TRANSMISSION FAILED TO HOLD VEHICLE IN PLACE WHEN STOPPED ON INCLINES. TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE A THUNKING NOISE. TRANSMISSION WOULD BE RELEASED. VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY & HIT A TREE. VEHICLE HAS A STANDARD TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS IN GEAR. THE HAND BRAKES WERE NOT APPLIED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED (12/97). *AK