These instructions apply to the Toyota Yaris Mk2 (P9) 2005-2013.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
If your automatic Toyota Yaris Mk2 (P9, 2005–2013) is stuck in Park and the gear selector won’t move — usually because of a flat 12 V battery, a blown fuse or a shift-interlock fault — you can release it manually so the car can be rolled or loaded onto a recovery truck. This guide shows the emergency park-release. It is a recovery step, not a repair.
When You Need This
The automatic Yaris locks the selector in P until the car has power, your foot is on the brake and the electronics release the shift-lock. If the battery is dead or a fault prevents that, the lever stays in P. The manual override frees the selector so you can select neutral.
Safety First
- Apply the parking brake or chock the wheels before releasing — the car can roll once it is in neutral.
- Work on level ground, or with the car already secured on a recovery vehicle.
How to Release the Yaris from Park
- Apply the parking brake (or chock the wheels).
- Depress the brake pedal.
- Then, depending on your selector:
- Type 1: press the unlock button on the selector and use a screwdriver in the slot, then move the lever out of P.
- Type 2: remove the small cover beside the selector, insert the ignition key and press it into the opening, then move the lever out of P. Refit the cover.
- Move the gear lever into N.
With the car in neutral it can be rolled or winched — keep it braked or chocked until it is secured.
After the Emergency Release
This only frees the car — it does not fix the cause. The most common reason is a flat or failing 12 V battery; once power is restored the selector works normally. See our Yaris battery guide if that was the cause. Toyota also advise having the cause checked afterwards — look up any stored code on autodtcs.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my automatic Yaris stuck in Park?
Almost always a flat 12 V battery or a blown fuse that stops the shift-lock releasing. A brake-light switch or selector fault can do the same.
Will I damage anything using the override?
No — the shift-lock override is designed for exactly this situation. Operate it gently and refit the cover afterwards.
Which type does my car have?
Look at the selector: a dedicated unlock button means Type 1; a small prise-off cover means Type 2 (use the ignition key in the opening). Use whichever matches.
The lever moves but the car won’t roll — why?
Make sure you reached neutral, the parking brake is released and the wheels are unchocked once you are ready to move it.
To clear a service reminder after related work, see our Toyota Yaris service indicator reset guide.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Toyota. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.