NHTSA Complaint #10650498 — 2006 FORD FUSION

WHILE SHIFTING FROM HIGHER GEAR TO LOWER GEAR WHILE CLIMBING A HILL, TRANSMISSION JUMPED BETWEEN GEARS, SLAMMING THE GEARS AS IF POPPING A CLUTCH (IT'S AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). ON ANOTHER HILL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ENGAGE IN THE LOWER GEAR, REVVING UP TO ABOUT 4000 RPM AS IF IN NEUTRAL, LEAVING THE CAR DECELERATING ON THE UPHILL STRETCH AMONG SPEEDING TRAFFIC. I HAD TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE, EASE ON THE ACCELERATOR, AND THE LOWER GEAR ENGAGED, AFTER SLOWING TO ABOUT 35 ON 65 MPH SPEED LIMIT FREEWAY. FORD LISTS THE REPAIR IN TSB 08-24-1 AS "TRANSMISSION HARSH SHIFTING" AND RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF THE MAIN CONTROL. THIS PART HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FAULTY AND COMMON WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE AND MANY OTHER MAKES AND MODELS. IT PRESENTS A CLEAR DANGER TO DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS WHO RISK BEING REAR-ENDED DUE TO SUDDEN DECELERATION OR STRANDED DUE TO "HARSH SHIFTING" DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE TRAIN. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE DRIVING THE CAR OUT OF TOWN OR NEAR ANY HILL, AND THE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR