These instructions apply to the Isuzu MU-X Mk1 2013-2020.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
If the gear lever on your automatic Isuzu MU-X (2013–2020) won’t move out of ‘P’ — typically with a flat battery or a brake-switch fault — you can release it using the shift-lock override built into the lever. No tools needed.
The automatic MU-X uses a shift-lock interlock that keeps the lever trapped in Park until the ignition is on and you press the brake pedal. It is a deliberate safety feature that stops this heavy seven-seat SUV being nudged out of Park by accident. Because the interlock is electrically operated, though, it depends on the battery, the fuses and the brake-light switch all doing their job. If the battery is flat, a fuse has failed, or the brake switch has stopped sending its signal, the solenoid that should free the lever never releases and the car feels stuck in ‘P’. To keep you moving in that situation the lever includes a manual override, letting you free it by hand so you can roll the vehicle onto a trailer, out of a parking bay, or across to somewhere safer. It is a designed-in function, not a fault in itself.
How the Interlock Works on This Model
With the ignition live and your foot on the brake, a small solenoid pulls the shift-lock catch clear and the lever moves as normal. When no power reaches that solenoid, or the brake signal is missing, the catch stays engaged and the lever will not move however hard you press the release button. The manual override simply moves that catch mechanically, which is why the method has you hold the shift-lock release together with the usual lever button. Since you are stepping past a safety interlock, securing the MU-X first is vital — once ‘P’ is released, only the brakes are holding a large vehicle.
Before You Start — Safety
- Apply the parking brake and keep your foot on the brake — the vehicle can roll once ‘P’ is released.
- Park on level ground where you can before using the override.
- Consider chocking a wheel if there is any slope, as a loaded seven-seater carries real momentum.
- Check that the area around the vehicle is clear of people, especially children, before freeing the lever.
- Only move the lever when you are ready to control the vehicle and, if it is to be driven, the engine will start.
Releasing the Lever from Park
- Fully depress the brake pedal.
- Apply the parking brake.
- At the same time, press the gear-shift lock release button and press the gear-lever button.
- Move the gear lever out of ‘P’.
If It Won’t Release
- Keep firm pressure on the brake pedal as you operate the override — a gentle press may not be enough.
- Confirm you are pressing both buttons together, not in sequence, before trying to move the lever.
- If the battery is flat, charging or jump-starting it may restore the normal shift-lock so the override isn’t needed.
- Check the fuses and brake-light operation — brake lights that don’t work point to a failed brake switch as the cause.
- Never force the lever with a tool; if the manual override won’t shift it, stop and have the interlock inspected.
After Using the Override
- Have the cause checked — a flat battery or a faulty brake-light switch commonly triggers it.
- A stored fault can be read — look it up on autodtcs.com.
- Once the fault is fixed, check the lever moves normally with the brake pressed before you rely on the vehicle again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the shift-lock release on an MU-X?
It’s the shift-lock release button at the gear lever, pressed together with the lever button. On this generation it is part of the lever assembly rather than a separate hidden slot, so you operate it by hand while holding the brake and the parking brake.
Is it safe to use?
Only with the brake pressed and the parking brake applied — the vehicle can roll once out of ‘P’. Treat it as bypassing a safety interlock on a heavy SUV: secure the car first, keep people clear, and be ready to hold it on the brakes as soon as the lever leaves Park.
Why won’t my lever come out of P?
Often a flat battery or a brake-light switch fault stops the normal shift-lock from releasing. The interlock solenoid needs power and a valid brake signal to free the lever; if either is missing, the lever stays trapped until you use the manual override or restore the supply.
Do I need a tool?
No — it’s a built-in manual override. You free the lever by pressing the shift-lock release and the lever button together while holding the brake. If it still will not move, that suggests a mechanical fault rather than something a tool should be forced against.
Will the override fix the problem permanently?
No. It only frees the lever for now; it does not cure whatever stopped the interlock releasing. Once you are safe, have the battery, fuses and brake-light switch checked so the normal shift-lock works again and you are not depending on the override each time you drive.
Could a flat battery be the only cause?
Often, yes. A dead or weak battery leaves the interlock solenoid unpowered, so the lever locks in Park. Recharging or jump-starting frequently restores normal operation. If the battery is sound and the lever still sticks, look next at the brake-light switch and the related fuses.
If the lever stuck after a battery issue, see our MU-X battery guide, and decode any fault on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Isuzu. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.