2004 MERCEDES BENZ SLK320 Power Train Problems

AFTER PULLING CAR INTO GARAGE FOUND THAT SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE PAST NEUTRAL FROM DRIVE POSITION. THOUGH IGNITION KEY COULD BE TURNED FAR ENOUGH COUNTER-CLOCKWISE FOR ENGINE SHUTDOWN IT STOPPED SHORT OF BEING ABLE TO BE REMOVED. AFTER PROBLEM DIAGNOSED REPAIR REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ELECTRONIC SHIFTER MODULE COSTING OVER $1,000. I FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOR SAME PROBLEM ON GOOGLE FROM OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS. FORTUNATE THAT FAILURE HAPPENED IN MY GARAGE. IF EPISODE HAPPENED ON OPEN ROAD MAJOR INCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. I DID CONTACT MERCEDES CAC (CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER) TO REPORT PROBLEM BOTH BY PHONE & LETTER. THEIR REPRESENTATIVE OFFERED ONLY EXCUSES & INDICATED FAILURE WAS RESULT OF 'NORMAL WEAR & TEAR' THAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED IN VEHICLE 10 YEARS OLD REGARDLESS OF HOW WELL MAINTAINED. AT AGE 63 I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFETIME & NONE EVER HAD SUCH A FAILURE. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF...