These instructions apply to the Honda Accord Mk7 (CL/CM) 2003-2008.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
On the seventh-generation European Honda Accord (CL/CM saloon and Tourer, 2003–2008 — the sibling of the Acura TSX), the automatic gear lever needs power and a pressed brake pedal to leave ‘P’. If the battery is flat or the shift interlock has failed, the lever locks in Park. This is the manual override to free it.
Before you start
- Apply the parking brake firmly so the car cannot roll once the lever leaves ‘P’.
- If you are on any slope, chock a wheel before you begin.
- Have a flat-blade screwdriver to hand for prising up the console cover.
Releasing the Gear Selector — Step by Step
- Apply the parking brake (handbrake).
- Remove the key from the ignition.
- Prise up the small cover on the centre console at the base of the gear selector, using a flat-blade screwdriver carefully to lift it free.
- Insert the ignition key into the exposed shift-lock release opening and press the key down into the slot.
- Keep the key pressed and move the gear lever out of ‘P’ into ‘N’.
- Remove the key from the release slot.
- Refit the cover, pressing it back into place.
After the Emergency Release
Treat the override as a get-you-moving measure, not a repair. Once you have shifted out of ‘P’, have the cause of the lock checked by a Honda dealer or a qualified garage — if the lever refuses to leave Park with a charged battery and the brake pressed, that points to a shift-interlock fault. If a flat battery was to blame, sort the charging or replacement side of things too; our Honda Accord battery disconnect/reconnect guide walks through doing that safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my Accord come out of ‘P’?
The brake-shift interlock that unlocks the lever needs battery power and a pressed brake pedal. A flat or disconnected battery, or a failed interlock, leaves the lever stuck in Park until you use the manual release.
Do I need the ignition key or a screwdriver to release it?
Both. The screwdriver only lifts the small cover at the base of the selector; the ignition key is what you press down into the exposed shift-lock slot to free the lever.
Is it safe to drive after using the emergency release?
Only far enough to reach help. The override bypasses the interlock, so the underlying fault — a flat battery or a failed interlock — still needs checking by a dealer or garage before you rely on the car again.
Where is the release cover on the Accord?
It is the small trim cover on the centre console right at the base of the gear selector. Prise it up gently with a flat-blade screwdriver to reach the shift-lock slot beneath.
If the lever locking in Park came alongside a warning light or a stored fault, you can look up what the code means on autodtcs.com before booking the interlock check.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Honda. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.