NHTSA Complaint #10479557 — 2002 FORD F-250

AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A RETAIL PARKING LOT, I COULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE SHIFT LEVER HAD BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE IN DRIVE AND APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE BRACKET THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE TRANSMISSION TO HOLD THE SHIFT CABLE TO ALLOW SHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION, BROKE AWAY FROM THE TRANSMISSION THREADED MOUNTING BOSSES. THE ALUMINUM THREADED MOUNTING BOSSES CRUMBLED WITH SEVERAL PIECES FALLING TO THE GROUND. THE INABILITY OF PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK ESPECIALLY AT A TIME OF URGENCY IS OF GREAT CONCERN TO ME. A REPAIR OPTION SHORT OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT YET BEEN DISCOVERED. SEVERAL FORD DEALERS SAID THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH AN ISSUE. MY MECHANIC WHO IS TRYING TO DEVELOP A MAKE-SHIFT BRACKET STATED HE HAS SEEN MANY CASES ON WEB SITES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO REPAIR STATIONS. ONE GOOGLE SEARCH ON FORD TRUCK FORUM SHOWED AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM SUCH AS MINE. THANK YOU *TR