The gear shifter on my 2002 Ford Explorer snapped off the other day. What an inconvenience, headache and nightmare! I've researched this issue and found out that it's a common failure with these vehicles and I guess Ford never issues a recall on it. The replacement part can be purchased from many sources (Amazon, Autozone etc.) and can be easily replaced by a mechanic or by anyone who is handy. I've provided some details and useful links below:

How to manually change gears if/when the shifter breaks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T5JBjjJj6A

Replacement part details: Part Number: 905-104 Part Name-1: Column Shifter Lever Bracket Repair Part Name-2: Dorman Steering Shaft Repair Kit http://www.autozone.com/suspension-steering-tire-and-wheel/steering-shaft-repair-kit/dorman-steering-shaft-repair-kit/973457/

I purchased the part from Autozone and I'll planning to drop off my truck at my mechanics shop to have it replaced. I'm estimating it'll probably be about half hour of labor.

Got in the car and go to shift and the GEAR SHIFT is in MY HAND!!!! I panicked because the car was in reverse so I had to call my husband, and I had to keep my foot on the brake or I would have hit something or someone, since the whole GEAR SHIFT was broken I could not get the car in park. My husband calls a tow truck and guess what the tow truck driver would not take the car because he could not put it in neutral and he said if he towed it he would not be responsible if pulling the car on the flat bed could damage the TRANSMISSION what a nightmare, we had to call another tow truck with "skates" so that he could "skate" up the tow truck and would not damage the transmission but before all of this could be done we had to figure out how to shut off the car since it was still in reverse, we had to open up the steering column and manually push down a small metal piece that would allow the car to shut off and be able to pull out the key. FORD really needs to take responsibility for this dangerous problem!!!!

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ANOTHER GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF IN MY HAND AGAIN WITHIN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS FROM FIXING THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. THANK GOD THIS TIME THE CAR WAS STILL IN PARK. FORD REALLY NEEDS TO FIX THIS VERY SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THEY HAVE, THEY MAKE ENOUGH MONEY ON US THEY SHOULD STAND UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBLITY NOT JUST LOOK THE OTHER WAY THIS PROBLEM COULD KILL SOMEONE! IF I HAD MONEY I WOULD GO BUY ANOTHER CAR (NOT A FORD) BUT UNFORTUNETLY I HAVE TO FIX THIS PIECE OF JUNK METAL ONE MORE TIME. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FORD?? THIS COMPANY ACT LIKE ITS POOR, THEY MADE A CHEAP PART AND THEY KNOW IT.

The pin holding the shifter snapped, rendering the vehicle useless unless fixed. It was discovered that, had the Explorer been manufactured in the first half of the year the fix would've been approx. $100.00 to replace the pin. However, Ford got "smart" and changed their manufacturing process and the pin holding the shifter in place was designed so that the entire steering column has to be replaced at a cost of $2600.00 CAD new, used was $1800.00 CAD.

Was explained that weak metal, bad pour, bad design. No response from Ford.

One of VERY MANY issues with this money pit!!

The gear shifter (Prindl) in the steering column broke off in my hand this morning. As a second job to help my 3 children with their college expenses I deliver the local newspaper from 4:00-6:00 AM. As I tried to put the vehicle in park the prindl came off in my hand. Thank goodness I was on a flat surface in a parking lot. I deliver the paper to several people's doorways that involves driving up their steep driveways. I can't imagine the damage that could have occurred if this happened while trying to put the vehicle in park on an incline.

My local mechanic is trying to find a replacement part and not replace the entire steering column. I may contact the guy in Sweden as mentioned in an earlier post. This 2002 Ford Explorer has been a real lemon, I just replaced the engine for the second time last month, just before I was going to trade it in for a new vehicle.

I was considering the Ford Escape or CMAX; trying to get someting with Hybrid/plug-in. I think I will look a lot harder at other brands.

It was pouring down the rain this morning and I was trying to go to work. I ran to the vehicle and jumped in trying not to get completely soaked. I started the engine and turned on the lights, windshield wipers and defroster. I grabbed ahold of the gear shift to pull it down into reverse and to my surprise it just pulled off into my hand. I had to gather up all my stuff and run back inside and grab my daughters car keys and drive her car to work today. I called around to the local junk yards and pick a part stores and found a few pretty good quotes. I tried Advanced Auto and Auto Zone and they told me they did not carry it or could not get it. I will end up going to the junk yard in the morning and buying a whole steering column just to replace the shifter lever. I did get them down to $150.00 so I considered it a win. It took me about 2 hours to get everything apart and ready to go back together once I get the piece in the morning.

After a long day at work I drove with my 13 year old daughter to the local hospital for some tests. The service was unusually fast, happy to be heading home, we jumped in our 2002 Ford Explorer. It started right up as usual, i pressed the break pedal and proceeded to place the vehicle in reverse. The gear shift broke right off in my hand!! We had no choice but to leave the vehicle and begin the five mile walk home!!Super disappointed, yet another faulty part on this vehicle I have been less then happy with from day one. I owned a Ford Expedition prior & had next to no problems for 11 years. I will NEVER purchase a Ford again, it has been one thing after another. So much for "made in the USA".......I cant afford to drive an Ford

Was out on a Friday night, pouring rain, cloud to ground lightening, picking up my son. I went to park my vehicle and the gear shift broke off in my hand ~ imagine my surprise! Lucky for me I have a wonderful neighbor that fixes cars. He came to my rescue that night and then put it in gear the next morning and took it to his garage. He called Ford, who said it would be $1250 to replace the whole gear shift. He told them he only needed the aluminum cylinder and they said they don't sell it that way. He call some of his other contacts and the repair ended up costing $53. Please find some reputable mechanic to fix your vehicle if this happens to you, please do not take it to Ford and pay that outrageous fee.

My husband was pulling into our driveway to park when the gear shifter snapped off into his hands. We were very thankful this happened in our driveway and not out and about with the kids. Upon evaluating the situation, we realized the gearshift linkage had snapped. This is a defective part as there was no excessive force used. Since this seems to be a common issue with Ford SUV's and Trucks from 2002-2004,Ford should recall this part and fix the problem. If we bring the car to the dealership, it will cost us minimally $1700. We have had a few defective issues with Ford and do not feel that our issues are ever resolved to our satisfaction. Unless this issue is paid for by Ford, I will never buy another Ford again, EVER!