NHTSA Complaint #10277043 — 2000 SATURN LS

I HAVE A 2000 SATURN LS2. I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. I DOWNSHIFTED FROM 3RD TO 2ND WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHEN I TRIED TO SHIFT DOWN TO 1ST, I HEARD A POP AND THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED TO THE LINKAGE. THIS WAS VERY DISCONCERTING. WHEN I CALLED THE MECHANIC AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED THE FIRST QUESTION WAS 'DO YOU HAVE A SATURN?" I FOUND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY FAILURE OF A PLASTIC BUSHING WHICH COSTS LESS THAN $20 BUT WHICH SATURN IS CHARGING $800 TO REPLACE ALONG WITH A LOT OF OTHER PARTS. THEY WILL NOT SELL JUST THE BUSHING. I BOUGHT ONE ON EBAY FOR $19.99. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY OR WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC CAUSING A STALL, IT COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I SUGGESTED THAT SATURN OUGHT TO BE FIXING THIS FOR FREE AND THEY LAUGHED AT ME. *TR