NHTSA Complaint #702903 — 1995 SAAB 900

STOPPED CAR AT GAS STATION, PLACED SHIFTER IN REVERSE POSITION (SUPPOSED TO BE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO REMOVE KEY), APPLIED PARKING BRAKE, TOOK KEY OUT OF LOCK, GOT OUT OF CAR TO PUMP GAS. AS I WALKED AROUND THE CAR TO GET TO THE GAS PUMP, THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD WITH MY 6 YR OLD CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT. I RAN AFTER THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR, JUMP IN, AND STOP IT, BEFORE IT HIT A TRUCK WHICH WAS PARKED AT THE GAS STATION. THE CAR IS DESIGNED SO THAT THE SHIFTER MUST BE IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY. HOWEVER, OCCASIONALLY THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER IS IN THE REVERSE POSITION BUT THE REVERSE GEAR IS NOT ENGAGED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN "ADJUSTED" TWICE. IT CONTINUES TO RECUR. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE FIXED OR DISABLED. THE PROBLEM WAS COMPOUNDED BY THE FACT THAT THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING. *AK