NHTSA Complaint #10190415 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

AFTER BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, I PUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN PARK TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, WHEN I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE AND THE GEAR SHIFT BECAME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, BUT COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. TWO WEEKS BEFORE THIS TIME I WAS ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE IN BAD WEATHER AND USED THE GEAR SHIFT TO SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR ON THE STEEP DOWNHILL, WET AND POSSIBLY ICY ROAD SURFACE. THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH DIFFERENT HAD THE GEAR SHIFT DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF THE GEAR SHIFT BEING LOOSE OR DIFFICULT TO MOVE PRIOR TO ITS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED.*AK