THE SHIFT LEVER SNAPPED OFF, IN REVERSE, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT INTO PARK. THE LEVER BROKE IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN GEAR WITH NO MEANS TO PUT IN PARK. THE BASE OF THE LEVER THAT OPERATES THE GEAR CHANGE MECHANISM APPEARS TO BE MADE OF POROUS METAL. I WAS FORCED TO LEAVE MY VEHICLE IN REVERSE, WITH THE KEYS STUCK IN THE IGNITION, UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO ARRANGE A TOW. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC, ON A HILL WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO PLACE SOME ITEMS BEHIND THE WHEELS TO PREVENT ROLLING (EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT WORK WELL). THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS DOCUMENTED COMPLAINTS (ENOUGH THAT A PARTS MANUFACTURER HAS COME UP WITH A MORE DURABLE REPLACEMENT PART). *TR
2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THE CONTACT COULD SMELL A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE ENGINE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING WHILE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE ENGINE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,845. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN