NHTSA Complaint #715994 — 1995 FORD CONTOUR

AT ABOUT THE TIME INDICATED PREVIOUSLY, THE PLASTIC STRIP THAT INDICATES WHICH GEAR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS SEPARATED. THE BASIC WARRANTY WAS UP, SO I HAD REPAIRS ATTEMPTED BY MY SERVICE AND INSPECTION STATION. THEY DID NOT WORK. OCCASIONALLY THE PIECES BIND SOMEWHAT AND MAKE SHIFTING DIFFICULT. I CANNOT USE THIS STRIP TO JUDGE WHICH GEAR I AM IN, SINCE IT DOES NOT READ CORRECTLY. FORD SAYS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR CAMPAIGN NUMBER 98V233000. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT WORTHY OF A RECALL. I NEED TO COUNT GEARS TO KNOW WHICH ONE I AM IN. IF ANYONE ELSE WERE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THEY MIGHT DAMAGE THE CAR OR THEMSELVES BY SELECTING A WRONG GEAR BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE STRIP GAVE THE WRONG INFORMATION. FORD DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS MATTER ( WITH ALL KINDS OF "GEE, WE'RE REALLY SORRY, BUT ..."). I HAVE NOT ABUSED THE VEHICLE IN ANY WAY. IT HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY AND PROPERLY MAINTAINED WHILE IN MY POSSESSION. I AM 61 YEARS OLD AND LONG PAST ANY DESIRE TO ABUSE MY VEHICLES. *AK