NHTSA Complaint #10521558 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY. I STARTED THE VEHICLE, DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE GEARSHIFT LEVER INTO REVERSE. THE GEARSHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE. AGAIN, I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE GEARSHIFT LEVER INTO REVERSE. THE LEVER BROKE OFF AT THE JOINT WHERE IT COMES OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAD TO HIRE A TOW TRUCK. THE DRIVER HAD TO DISENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION TO LOAD IT ONTO THE BED OF THE TOW TRUCK. THIS HAS BEEN A MASSIVE INCONVENIENCE BOTH FINANCIALLY AND STRATEGICALLY. I EXPECTED THIS ISSUE TO BE IN THE RECALL MODE AS THERE ARE MANY INCIDENTS NOTED ON THIS SITE. I FEEL THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR ALL MY COSTS AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FLAWED METAL JOINT THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL WITH NORMAL USE. WE RESIDE IN A MOUNTAINOUS STATE AND USE THE GEARSHIFT LEVER TO DOWN SHIFT ON THE SAME ROADS. THIS OCCURRENCE WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTER ON FLOYD HILL OUTSIDE OF DENVER. I GUESS I WAS LUCKY! *TR