .
 
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