Update on this topic. The body shop has replaced hte whole instrument
cluster on the vehicle to get around this problem. Now the problem
seems to have disappeared. But unfortunately, they say that if they
replace the instrument cluster, the mileage on the car goes to "0"
(zero), so they have some legal sticker on my car, which says the
odometer is not the original. This is the downside of the fix. Atleast
I am happy the problem is solved.

-- John