Car Model Guide/ Issues/ PowerShift dry-clutch shudder (automatic cars)

PowerShift dry-clutch shudder (automatic cars)

Attaches to B299 at chassis level · Transmission · carried by 3 variants across 1 chassis

Overview

PowerShift dry-clutch shudder (automatic cars) is a common fault recorded against B299 at chassis level, typically from 60–140k km. It shows up as shuddering as the car pulls away, jerky low-speed shifts, and a warning or a refusal to select a gear in later stages. Where it's documented, the repair runs €900–€2,200 (clutch pack or control module at a specialist, costs dated 2026-07), and it can be checked before you buy. 3 variants across 1 chassis in this database inherit it.

€900 – €2,200
clutch pack or control module at a specialist · costs dated
Likelihoodcommon
Typical onset60–140k km
Detectableyes
Walk awayno
Evidencemanufacturer

What happens

Symptom. Shuddering as the car pulls away, jerky low-speed shifts, and a warning or a refusal to select a gear in later stages.

Cause. The dry dual-clutch unit fitted to automatic cars wears its clutch pack and its control module, and both were the subject of extended warranty and service programmes. Manual cars are unaffected, so this only matters if the car in front of you is an automatic.

Sources. Ford extended warranty and service programmes covering the dry dual-clutch transmission

How to check it

On the drive

On an automatic, drive slowly through a car park feeling for shudder as it takes up drive, then ask what clutch or module work has been done. On a manual there's nothing here to check.

Include low-speed manoeuvring, not just an open road.

TransmissioncommonDetectable at viewingevidence: manufacturer60140k km

Every variant that carries this

VariantChassisBodyYearsRiskGood buyCost as % of good buy
1.0 EcoBoost M1DAB299hatchback2012–2017R4€6,40024%
1.25 Duratec STJAB299hatchback2008–2017R1€4,20037%
1.6 TDCi T1DAB299hatchback2008–2017R3€4,70033%

The last column is the point. The same repair is an inconvenience on one variant and a reason to scrap the car on another. A failure costing a quarter of the vehicle's value changes the purchase decision regardless of how rare it is.