What to Do When the Gear Switch of an Automatic Car Fails?

[KendraLee]

Shifting gears involves moving the gear from P to D or R, which can cause a jolt, especially during upshifting when the engine RPM momentarily drops. Then, as you press the accelerator, the RPM will rise again. During this process, there may be a noticeable jolt or jerking sensation when shifting gears or upshifting.

[FaithRose]

My automatic transmission car also had a gear switch malfunction a couple of days ago. The dashboard warning light came on when starting the vehicle, and there was no response at all when shifting into D gear. In such cases, never force it—I immediately turned on the hazard lights and slowly coasted to a safe spot on the roadside. I recommend contacting a professional repair shop directly to call for roadside assistance, as these kinds of electronic component failures are difficult to handle on your own. The mechanic performed a quick on-site inspection and replaced the gear position sensor for me, which took about half a day in total. It’s important to regularly clean the gear shift lever, especially if you often drive in dusty environments, to prevent debris from getting into the switch. After replacing the part, shifting is now very smooth, and there have been no more gear recognition errors.