NHTSA Complaint #10545681 — 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER

THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE CAME OFF THE LEVER CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION THUS LEAVING ME STUCK IN REVERSE DURING THIS RECENT EVENT. I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR IN REVERSE TO PARK IT SAFELY OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. THE PROBLEM RESULTED FROM A PLASTIC BUSHING THAT CONNECTS THE CABLE TO THE LEVER, SEE GM # 15785087. IN MY OPINION THIS BUSHING WAS NOT DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND THE NORMAL LIFE OF THE CAR DUE TO THE DEGRADATION OF THE BUSHING WHICH ESSENTIALLY SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES AND ALLOWED THE CABLE TO DISLODGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND LEAVING THE DRIVER STUCK IN WHATEVER GEAR THEY HAPPEN TO BE IN. LUCKILY THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE TURNED OFF AFTER SAFELY BEING REMOVED FROM TRAFFIC. I HAD TO TIE WRAP CABLE BACK TO LEVER TO PLACE IN THE PROPER GEAR IE. PARK. GM SHOULD HAVE DESIGNED A MORE RIGID LINKAGE CONNECTION WITH A SAFETY PIN TO PREVENT THIS DISLODGING. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THAT THE CONSOLE HAS TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE CABLE THUS LEAVING THE AVERAGE OWNER STUCK IN HAVING TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND INCUR THE COST UPWARDS OF $300.00 TO REPLACE IT. *TR