Ford Exec Goes Undercover To Fix Transmission In Flint Woman’s Fiesta

Automotive news media have been buzzing for a long time about the investigation and scandalous details around the Ford Powershift transmission case. Not long ago, this story has got an unexpected twist. Michelle Hughes, one of thousands of unlucky owners of Ford Fiesta equipped with a defective Powershift transmission, was visited by two Ford technicians who wanted to check her car and provide free-of-charge repair services if needed. At first sight, it seemed absolutely normal, but later it emerged that one of the technicians was Ford’s top manager who for some reason didn’t use his real name and position in the company during the meeting with Ms. Hughes.

The thing is that Michelle Hughes previously shared her thoughts about the Powershift transmission issues in her Fiesta in the interview to Detroit Free Press. After some time, she received a call from Christopher Kwasniewicz, a real name of Ford powertrain quality management, who introduced himself as Chris Kwas and they agreed to meet to take a look at her car. It is interesting to point out that during the conversation Mr “Kwas” several times asked Ms. Hughes whether she had a lawyer (actually she didn’t). Apart from that, it was great news for Ms. Hughes, as the powertrain warranty for her car had expired.

On the appointed date, two casually dressed men came to visit Ms. Hughes to inspect her car, and the transmission unit in particular. Ms. Hughes welcomed her guests and let them check her car. Both men took a look under the hood of the 2012 Fiesta, made several pictures, and performed some diagnostics. Then, Mr “Kwas” told Ms. Hughes that her warranty will be extended, as there must have been some mistake with warranty dates for her car.

Christopher Kwasniewicz (nicknamed as Chris Kwas) actually worked as a systems manager for the DPS6 transmission from 2013-16. As a head of the powertrain quality department, he is responsible for supervision over a team of engineers specialized in detection of technical issues at assembly facilities. The second person, Jerry Cannon, is a transmission expert who specializes in the Powershift transmission diagnostics.

Jerry Cannon (left) and Christopher Kwasniewicz (right) inspect the 2012 Ford Fiesta

After the car examination, Mr. Kwasniewicz said that they should drive to the dealer center to replace the TCM module. A Ford executive asked Ms. Hughes to get behind the wheel to see how she drives. On their way to the dealership Ms. Hughes was a bit surprised that both men didn’t talk with each other, as real co-workers usually do. At the dealer center everything went smoothly and the defect was eliminated. On the way back, Mr. Kwasniewicz even filled up the gas tank at his own expense and assured that her warranty coverage will be extended.

Shortly thereafter, a Free Press reported got in touch with Mr. Kwasniewicz and asked why Ford executive would trouble himself with visiting a common customer. Mr. Kwasniewicz, in turn, said that he has a solid experience in dealing with Powershift issues and it is common for Ford engineers to visit customers who have issues with their cars. Moreover, Mr. Kwasniewicz plans to visit another customer in the nearest future. As for the defected TCM unit removed from the car of Ms. Hughes, it will be tested and results will be mailed to the car owner. All in all, the number of complaints about Fiesta and Focus models equipped with problematic Powershift transmissions continues to grow, and it seems that Mr. Kwasniewicz still has much work to do.