NHTSA Complaint #10340746 — 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY

5 DAYS AFTER A WONDERFUL VACATION (IN WHICH I USED MY 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY VAN), I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN I FELT A SHIFTING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AS I WAS TURNING A CORNER. I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG RIGHT AWAY AND PULLED (COASTED) INTO A PARKING SPACE. LUCKILY, I WAS ON A SIDE STREET AND NOT A HIGHWAY. I PUT CAR IN PARK AND LISTENED AND WAITED FOR A MOMENT. WHEN I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO LEAVE THE PARKING SPACE, NOTHING HAPPENED. I TRIED FORWARD AND REVERSE A FEW MORE TIMES, I TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONING AND MADE SURE THE RADIO WAS STILL WORKING. THE CAR WOULD STILL NOT CHANGE GEARS. HAD THE CAR TOWED ($75) AND NEEDED A NEW (REBUILT) TRANSMISSION - $2,300. WARRANTY EXPIRED A FEW MONTHS AGO, SO IT WAS ALL OUT OF POCKET. IT TOOK A WEEK TO FIX THE VEHICLE, SO I WAS WITHOUT A CAR FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVE 30,000 MI. ON THE CAR. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE LEFT WHEN I DRIVE THIS VAN NOW AND THERE'S NO WAY I CAN AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE RIGHT NOW. THESE ARE FAMILY VANS AND I WONDER WHEN MERCURY/FORD WILL OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM?? IT'S QUITE SCARY. *TR