I’m dealing with some serious shifting ‘shudders’ on my 2018 Ford Focus SE that has the dual-clutch transmission (DCT). It’s got 64,000 miles on it now, and the clutch had some work done (not sure if it was fully replaced or refurbished) around 48,000 miles.
The problem is, I still owe $12,000 on this car and have about 38 months left on the loan. I don’t have the funds to pay for another ‘fix’ on this transmission, especially since I’m skeptical it would be a real solution.
Trading it in sounds risky since I’m way upside down on the loan.
Just hoping for some advice or guidance on what my options might be. Thanks in advance!
Honestly, fixing any car costs something, whether it’s cash, time, or effort. If you’re not seeing any check engine light or fault codes, it could just be a matter of regular maintenance. For DCT issues, sometimes cleaning and lubricating the external clutch actuators and shift forks can help. Dirt and clutch dust build up over time and cause sticking.
Without more details, though, it’s hard to say. If there’s internal damage, you could be looking at bigger repairs. And who knows what they actually did at 48k—might’ve only replaced one part, so something else could’ve gone wrong since.
@Denver
I’m debating if it’s smarter to try fixing it or just look at getting a different vehicle and dealing with the leftover loan balance. Either way, I know it’ll cost. No check engine light right now.
I’ll check back with the dealership on what exactly they did at 48k to see if I can get any clarity.
@Ezri
Just keep in mind that any ‘fix’ is only temporary with these DCTs. It’s a design flaw that wears out new parts too quickly. There’s no permanent solution.
Remington said: @Ezri
Just keep in mind that any ‘fix’ is only temporary with these DCTs. It’s a design flaw that wears out new parts too quickly. There’s no permanent solution.
Yeah, I’m starting to accept that. Wish I’d known more before buying. Research really is key…
Addison said:
If it shudders without a check engine light, it’s probably the clutch. You either pay to fix it or live with it.
How long does a clutch fix usually last?
Depends on driving style and conditions. Heavy stop-and-go traffic or hot weather can wear it down faster. Also, if you drive it like a regular automatic, it’ll wear out quicker. Try giving it a little more space and use the gas only when needed instead of letting it ‘creep’ along. With the right habits, you could get over 100k miles.
@Addison
Thanks, that’s helpful. I’ve read about leaving more space and avoiding creeping at lights. I had no idea my transmission wasn’t a true automatic, so I probably haven’t been helping the situation.
Not suggesting anything illegal, but if you have full coverage insurance, sometimes hitting a deer or something can get you out of a tough loan situation. Make sure you have gap insurance just in case, so you’re covered for the difference. If you sell it, you’re looking at maybe $5k-$10k value.
@Sloane
No gap insurance for me, unfortunately. Adding it now would probably look suspicious. Glad you got out of your loan that way, though, and hope you weren’t hurt.
Ezri said: @Sloane
No gap insurance for me, unfortunately. Adding it now would probably look suspicious. Glad you got out of your loan that way, though, and hope you weren’t hurt.
My wife got a cut on her eyebrow from the keys, but I was fine. Only the knee airbag deployed.