I need help.. and fast!!!

Ok, here's the situation.. I have a 2004 Explorer XLT V8, I've had her brand new and never failed me.. so I thought.  Beginning of this year (2007), I noticed something about the gear selector lever being too hard to shift from park to drive or any part of the shift selectors.  I went in my local Ford dealer and had it serviced.. the mechanic told me that there was a recall on the transmission and they will take care of it right away.  To make the story short, it drove a-ok after that.  Last June, 2007, the tranny started acting really weird!  The old habit was back, delayed and very abrupt reverse engagement and delayed shifting on 3rd and 4th gear!   But the worse is yet to come!  Yesterday, August 29, as I was on my way to work, I started the engine to warm up, turned on the AC, radio on and as I pulled on to the gear lever to put it on reverse.. the gear selector lever broke off from the steering wheel!!!  (See attached picture)  You could have seen the expression on my face.. I was dumb-founded at what happened!  How can this happen?!!  Of all the things that will break, snap off, or simply fail.. the tranny's gear selector lever is broken!  Has this thing happened to anyone here?  Now, will Ford be responsible for this?.. Please, anybody.. I need help.. what do I do now? 

PAUL from La Verne, CA


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Whats the current mileage?
 
Since this seems to have been an on going problem you might be able to get some help at the dealer level depending on mileage.. Also, There's a TSB 04-22-12 for the shift interlock pin on the colum  'hanging' that makes the return from D to P difficult at times.. Notice any difficulty, or problems getting it back into park/ forced shifts? Any of these conditions might have aided the shift selector failure and should be brought up to the service advisor if they were pressent or were never corrected since the purchase, or service work done at the dealer,.. If this is your servicing dealer, they might be able to help you under the customer satifaction.. 

Well, I do have some difficulty when I put it from drive to park.. but it's on and off.. it doesn't happen all the time, but yeah, it does happen.  Where can I find the TSB's for my vehicle?  I did mention the problem before they made the repair for the recall.. but the problem came back.. it's just frustrating when you thought that everything's back to normal, then these things happen.  Anyways, thank you very much for the reply.. I really do appreciate it.  This forum really is a big help for people like us.  Thanks again.. and if there's anymore you or anyone would like to add.. please do.
 
PAUL from La Verne, CA 

I would like to discuss my outrage against Ford Motor Company regarding their lack of concern for consumers of the above vehicle. Shortly after purchasing this vehicle (new) I immediately noticed transmission issues. The vehicle was purchased 09/06. The transmission issue is that when the vehicle is at a full stop - it lunges back into 1st gear hard. If you dont have your foot on the brake you will most certainly go into the vehicle directly in front of you. This problem was reported to Ford immediately for this problem and has been in and out of the repair shop numerous times. The latest is Im not the only consumer having this issue there are hundreds of individuals experiencing the exact same issue. My last repair bill a week ago states this and I quote "There is no immediate solution to the problem.....our engineers at Ford are well aware of the problem and are trying to come up with an effective action to resolve this issue". However what they are doing is forcing people back into their defective and unsafe vehicles while they try and solve the problem. Ford is well aware of this issue and are not doing a damn thing concerning consumers safety. They are treating us like guinea pigs while they find a solution. There are currently (documented) 19 other individuals with the exact same make and model vehicle experiencing the exact same problem as I described. These individuals are concerned about their safety as well. The link to view this is www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2006/transmission 
 
The Ford Motor Co. has turned an automotive backside to almost every customer complaining this transmission issue, leaving them the option or repairing the truck and keeping it or dumping the vehicle on the used-truck market.
More and more Ford mechanics and technicians are siding with consumers, charging that the troubled automaker is fully aware of a major flaw in Ford transmissions causing them to lunge forward and even go out of gear without warning.
The mechanics complain that Ford is covering up the defect while squeezing and short-changing technicians and mechanics tasked with repairing the problem for Ford consumers
Many previous Ford models were also prone to lunge forward or slip out of gear while parked, so if you buy one, park it outside and leave a brick under the wheel. And never leave children, pets or disabled people alone inside -- even for a minute. ...
 
]I personally wish some attorney would have the balls to take this on as a class action lawsuit against Ford. The problem is not only blatant but their lack of sympathy and compassion for a consumers safety just blows me away. I have been in touch with Ford Relations as well and honestly they are a big joke.  The only thing they state is that Ford is working on a solution. I have also filed complaints with the BBB and also The National Highway Safety Association. If any other consumers are experiencing this issue and would like to contact me directly please feel free to give them my e-mail address.

Wow!  I didn't know about this!  Anyways, my Explorer is still in the dealership (for over a month now!) because parts and service department said that the part that broke off, and I quote, "..is a made-to-order part, because Ford company stopped making that particular part due to it's defectiveness.."  Ok, so I asked how long will it take for them to make it.. they said 2 months.  A couple of months?!!  Now they gotta be joking I said!  Well, it's true!!!  So, my wife and I decided to just trade it in for a brand new one (2007 model).  But, now that I read the reply up there.. I'm having second thoughts!  Any suggestions?
 
PAUL from La Verne, CA

did you check the wrecking yards for the part.  Alot of times they can get on their computers and track down what you are needing from other yards if they dont have it in theirs.