Why can't the Accord shift out of P gear?
2 Answers
Accord can't shift out of P gear for the following reasons and solutions: Gear shift lock mechanism failure: The Accord transmission being stuck in P gear and unable to shift may be due to a gear shift lock mechanism failure or a lock solenoid circuit failure. You can remove the shift cable, inspect the cable, and try operating it to see if it can shift into other gears. Gear lock: It could also be due to gear lock or incomplete braking when parking, directly entering P gear, causing gear braking instead of brake braking. If the entire vehicle cannot power on, the automatic transmission will self-protect and won't shift. In this case, you can perform a gear unlock by pressing the black button above the transmission P gear to unlock it.
I've encountered many Accord owners reporting issues with the P gear getting stuck. The most common cause is not pressing the brake pedal firmly enough. Before shifting gears in an automatic transmission vehicle, you must step on the brake to unlock it. If the brake light switch is faulty, the transmission won't receive the signal. A weak battery is also a hidden culprit, as insufficient voltage can prevent the shift solenoid from functioning. Last time, a customer couldn't shift gears at all while parked on a steep slope. I advised them to first firmly engage the parking brake, then gently rock the car to release the locking gear. If these methods don't work, there's an 80% chance the issue is a broken spring inside the shift mechanism or a faulty solenoid valve. In such cases, never force the gear lever—repairing a damaged transmission can cost tens of thousands. It's safer to call a tow truck and have it inspected at a professional shop.
