NHTSA Complaint #10270143 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

GEAR SHIFT LEVER SNAPPED OFF IN THE HAND OF MY 110 LB GIRLFRIEND. SHE PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WENT TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND THE PART THAT CONNECTS THE GEAR SHIFT TO THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE OFF. THE CAR WAS ON AND LUCKILY DID NOT MAKE IT ALL THE WAY INTO REVERSE OR THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK IN REVERSE!! SHE QUICKLY TURNED THE CAR OFF, BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK EITHER, SO THE KEY WON'T COME OUT! I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND MY NEIGHBORS HAVE LITTLE ONES AS WELL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR IS NOT COMPLETELY IN ANY GEAR AND THE KEY IS IN IT. IT CAN'T BE DRIVEN SO I HAD IT TOWED, AND LIKE MANY, MANY OTHERS HAVE FOUND OUT, THIS SMALL, CHEAPLY MADE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPLACE. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE PURCHASED THROUGH FORD AND REPLACED. I WAS GIVEN A "DISCOUNTED" QUOTE OF $1900 FROM BERGE FORD IN AZ. HOW HAS THIS SMALL, WEAK, CHEAPLY MADE PART NOT BEEN RECALLED YET? ARE WE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE RUN OVER AND POSSIBLY KILLED BY A VEHICLE STUCK IN GEAR?! *TR