DCT Complaints Thread

[BetaDnB]

Originally Posted by jagreene

So you're complaining about people writing on unrelated threads.... I get that. But you took the time to write on my thread that has the word "problems" in the title about how I shouldn't share my story in a new thread of my own.

Oh, that?

Originally Posted by BetaDnB

My question is why is this on a public forum to begin with? This seems like a problem between a customer and service provider that's being dragged out for the public to see. We all know we don't need another DCT problem thread around here.

I didn't say you shouldn't share your story. Maybe based on my views of how that thread was looking, but I was "corrected" as to what your thread is about. Carry on.

Originally Posted by jagreene

I think it's safe to assume people who don't always use this forum would figure a new thread would be seen by people and an old thread wouldn't. Plus who wants to sift through 99 pages of all sorts of different conversations when they can start their own? I don't see you complaining about the people who write new "my Sync doesn't work" threads. There are plenty of those.

ALL forums have a search feature. EVERYBODY know how to use internet searches. The Sync threads don't pop up like the DCT threads.

Originally Posted by jagreene

Almost everyone who has posted on this thread is LUCKY enough to have their BIGGEST problem be that it's annoying to hear about the DCT issues. Just be happy that you don't have any.

I don't have any because I don't have a DCT. I've always preferred 3 pedals.

Originally Posted by jagreene

I mean it's not easy for some of us to get help, and this forum has helped a lot of people get somewhere. So if you are so happy with your car and don't want to know anymore about the real transmission problems how about this? DON'T READ ANY threads that say anything about "problems" "transmissions" etc... and you won't have to be annoyed.

Let me just point out something real quick...

Originally Posted by BetaDnB

Do it here. Stop flooding threads that have nothing to do with DCT or transmissions in general with the complaints. We all know a lot of you have problems without it being brought up everywhere, every second, of every day.

Originally Posted by jagreene

It's so disheartening that you take it to a nasty level. You can say what you want... but my car DOES have a problem and the clutch IS being replaced after one year of ownership and only 12k miles. So seriously, have respect for people and some compassion... jeez.

I'm not being nasty one bit. I opened a central thread for people to air their DCT complaints. I don't understand how that's nasty or disrespectful. I thought it would be helpful to consolidate, but for some reason everybody's taking offense to it.

[TboneZX3]

Originally Posted by kam327

Don't be surprised if the DCT clutches are changed in some way for '14.

It certainly won't be a surprise. They've already updated the clutch pack once in 2011 (long-shoulder rivets), and there appear to still be issues.

[BetaDnB]

Now if the thread would just be used for it's intended purpose instead of to bitch about the thread itself, it would be more helpful.

[jagreene]

Originally Posted by BetaDnB

Now if the thread would just be used for it's intended purpose instead of to bitch about the thread itself, it would be more helpful.

Fair enough...

[kam327]

In support of those with issues, take a look at all complaints received by the NHTSA. Each brand and model should have equal chance of being complained about there. Take a look at all the powertrain complaints for the Focus. It's more than most other cars' total complaints, and is a far greater percentage of total complaints than any other car at more than a third.

Looking through the actual powertrain complaints, I count roughly 70% of them specifically mention the typical DCT complaints you hear about on here; shuddering, bucking, lunging, poor shift quality, engine bogging down in turns, etc.

I ignored complaints about hill roll back since I'm on the side of that not being a case of poor implementation on Ford's part. It is what it is.

I noted the cars that were in their first model year for more direct comparison.

Notice the Veloster, also with a DCT, has negligible powertrain complaints.

Complaints
Total Powertrain
2011 Jetta 164 19 1MY
2012 Focus 153 56 1MY
2011 Cruze 143 30 1MY
2010 Mazda3 93 13 1MY
2012 Civic 58 13 1MY
2012 Cruze 55 9
2011 Elantra 40 3 1MY
2012 Jetta 40 5
2012 Veloster 40 3 1MY
2012 Elantra 33 5
2012 Mazda3 10 3 1MY w/ Skyactive

Sorry, formatting wasn't the same as when i was writing the post. The first number after each model name is total complaints and the second number is complaints specifically about the powertrain which of course includes the transmission.

[MyThIc3LiTe]

Originally Posted by kam327

So you're the type that has a couple of early bad experiences and then swears something off forever. CVTs seem to be steadily getting better. The new Altima's and Accord's CVTs are getting relatively well reviewed. And all while delivering the same mileage as our Focus despite them being larger, heavier, and more powerful. I still prefer a well-performing DCT or TQ tranny, but the days of widespread CVT bashing may be coming to a close....

My rental for almost 3 weeks was a CVT equipped car.

I honestly got so pissed off at it that yes, I might be biased against ever using one again.

I know Nissan makes a...better CVT, but personally I'd rather have a well performing slushbox.

As good as CVTs may be getting, They don't hold a candle to the 7 and 8 speed auto boxes now being used, they just don't feel the same and not in a good way.

But my opinion of a cvt will probably remain soured since I've tasted the sweetness that is a DCT and a MT.

[kam327]

Originally Posted by MyThIc3LiTe

My rental for almost 3 weeks was a CVT equipped car...

I hear ya. I've had 3 or 4 CVT rentals in the past couple years. The worst was a Jeep Patriot. Also drove a Sentra and Altima with them. I understand the latest generation CVT is much better - even mimicing shift points to some extent. Hopefully the DCT follows the same developmental improvement path to become bulletproof no matter how incompetent the driver is.

[BetaDnB]

I've driven one CVT ever. It was my sister's Sentra about 3 years ago. I just found it odd. There were no shift point mimic. It was like an electric golf cart.

[MyThIc3LiTe]

Originally Posted by kam327

I hear ya. I've had 3 or 4 CVT rentals in the past couple years. The worst was a Jeep Patriot. Also drove a Sentra and Altima with them. I understand the latest generation CVT is much better - even mimicing shift points to some extent. Hopefully the DCT follows the same developmental improvement path to become bulletproof no matter how incompetent the driver is.

It's the lack of noticeable shift points that annoyed me. The constant revving and general drone was very odd

[kam327]

Originally Posted by BetaDnB

I've driven one CVT ever. It was my sister's Sentra about 3 years ago. I just found it odd. There were no shift point mimic. It was like an electric golf cart.

Originally Posted by MyThIc3LiTe

It's the lack of noticeable shift points that annoyed me. The constant revving and general drone was very odd

I agree. But google "cvt mimic shift point" and you'll see that most of the current CVTs seem to do this to improve "feel."

Car and Driver's 1st Drive review of the Accord says most of the traditional CVT complaints don't apply, you generally don't notice the CVT and it's finally one you can live with.

I'm not a CVT proponent, just sayin' don't complete count them out just yet.