NHTSA Complaint #10253439 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

AS MY WIFE WAS SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE IN OUR 2002 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER THE GEAR SHIFT PRNDL JUST FELL OFF IN HER HAND. FORD DEALERSHIP IN ASHEVILLE NC TELLS ME THERE IS A SIX(6) MONTH BACK ORDER FOR THIS PART. AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT 80,000 MILES AND REPLACING BOTH REAR CLUTCH PACKS AT 72,000 I WAS LIVID. SIX MONTHS TO GET A PART????? ARE YOU KIDDING ME. FORD IS LUCKY THIS THING DIDN'T FALL OFF WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. FORD SAYS "WE'RE SORRY" AND "WE UNDERSTAND YOUR FRUSTRATION" HOGWASH. WHERE THIS GOES FROM HERE I DON'T REALLY KNOW. THEY BEAT ME DOWN WITH THEIR INACTION AND STALLING AND TURNED ME AGAINST THEM ALL TOGETHER. I FINALLY FOUND A PART IN TEXAS FROM A JUNKED EXPLORER (NO HELP FROM THE DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER) AND HAD IT FIXED FOR AROUND $1500. THE TRANSMISSION BILL CAME IN AT $2000 AND THE CLUTCH PACKS CAME IN AT $800. ALL ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. *TR