NHTSA Complaint #10310208 — 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD ANY DAMAGE. FOR THE PAST COUPLE YEARS, I'VE BEEN NOTICING A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER. USUALLY IN COLD WEATHER (BELOW ABOUT 40 DEGREES F), THE GEAR SHIFTER DOES NOT CHANGE GEARS. FOR EXAMPLE, I'LL PUT IT IN DRIVE, RELEASE THE GEAR SHIFT, AND IT IMMEDIATELY REVERTS TO NEUTRAL. SAME THING HAPPENS WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE. TO GO ANYWHERE, I HAVE TO HOLD THE GEAR SHIFT IN THE GEAR I NEED. SOMETIMES, IF I HOLD IT IN DRIVE FOR ABOUT A MINUTE, IT FINALLY STAYS IN DRIVE WHEN I RELEASE IT. SO FAR IT HASN'T JUMPED GEARS WHILE DRIVING - ONLY WHEN I FIRST TURN THE CAR ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TODAY AND HE SAID HE'S SEEN SEVERAL CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AND SAID I HAVE TO GET THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM REPLACED, WHICH COSTS ~$700. I'M NERVOUS THAT IF I DON'T GET IT REPLACED, THE GEARS COULD JUMP WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR