NHTSA Complaint #11489708 — 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

SHIFT LEVER PLACED IN TO PARK WILL NOT RELEASE KEY FOB, KEEPING THE VEHICLE IN ACCESSORY MODE AND DRAINING BATTERY. OCCASSIONALLY SHIFTING BACK AND FORTH FROM 'PARK' TO OTHER POSITIONS AND BACK TO 'PARK' WILL CAUSE THE IGNITION TO RELEASE KEY FOB AS NORMAL. EVENTUALLY FOUND ON FORUMS THAT FLICKING THE SHIFTER BUTTON ONCE IN PARK WILL HELP DEPRESS MICROSWITCH AND ALLOW IGNITION TO TURN OFF, THUS RELEASEING FOB. EVENTUALLY THIS STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. MY FIRST FIX WAS REMOVING THE DASH AND BENDING THE MICROSWITCH LEG SO THAT MORE FIRM CONTACT WAS MADE BY SHIFT ARM WHEN PLACED IN 'PARK.' THIS EVENTUALLY STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. I FINALLY REMOVED DASH AND DISPLACED MICROSWITCH SO THAT IT PROTRUDES THROUGH IGNITION RING AND HANGS OUT NEAR THE KEY FOB. NOW WHEN I PARK, I MANUALLY PRESS THE MICROSWITCH AND THE IGINITION RELEASES THE FOB FULLY EVERY TIME! OTHERWISE YOU'RE STUCK REPLACING THE ENTIRE SHIFT ASSEMBLY FOR OVER $200 FOR PARTS AND MORE FOR WHATEVER LABOR IS CHARGED! ALL FOR A $2 MICROSWITCH THAT IS POSITIONED WRONG.