I smell gas when driving at high speed of 60 and above on freeway mostly. Once in a while I can smell it when driving at lower speeds of 25 -30mph. I used to think that I had spilled gas on the outside of car when it first started happening, but now a year later, I still smell gas and I do smoke in my car, but when I smell the gas, I will put the cigarette out. Is there some kind of recall on this problem, that can repair it. I have put $4000 into restoring the car and I and putting another $800 into it next week, November 2013, to replace all of the belts around the engine. I have already rebuilt the transmission for $1800 at aamco, and put a $2200 paint job on it, before I knew of the gas smell. I have also replaced alternator and battery. Am I fighting a losing battle with this car?

- Long Beach, CA, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed home and was not taken to have the failure diagnosed. The contact also stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle would decelerate while driving at various speeds. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

- Lawai, HI, USA

1997 Ford Thunderbird with shifting problems. Consumer states that the shifter lever after pressure on brake pedal does not release shifter handle. He had the brake light/release switch replaced and problem still exists. The consumer had difficulty removing the shifter out of park.

- Sarasota, FL, USA