Published
September 8, 2024
Updated
July 16, 2026
This settlement resolved claims that Ford’s DPS6 “PowerShift” dual-clutch transmission in the 2011–2016 Fiesta and 2012–2016 Focus shuddered, slipped, or failed. It is now closed — the court approved it in 2020 and the October 5, 2020 cash-claim deadline has passed. Here is what it covered.
What Was the Ford PowerShift Settlement?
This class action settlement resolved allegations that Ford’s DPS6 “PowerShift” dual-clutch automatic transmission was defective — plaintiffs alleged it caused shuddering, hesitation, slipping, and sudden loss of power in certain Fiesta and Focus vehicles. Ford denied the allegations and any wrongdoing. The case is Vargas, et al. v. Ford Motor Co., No. 2:12-cv-08388-AB, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.The court granted final approval on March 5, 2020, and the settlement’s effective date was April 7, 2020. It is now closed: the deadline to file for cash payments on repairs made on or before the effective date was October 5, 2020, later repairs had a rolling 180-day deadline, and the separate repurchase and arbitration window has closed for every covered 2011–2016 model year. There is nothing left to file.
Status
Settlement Closed
Final approval granted March 5, 2020; effective April 7, 2020.
Claim Deadline
Passed
Cash claims for pre-effective-date repairs were due October 5, 2020.
Covered Vehicles
Fiesta (2011–2016) & Focus (2012–2016)
Equipped with the DPS6 PowerShift dual-clutch transmission.
What It Provided
Cash by repair visits + repurchase track
Up to $2,325 cash (more as certificates) · $30M minimum cash guarantee.
Which Ford Vehicles Were Covered?
The settlement covered these vehicles equipped with the DPS6 PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission, purchased or leased in the United States:• 2011–2016 Ford Fiesta
• 2012–2016 Ford Focus
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What Benefits Did the Settlement Provide?
The relief scaled with how many times a class member had the transmission repaired, and included a separate buyback track:• Cash payments by repair visits: escalating amounts tied to the number of documented qualifying transmission repair visits, up to $2,325 in cash (or larger amounts taken as vehicle-discount certificates).
• Software-flash and denied-repair payments: smaller fixed payments for qualifying software “flash” repairs and a one-time payment for owners turned away by a Ford dealer.
• Repurchase / arbitration track: a breach-of-warranty arbitration path under which owners with persistent, unresolved transmission problems could seek a vehicle repurchase.
• Minimum cash guarantee: Ford guaranteed a minimum $30 million cash payout, with any residue redistributed to valid claimants or cy pres rather than reverting to Ford. The court valued the full settlement, including the repurchase component, at roughly $77 million.
Why Was the Lawsuit Filed?
The lawsuit alleged that the DPS6 PowerShift transmission was defective and that affected Fiesta and Focus vehicles experienced shuddering, hesitation, slipping, and loss of power. The plaintiffs brought claims for breach of warranty and violations of California consumer-protection statutes, among others. Ford denied the allegations and did not admit liability as part of the settlement.Key Dates
• Preliminary Approval: April 25, 2017• Final Approval: Granted March 5, 2020
• Effective Date: April 7, 2020
• Cash-Claim Deadline (pre-effective-date repairs): October 5, 2020 (passed)
• Later-Repair Claims: due 180 days after each qualifying repair (window closed)
Case Information
• Caption: Vargas, et al. v. Ford Motor Co.• Case No.: 2:12-cv-08388-AB
• Court: U.S. District Court, Central District of California
• Final Approval: Granted March 5, 2020
• Status: Closed — claim deadline passed October 5, 2020
Sources
- Official Settlement Website — Ford Transmission Settlement
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California — Vargas v. Ford Motor Co., No. 2:12-cv-08388-AB
- Berger Montague — Vargas v. Ford case page
- Public Citizen — Vargas v. Ford Motor Company case page
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Relief
Cash by repair visits (up to $2,325) + repurchase arbitration
Case Title
Vargas v. Ford Motor Co.
Case Number
2:12-cv-08388-AB
Court
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
Final Approval
Granted March 5, 2020
Status
Closed — claim deadline passed October 5, 2020
Official Website
Ford Transmission Settlement.com
