Parking Brake Related Problems of the 2009 Toyota Camry

Parking Brake problem

Several weeks ago, I had a couple of incidences, where my 2009 Toyota Camry gear lever would not shift from park to drive. After several attempts of turning on/off ignition, depressing brakes, and tugging lever, the gear would then shift from park to drive. On 08-01-2010, I went to the mall and spent several hours there. When I turned on the ignition, feet on the brakes, the shift lever would not budge. After 30-45 minutes of trying to shift the lever, I decided to call mall security to call for a tow. The security guard suggested that he should give it a try, "the lever shifted from park to drive". I was very concerned. In the previous incidences, it never took so long for the lever to shift. The incidences have occurred first thing in the morning; after work or after the car has been sitting for a number of hours. On 08-02-2010, I took the car to the dealership, first thing in the morning; I was there at 6:35am. After I explained the above, they inspected and test drove the car. The service person came back to me and informed me that something must have spilled on/in the gear box. I absolutely denied that assumption. He then stated that they would take apart the gear box. Again, he came back and stated that something sticky was found "on top" and gave me an estimate for replacing gear shaft. Again, I absolutely denied that anything fell on or in the gear box. And, why was I not summoned to look and this sticky residue. He then called the service manager, who attempted to explain that he could not justify replacing gear shaft under warranty because the problem is not being detected at the present time. And, there is about 7 or 8 reasons why the gear lever would not shift. However, they gave me a quote to replace gear shaft. I was able to speak to one of the technicians, without the manager being present, who stated that there was something definitely wrong with the gear shaft.