Happend to my 99 Cougar as well around 23K miles. However, my problem wasn't the cable breaking at the tower, it was the linkage into the tranny that sheered the retaining bolt
Attempts to "fish" it out at the dealer failed and they had to drop the tranny and "rebuild" it (replace all seals) because the bolt end was at the bottom of the gear box housing. Luckily, no hard-parts where damaged. However, if it had been out of pocket, the cost would have been roughly $1,200 ... covered under warranty THANK GOD!!!
