1998 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

I STOPPED IN A LEVEL DRIVEWAY, PUT THE CAR IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE IDLING, AND GOT OUT TO UNLOCK A GATE. WHILE I WAS OUTSIDE THE CAR, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO REVERSE, AND THE CAR DROVE BACKWARD ACROSS THE STREET AND INTO THE NEIGHBOR'S TREE. I MANAGED TO CATCH UP WITH THE CAR THERE AND SWITCH IT OFF. THE BUMPER, LEFT REAR TAILLIGHT AND LEFT REAR FENDER WERE DAMAGED. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ABLE TO REPEAT WHAT HAD HAPPENED (IE. PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AND HAVING IT FALL INTO REVERSE). CHRYSLER REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALER REPAIRED THE DAMAGE AT NO COST AND TIGHTENED THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE.*AK