Subaru Stuck in Park | Manually Shift into Neutral
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Can’t move your Subaru gear shifter, and it is stuck in Park? Learn how to fix the problem by shifting the gear manually.
How to Manually Shift into Neutral in a Subaru
Procedure
- Set the parking brake so your Subaru won’t roll or move when you move the shifter out of the Park.
- Remove the small plastic cover near the shifter. This will expose the shifter release.
- Press the brake pedal and keep it pressed.
- Insert a screwdriver and press down on the shift lock, moving the shifter out of Park at the same time.
Is your Subaru stuck in Park? These instructions show you how to use the shifter lock release to get a Subaru out of Park and place it in reverse or drive.
This will allow you to move the shifter out of the Park and drive. This works on the Subaru Impreza, Outback, Crosstrek, Forester, etc.
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Common Problems
Some common problems can cause a Subaru to get stuck in Park.
- Brake light Switch: A common problem is preventing your Subaru shifter from moving out of Park. Easy, inexpensive fix.
- Shifter : The shifter release mechanism or the shifter itself may be broken.
- Shifter Interlock : On older models, it is equipped with a cable that runs from the brake pedal to the shifter to prevent one from moving the car without pressing the brake pedal.
Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Subaru.
