I'm thinking of buying a Ford Galaxy 2013 Titanium X 2.0 Diesel Power shift.

I've done my research and obviously come across the whole ford transmission problems and lawsuits specifically with the power shift.

 

However I'm a little confused. I thought the problems were with "dry" power shifts that are on the smaller cars and that the ford galaxy is fitted with a wet clutch transmission and therefore isn't subject to the same issues.

 

However, looking at this forum suggests many people have had issues with their gearbox and not being able to drive and being quoted up to 5k to fix. For it to only come back 10k-30k miles later.

 

Is it just recommended not to get the MK3 with auto? Instead opting for the MK4?

 

I really like the features of the MK3. The handbrake. I like a pull handbreak rather than electric pull up. I also like the pano roof in the titanium X specifically in the 2010-2015 versions rather the full panel beyond 2015.

 

 

I agree that the dry clutch models caused the massive legal issues 

The wet clutch Powershift transmission (as on your model?) doesn't seem to be as troublesome (at least for us!) Ours is fine but have had it from 6 months old. All the oil and filter changes were done and we are not vicious drivers but do tow a large caravan for about a fifth of our annual 9k mileage.

At 116k we are watching for any signs of plastics in the oil (checked yearly) and have a company in mind who gives 2 year  warranty on reconditioning. As we really like the car, we'd consider the cost rather than changing it (can't see anything else we would even consider, S-MAX)

I'll wait for the chorus of disapproval and disasters!

Don't know if this helps, or not!

2 hours ago, Shearers said:

I agree that the dry clutch models caused the massive legal issues 

The wet clutch Powershift transmission (as on your model?) doesn't seem to be as troublesome (at least for us!) Ours is fine but have had it from 6 months old. All the oil and filter changes were done and we are not vicious drivers but do tow a large caravan for about a fifth of our annual 9k mileage.

At 116k we are watching for any signs of plastics in the oil (checked yearly) and have a company in mind who gives 2 year  warranty on reconditioning. As we really like the car, we'd consider the cost rather than changing it (can't see anything else we would even consider, S-MAX)

I'll wait for the chorus of disapproval and disasters!

Don't know if this helps, or not!

I appreciate the response! I love the ford galaxy as well and it suits our needs perfectly. I just dislike the new innovations the newer versions come with and they are a tad out of my price range.

 

Reassuring to know you've been towing with it and it hasn't given up the goose yet. I'm trying to do some research but I can't tell if the people posting on this forum are the minority with the wet clutch showing similar issues to the dry or if it's more of a known problem and basically will eventually happen to every owner.

 

I obviously can't get my hands on a new one with the old spec and make sure the gearbox has been serviced but from my purchase it would be vigorously serviced to probably more regular than recommended

HTH...AFAIK all bigger models (i.e. Mondeo, Galaxy, S-MAX) would have the wet clutches so unless I'm wrong that would clarify some comments (or you could PM anyone where its not clear?)
If your purchase is from a dealer, I'd expect a warranty if it's less than 6 months, how confident are they?  Make sure it covers the parts you would baulk at fixing? If private how trustworthy, what records, does it seem cared for, Why are they selling, buyer beware?

I'd ask for a service history (if none, this would be a worry unless the price was cheaper than market by quite a bit?) and check for gearbox oil & filter changes and certainly change it myself early (before warranty runs out?) checking oil for cleanliness and especially any bits of plastic plus rip the filter apart (See picture) to look for a smooth black paste only?
The oil should only be slightly discoloured and I keep a jam jar full to see if anything settles out in time.
Oil and filter from e-Bay: Westway, £90, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112436788478 since paying silly price during warranty.

Obviously full road test in normal, sport and manual positions, changes should be almost imperceptible with no jerking, especially drive on/off, smooth from standing start, no juddering. It's not a  torque converter but we find it super smooth.

Check for any leaks, especially at the pipes for the cooler and the filter and normal driveshaft seals and gearbox/engine. I don't know how to tell where leaks there are from but, if engine stop leak reduces it then that would help. If it's from gearbox or excessive, that would be a major fault to me as expensive? We have used 2 x half tins of engine stop leak over the years and only very minor drips at present.

Acceleration should be positive, again with no obvious slipping or jerking/juddering OR get a specialist to test it for you to see if any issues, of course there should be no fault codes (Forscan)

All of that is just me and I'm hoping others come along with their views and anything else to test...

Taking a look at potentially avoiding the power shift models all together and possibly taking a look at the automatic 2.0 2009 which doesn't have it.

@DaveT70 sorry about the ping but I've been led to believe your sort of an expert on these sort things.

 

Would you recommend the 2009 transmission over the power shift models 2010-2015? With lowish mileage 70-80k and full service history.

 

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of information on the internet about the ford galaxy 2009 automatic, whether the gearbox is reliable and whether there are any other issues that I might not be aware of.

 

 

The Aisin is much more reliable, just make sure there's no clunks and bang when hot.

If it's done high mileage and never had the fluid changed, I wouldn't bother