Conventional Parking Brake problems of the 1997 Ford Contour

1. Parking brake seized without warning in wet weather with outside temperatures below freezing, especially when parking brake was left engaged for several hours while car was parked outdoors. Left rear wheel would lock up intermittently, causing difficulty in maintaining control of vehicle and nearly causing two accidents. Also made ascending icy hills from a stop very difficult, as both rear wheels would lock. This sometimes caused the vehicle to slowly roll backward into path of oncoming traffic. 2. Transmission shifted only at very low engine speeds (less than 2500 rpm), causing much slower than normal acceleration, and excess use of brakes when descending long, steep grades. Driving with knowledge of problem allowed me to avoid situations where rapid acceleration or extended periods of brake use were necessary, but problem still reduced margin of safety. Both these problems were eventually repaired under warranty after numerous dealership denials and delays. Dates and mileages of components failures are estimates, and not exact.

After parking vehicle in driveway vehicle disingaged and traveled out of park into street. Dearel has been contacetd. Please provide further informaton.