This is the second time in approx 18 months that the alternator has failed. In the past 3-4 years, we have replaced the battery 4 times and the alternator twice. This is clearly not normal. A friend did some research and believes it is related to the TIPM, which has many reported problems and a few recalls.The previous failures were accompanied by mildly annoying electrical issues such as the radio not working, the A/C light flashing, the dashboard lights flickering, and various dashboard trouble lights illuminating, such as ABS, airbag, and tire pressure. Occasionally, the starter would fail to operate, then operate just fine after several attempts. After changing the alternator the first time, these electrical problems would occur randomly and intermittently then disappear. When we would take it in to be tested, the repair person would be mystified as to the cause, then claim he must have fixed it because it went away (temporarily). This time, when the alternator failed, the battery started to drain, the trouble lights went on and off, and then the transmission failed to shift from second gear to third gear. After approx 15 minutes of driving, it shifted. After another 15 minutes, it dropped into what had to be first gear and sent the RPM into the stratosphere. After immediately slowing down and shifting to neutral, it corrected itself.15 minutes later, we stopped at the first repair shop we could find (in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma).