Transmission Stuck In Gear Problems of Mercury Sable

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that the gear shifter was stuck and could not move out of the park position. In addition, the brake lights failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact mentioned that the brake wiring had to be pushed down to override the failure. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake light switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v106000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.

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I pulled up to a stoplight. When it turned green, I depressed the accelerator and the vehicle's engine revved as though it were in neutral. When shifted into any forward gear or reverse gear, it would not move. It was as though it were stuck in neutral. The transmission specialist said it was a common problem, knew exactly what it was, and quipped that he was surprised mine had lasted this long. Upon researching online, it appears that this is an incredibly widespread problem. In fact, Ford knows it is a problem as it has recalled two of their minivans that contain the very same transmission. It is the same part failing. Why does it warrant a recall in one vehicle but not another??.

I've noticed since purchasing the vehicle, that it sometimes hesitates when you step on the gas from a dead start and you must maintain your foot on the pedal until it shifts or it would jerk. I've never driven a vehicle that performed this way and not knowing much about cars, didn't know there was a problem. Now it's stuck in gear at 60mph. It has also droped into neutral for no apparent reason but once I shifted it into reverse and then drive, the gear kicked in.

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