Lexus Won’t Go in Reverse | Stuck In Park

Your Lexus won’t go in reverse for several reasons ranging from a brake light switch, low transmission fluid level, and even a dead battery. This guide will discuss the common problems preventing your Lexus shifter from moving to Reverse, Neutral, or Drive.

If you are stranded because your Lexus won’t go in Reverse or come out of Park, manually override the shifter. Next to the shifter, you will notice a small cap shaped like a rectangle. Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the cap. Press the screwdriver in the exposed hole and simultaneously move the shifter out of the park.

Common Problems Why Your Lexus Won’t Go In Reverse

Brake Light Switch

A faulty brake light switch is one of the most common reasons you can’t get your Lexus out of Park or from Drive to Park. The brake light switch is mounted above the brake pedal. Even if your brake lights are working, the brake light switch can be faulty because it has several switches inside.

Low transmission fluid level

When your car’s transmission fluid is low, you may face problems with the transmission. Low transmission fluid can cause gear-related problems, like shifting, overheating gears, and gear slippage.

If your transmission is low in fluid amount, then your reverse gear may be affected. If your vehicle has a low fluid, you will face shifting problems with all gears. However, if your vehicle drives fine but does not go in reverse, you should still check the fluid level.

Faulty Position Sensor

When you use the shift lever to reverse your automatic transmission car, the sensor signals the car’s control module to shift the transmission into reverse. If the sensor has malfunctioned, the vehicle doesn’t shift into reverse. In such cases, the car may get into limp mode, and your car will not shift above the third gear. Check the engine light and any trouble codes through the diagnostic tool and evaluate the sensor’s fault.

Valve Body

The automatic transmission of your car comes with a valve body. A maze-like component directs the hydraulic fluid’s flow into the valve. And this allows smooth shifting of the gears whenever required.

In case the valve body is faulty, you may face a delay in shifting. The car may not go into reverse, or in worst cases, nothing happens when you try to shift to reverse. In this case, you will have to take the vehicle to the repair shop.

Fault in Shifter Mechanism

If you cannot reverse your car with manual transmission or feel difficulty shifting, this is usually due to the malfunctioning of the shifter mechanism. Sometimes you may find it difficult to shift to reverse or feel that something is blocking the shifter while you try shifting in reverse.  This can be due to a damaged or bent link from the shifter lever to transmission.

Transmission Filter

On high mileage Lexus vehicles, the transmission fluid may have been contaminated with enough dirt or hardened deposits that can affect the vehicle’s shifting into reverse and gears. To fix the issue, you may have to change the transmission filter and fluid. If you face problems with the gear and transmission system, you should check the transmission fluid’s condition and see whether there is a need to replace it or not.

Ignition Interlock

The main purpose of the ignition interlock in your car is to prevent accidental shifting of reverse gear while the car is moving or getting the car out of Park when the ignition is off. Prevention of shifting is required as this could be very dangerous, and it also causes serious damage to the transmission system.

If the ignition Interlock is misaligned or damaged, you may face problems shifting the gear onto reverse even in standstill conditions. To fix this, you will have to get the Ignition Interlock replaced. If the transmission is stuck and you cannot shift in reverse, you might face a problem every time it is parked. If you are stuck because your Lexus won’t come out of Park, use the manual override option to get the car out of Park.

We hope you find the Lexus Won’t Go in Reverse | Stuck In Park guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Lexus.