Have I made an expensive mistake? S Max powershift...
Discussion
quinny100 said:
These sold in large numbers and whilst you do hear of faults, more often than not it’s Internet noise from someone who’s “heard” they’re bad. If you ask owners, you’ll hear plenty of people who haven’t had a problem with them. The Powershift brand was tainted early on by the dry clutch variants that were fitted to smaller engined Fords - these were totally different beats, prone to jerky changes and intermittent faults and are definitely best avoided.
It's totally anecdotal but on the Mondeo FB group I've *never* seen a post with a manual gearbox failure. Powershift issues crop up all the time. Still somewhat anecdotal (as it's very limited data) but a poll on the Mondeo FB group showed that incidents of failure were pretty high. Total of 119 votes.
For owners of the manual gearbox failure was 2% (2 owners from 92)
For owners of the powershift gearbox failure was 27% (6 owners from 22)
Obviously that means that 73% had no issues what so ever but that's still a very high number of failures (again however a very limited data set).
Personally not only do I dislike autos, it's more expensive, requiring regular oil changes, is less reliable and inevitably will require new clutches probably sooner and at a far higher price than a "normal" clutch.
I don't think you have. I had a Mondeo 2.0TDCI for just over 2 years with the powershift, I was quite happy with that gearbox. I had the 2.0TDCI 163PS, remapped it to around 185, never had an issue. The service at a ford dealer is expensive at around £270, but IMO you only read the horror stories online, not the good stories
The focus/fiesta powershift gearbox defo has problems and I would avoid.
The focus/fiesta powershift gearbox defo has problems and I would avoid.
Smint said:
Interesting the cost of oil being quoted @ £30 a litre.
Has anyone looked at what spec the oil is to see if there's a reputable equivalent available.
Some Toyota auto gearboxes incl on my Prado require what they call Toyota WS, which when investigated is actually Dexron 6 full synthetic auto transmission oil, which Millers (there will be others) make for a much more reasonable price.
Is there also some special technique required for the powershift service, like some Mercs where the oil has to be pumped in where only a suitably equipped workshop can carry out the service, or could the competent home mechanic DIY the Ford box service?
Fuchs Titan DCTF is almost identical when you compare the properties - It's what i used anyway. I'm sure I bought 6 litres but only used 5 in the end.Has anyone looked at what spec the oil is to see if there's a reputable equivalent available.
Some Toyota auto gearboxes incl on my Prado require what they call Toyota WS, which when investigated is actually Dexron 6 full synthetic auto transmission oil, which Millers (there will be others) make for a much more reasonable price.
Is there also some special technique required for the powershift service, like some Mercs where the oil has to be pumped in where only a suitably equipped workshop can carry out the service, or could the competent home mechanic DIY the Ford box service?
Filter was a genuine ford one.
Easy home mechanic job
I had a mondeo for many years. I’ve no comment to make on the gearbox: but I would say talk to Ford about a service plan. I paid £11 a month and got a service, mot done each year for free. Of course actual faults needed repair but in 80k miles I had none. Much maligned cars yet wonderfully vast and reliable.
With the service plan: discounts also on pets, labour etc. don’t assume an independent will be cheaper !!!
With the service plan: discounts also on pets, labour etc. don’t assume an independent will be cheaper !!!
The S max is a fantastic family car, pound for pound.
Really miss mine and have been looking for one (or a galaxy) recently in the same price range/age/miles as OP to run as a second car.
Decent ones seem to go fairly quicky, regardless of whether they are Powershift so if OP wants to to get rid then I can't see much of a loss at £7k/2014/52 k miles.
My experience - bought a 38 k mile/2012/S Max 163ps/powershift a few years back from an indie Ford specialist. Very tidy car but having done the research on Powershift I asked them to service the box as part of the deal and they obliged.
Ran the S Max for 3 years-ish and 35,000 miles with no issues whatsoever with the car or auto box.
Bought a Focus St as a replacement but really miss the boot space of the S max. I actually sold the Smax to a local dealer via ebay - he came and test drove it for 10 mins, very little comment on the Powershift, other than that Ford boxes tend to be better than those fitted in Volvo (no idea if true).
Only issue I did have with the S max - in the last few weeks of ownership - was with the blind for the panoramic roof - it wasn't working properly and was sagging - a quick google revealed no easy fix to this (£1000 ish for a new blind), though the dealer had it back up for sale within a week with the blind apparently fine again.
Really miss mine and have been looking for one (or a galaxy) recently in the same price range/age/miles as OP to run as a second car.
Decent ones seem to go fairly quicky, regardless of whether they are Powershift so if OP wants to to get rid then I can't see much of a loss at £7k/2014/52 k miles.
My experience - bought a 38 k mile/2012/S Max 163ps/powershift a few years back from an indie Ford specialist. Very tidy car but having done the research on Powershift I asked them to service the box as part of the deal and they obliged.
Ran the S Max for 3 years-ish and 35,000 miles with no issues whatsoever with the car or auto box.
Bought a Focus St as a replacement but really miss the boot space of the S max. I actually sold the Smax to a local dealer via ebay - he came and test drove it for 10 mins, very little comment on the Powershift, other than that Ford boxes tend to be better than those fitted in Volvo (no idea if true).
Only issue I did have with the S max - in the last few weeks of ownership - was with the blind for the panoramic roof - it wasn't working properly and was sagging - a quick google revealed no easy fix to this (£1000 ish for a new blind), though the dealer had it back up for sale within a week with the blind apparently fine again.
The internet can fill you with fear about any car you buy. Powershift boxes break more than manual boxes I'm sure, but maintain it and you've got every chance of it being trouble free.
I was in a minicab with 250k miles on the clock with a powershift and the chap told me it'd give him no bother at all.
I was in a minicab with 250k miles on the clock with a powershift and the chap told me it'd give him no bother at all.
rallycross said:
littlebasher said:
Fuchs Titan DCTF is almost identical when you compare the properties - It's what i used anyway. I'm sure I bought 6 litres but only used 5 in the end.
Filter was a genuine ford one.
Easy home mechanic job
6.5 litresFilter was a genuine ford one.
Easy home mechanic job
From Ford it’s £199 for the oil.
I'm impressed I've generated a three page discussion on a gearbox! Loads more useful bits of info, thanks all 
Really reassuring to hear lots more good news stories.
So I am hanging on to it and giving it a chance. Gearbox oil change booked in with my usual garage for £335 and he assures me it's uses ford supplied oil and filter- still pricey but the cheapest I've found yet and I trust the guy. Ford nearly £100 more and nothing to say whoever does the work would be any good.
Dog guard and boot liner sourced on FB marketplace for a fraction of the new price so it's nearly ready to go!
I have signed up for a 36 month warranty too- the small print seems fine and should the worst happen a hefty chunk towards a repair.
Really reassuring to hear lots more good news stories. So I am hanging on to it and giving it a chance. Gearbox oil change booked in with my usual garage for £335 and he assures me it's uses ford supplied oil and filter- still pricey but the cheapest I've found yet and I trust the guy. Ford nearly £100 more and nothing to say whoever does the work would be any good.
Dog guard and boot liner sourced on FB marketplace for a fraction of the new price so it's nearly ready to go!
I have signed up for a 36 month warranty too- the small print seems fine and should the worst happen a hefty chunk towards a repair.
Hi guys, I'm a new poster here and about to buy an S-Max for a growing family. We're bound to petrol vs. diesel and would ideally like automatic, not manual...
I was wondering if anyone can tell me if this is a powershift model?
I can't post a link or an image, so I can say it's listed as 'Ford S-Max 2.0 P Turbo Titanium Sport 240 BHP Auto' and the plate is EJ65 HWP.
Or am I missing a trick and is there no petrol non-powershift automatic?
Thanks in advance
I was wondering if anyone can tell me if this is a powershift model?
I can't post a link or an image, so I can say it's listed as 'Ford S-Max 2.0 P Turbo Titanium Sport 240 BHP Auto' and the plate is EJ65 HWP.
Or am I missing a trick and is there no petrol non-powershift automatic?
Thanks in advance
Your car is the newer model powershift which is much less likely to fail ( I sell lots of smax models and won’t buy powershift)
These newer ones are better but be aware they are starting to fail with age and miles ( I know this from a couple of Ford tech main dealers I know).
So it should be fine but worth having some warranty cover that covers the auto box and make sure it gets its shceduked gear oil changes which is something like every 40k check if it’s been done if not get it changed.
These newer ones are better but be aware they are starting to fail with age and miles ( I know this from a couple of Ford tech main dealers I know).
So it should be fine but worth having some warranty cover that covers the auto box and make sure it gets its shceduked gear oil changes which is something like every 40k check if it’s been done if not get it changed.
MA8131 said:
Hi guys, I'm a new poster here and about to buy an S-Max for a growing family. We're bound to petrol vs. diesel and would ideally like automatic, not manual...
I was wondering if anyone can tell me if this is a powershift model?
I can't post a link or an image, so I can say it's listed as 'Ford S-Max 2.0 P Turbo Titanium Sport 240 BHP Auto' and the plate is EJ65 HWP.
Or am I missing a trick and is there no petrol non-powershift automatic?
Thanks in advance
This poster (above) seems to know what they're talking about, I think this answers your question:I was wondering if anyone can tell me if this is a powershift model?
I can't post a link or an image, so I can say it's listed as 'Ford S-Max 2.0 P Turbo Titanium Sport 240 BHP Auto' and the plate is EJ65 HWP.
Or am I missing a trick and is there no petrol non-powershift automatic?
Thanks in advance
rallycross said:
If you want a facelift smax auto (July 2010 to 2016) then all 2.0 auto models are powershift . All 2.0 petrol this age are Powershift ford didn’t offer 2.0 petrol manual during that period.
To avoid powershift find a 2,2 tdci auto or go for mk1 smax pre July 2010.
To avoid powershift find a 2,2 tdci auto or go for mk1 smax pre July 2010.
Yes so long as it’s the mk2 shape should be fine avoid any petrol smax models from July 2010 to 2015 as they are all powershift and the engines are also inreliable especially the 240 bhp models - I’m talking about the face lift shape like below not the mk2
Rounder shape smax ( which is a fantastic 7 seater drives like a hatch back but has so much space and practicality being 7 seats)
Rounder shape smax ( which is a fantastic 7 seater drives like a hatch back but has so much space and practicality being 7 seats)
To update.....
Gearbox has failed 5k into my ownership. Car only has 57k on it now and had the box serviced 5k ago.
Will be a £3k repair which I am hoping the warranty will largely cover
Car felt fine until last week when it started juddering on pulling away. They lost all bar two years and a limited transmission warning. Turned on and off and it cleared until today when it failed altogether and left me stranded.
Anyone finding this thread and contemplating buying a powershift car- don't! Whilst you'll see optimistic posts where people say theirs has done 150k etc, I think most will fail at some point.
Gearbox has failed 5k into my ownership. Car only has 57k on it now and had the box serviced 5k ago.
Will be a £3k repair which I am hoping the warranty will largely cover
Car felt fine until last week when it started juddering on pulling away. They lost all bar two years and a limited transmission warning. Turned on and off and it cleared until today when it failed altogether and left me stranded.
Anyone finding this thread and contemplating buying a powershift car- don't! Whilst you'll see optimistic posts where people say theirs has done 150k etc, I think most will fail at some point.
TT86 said:
To update.....
Gearbox has failed 5k into my ownership. Car only has 57k on it now and had the box serviced 5k ago.
Will be a £3k repair which I am hoping the warranty will largely cover
Car felt fine until last week when it started juddering on pulling away. They lost all bar two years and a limited transmission warning. Turned on and off and it cleared until today when it failed altogether and left me stranded.
Anyone finding this thread and contemplating buying a powershift car- don't! Whilst you'll see optimistic posts where people say theirs has done 150k etc, I think most will fail at some point.
Did the warranty cover the gearbox ok? Gearbox has failed 5k into my ownership. Car only has 57k on it now and had the box serviced 5k ago.
Will be a £3k repair which I am hoping the warranty will largely cover
Car felt fine until last week when it started juddering on pulling away. They lost all bar two years and a limited transmission warning. Turned on and off and it cleared until today when it failed altogether and left me stranded.
Anyone finding this thread and contemplating buying a powershift car- don't! Whilst you'll see optimistic posts where people say theirs has done 150k etc, I think most will fail at some point.
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