Question

My gear shift is stuck in park. What should I do?

If your gear shift is stuck in park, it usually means your pawl is broken, your brake switch or shifter interlock failed, or your car's battery is dead.

You turn the key, press the brake, and nothing budges. Frustration sets in as the gear shift remains stubbornly stuck in park. If this has happened to you, don’t worry. It’s often due to a minor mechanical issue with your car.

Starting in the early 1990s, automatic cars have included a safety feature called a key-shift interlock. This locks the shifter in Park. To move it out of Park, the ignition must be in the ON or RUN position, and the key must be in the ignition.

The main components that lock and release the shifter are the ignition switch, brake light switch, and shift interlock solenoid. If one of these fails, you may need help to get the shifter out of Park.

In addition to component failure, there are other reasons the shifter may become stuck. For instance, if your car’s battery dies, the shifter can get stuck in Park. Another common reason is a damaged parking pawl.

The parking pawl acts as a lever that locks a gear in the transmission, preventing the car from moving when in Park. When another gear is selected, the pawl is supposed to release, but if it gets stuck, the shifter can remain locked in Park.

If the shifter linkage is loose, you can tighten it yourself or have a shop do it for $50 to $75. If the shifter cable is broken, a shop will charge between $125 and $250 to replace it. You could also purchase a new cable for $35 to $80 and install it yourself.

Why does the gear shift get stuck in park?

A broken parking pawl is a common reason an automatic car gets stuck in Park. It prevents the car from moving when in Park, but it can fail or get stuck.

Here are the most common reasons why the gear shift gets stuck in park:

Pressure on the parking pawl from parking on a hill

If you park on a steep hill, the parking pawl can get wedged into the gear and hold the car’s weight. This makes it hard to shift out of Park and can leave you stuck.

To fix this, you need to relieve the pressure before shifting. Usually, a second person can help by rocking the car back and forth until the gears release.

To prevent this, always set the parking brake before shifting into Park on a hill. This way, the car’s weight rests on the brake, not the parking pawl.

Shifter interlock

Most cars have a shifter interlock system to prevent shifting into drive or reverse by mistake. This system keeps the shifter in Park until the brake pedal is pressed.

Sometimes, the interlock system can fail while engaged. Most cars have a shift lock release, which lets you bypass the interlock and avoid getting stuck.

In some cars, you can bypass the shifter interlock by turning the key to the accessory position and moving the shifter to neutral. Then you can start the car.

If this doesn’t work, use the manual shift lock override. Locate the override slot near the shifter, as described in your owner’s manual. Insert a key or a small flathead screwdriver to press the release inside the slot. Hold it down while moving the shifter out of Park. Learn how to do this now so you’re prepared if your shifter gets stuck.

Brake switch failure

As mentioned earlier, most cars have a shifter interlock that can only be disengaged by pressing the brake pedal. A brake switch tells this system when the brake pedal is being pressed.

If this switch does not work, the interlock function may not disengage. The shift interlock will act as if the brake pedal was never pressed.

The easiest way to figure out what’s wrong is to have someone watch how your car’s brake lights work. If you press the brake pedal and the brake lights don’t come on, it’s likely because the brake switch is faulty. This is a possible diagnosis that can be checked with a multimeter later.

If your car’s brake switch is faulty, you will need to replace it to prevent this issue from happening again. This is usually a straightforward job that only requires a new sensor. Most auto parts stores carry brake sensors.

If none of these solutions resolve the issue, it is advisable to consult a professional mechanic, as a more complex mechanical problem may be present. In conclusion, while a stuck gear shift can often be attributed to minor issues such as brake switch failure or pressure on the parking pawl, understanding the underlying causes and appropriate troubleshooting steps can facilitate prompt resolution and prevent future occurrences.