NHTSA Complaint #10113896 — 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO

DRIVING A 2000 OLDS ALERO. THE GEAR SHIFT BECOMES INOPERABLE, BECAUSE THE PLASTIC BUTTON THAT IS USED TO PUSH IN TO OPERATE THE GEAR SHIFT IS COMPLETELY BROKEN ON THE INSIDE. THE PEICE HAS EVEN FALLEN OUT OF THE GEAR SHIFT MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO PLACE THE CAR IN GEAR. HAVE HAD TO PUSH THUMB INTO HEAD OF GEAR SHIFT TO ENABLE "PUSHING OF INTERIOR RELEASE" TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFT IN POSITION. NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY DAMAGE UNDER MY POSESSION, AND AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD NOT ABUSED THE GEAR SHIFT EITHER. CAN CAUSE A "SUPRISING"MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU CAN NOT ENGAGE THE GEAR YOU ARE INTENDING TO USE. RECENTLY I WAS BACKING UP IN THE VEHICLE, WHEN THE "BUTTON "CAME OFF, AND ROLLED UNDER MY SEAT. LUCKILY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT THAT WAS NOT EXTREMELY BUSY AT THAT TIME. I HAD TO TRY TO LOCATE THE BUTTON WITH MY FOOT STILL ENGAGED ON THE BRAKE SO THE CAR WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO "BACK UP". THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED BY STICKING MY THUMB IN THE OPEN AREA I COULD THEN ENGAGE MY GEAR SHIFT INTO DRIVE. *AK