NHTSA Complaint #10193054 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

MY WIFE WAS GOING TO WORK ON 6/12/07 WHEN SHE ARRIVED IN THE PARKING LOT. SHE WENT TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK WHEN THE COLUMN SHIFTER BROKE OFF IN HER HANDS. SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I DISMANTLED THE STEERING COLUMN AND FOUND THAT A METAL PIECE HAD SHEERED OFF THAT ATTACHES THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN. THIS PIECE OF METAL IS MADE OUT OF POT METAL AND IS OF A POOR QUALITY DESIGN. THE TRUCK IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AS WE DO NOT HAVE $500 TO BUY ANOTHER STEERING COLUMN. THIS POSES A SAFETY RISK IN THE FACT THAT A PARENT COULD GET STRANDED WITH KIDS AND COULD PUT THEM IN DANGER BY NOT ALLOWING THE KEY TO BE REMOVED.