Prndl indicator is broken, similar complaint to NHTSA # 98V233000, found Ford recall # 98S26, dealer and manufacturer will not cover vehicle under this recall campaign.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

I hope you can help me. I have a complaint I'd like to register with you about the safety of a car made by Ford Motor Company. The VIN (vehicle identification number) is [xxx]. I am the owner of a 1996 Ford Contour LX and recently I became aware (on my own Accord) that Ford Motor Company has the following two safety recalls on my vehicle 1. recall 99S14 - head light switch and wire assembly 2. recall 98S26 - automatic transaxle shift indicator (prndl) bezel. Upon acquiring this information I contacted Ford Motor Company's local dealer kingston industrial garage in order to ascertain whether my vehicle qualifies for these recalls. I was subsequently advised by them that while my vehicle qualified for recall 99S14-head lamp switch and wire assembly, however it does qualify for recall 98S26 - automatic transaxle shift indicator (prndl) bezel. This is occurring despite the fact that my vehicle meets one of the requirements as stated in a letter issued to dealers and customers by Ford Motor Company's Mr. A. R. kaduk-manager of vehicle service and programs dated October, 1998 which reads "certain 1995-1998 model year Contour vehicles equipped with automatic transmission built from September 1, 1994 through January 8, 1998 at the Kansas City assembly plant, usa" and it is this statement that makes my vehicle eligible for this recall, and how can they justify honoring one safety recall and not another. As a consequence of their refusal to honor this safety recall I am presently forced to drive an extremely unsafe vehicle due to the fact that I am unable to determine the selection of gears as a result of the defective automatic shift indicator (prndl) bezel which if not addressed with dispatch will sooner or later result in severe damage to myself and others. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Miramar, FL, USA

Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl) details: Automatic shift lever may not indicate correct gear (P, D, R) lever hangs up when switching between P, D, R. problem has been occurring for appx three years.

- Randolph, MA, USA

Automatic shift lever may not indicate correct gear (P, D, R) lever hangs up when switching between P, D, R. problem has been occurring for appx three years.

- Mansfield, OH, USA

Shift lever damage, no longer able to tell what gear is shifted to, there is a recall but this vehicle is not affected due to VIN.

- Streetsborough, OH, USA

Shift lever indicator is worn. Can no longer see what gear is being used. There is recall 98V233000, but this vehicle is not affected.

- Palos Park, IL, USA

The gear shift indicator is broken, and does not indicate what gear the vehicle is in. The problem was reported to the dealership. Dealer stated that vehicle was not included in recall # 98V233000 due to VIN, and could not be serviced free of charge.

- Medina, OH, USA

The gear shift indicator does not inidicate what gear the vehicle is in. The dealer/manufacturer I are aware of problem problem has not been corrected.

- Marfhfield, MA, USA