These instructions apply to the Renault Kadjar Mk1 (XFE) 2015-2022.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
An EDC dual-clutch Renault Kadjar (XFE, 2015–2022) that won’t come out of P — usually a flat battery or a shift-interlock fault — has an emergency release in the cabin so you can move it. No under-car work and nothing high-voltage. This override is built into every automatic Kadjar for exactly this situation, so a dead 12 V battery can never leave the car mechanically trapped in Park. The job takes only a couple of minutes and needs nothing more than a slim screwdriver or the tool supplied with the car.
Why the Lever Locks in Park
The selector is held in P by an electric shift interlock that only releases when the ignition is on and the brake pedal is pressed, so the car can’t be knocked out of Park by accident. Because that lock is powered, a flat battery or a faulted interlock leaves nothing to energise the release and the lever stays pinned. The emergency override gives you a mechanical way past the interlock so the car can be freed and recovered even with no power reaching the gearbox.
Getting Ready
- Apply the parking brake or chock a wheel before you release it — once out of P the car can roll.
- Work on level ground where you can, and never release the lever pointing down a slope.
- Keep someone on the brake in the driver’s seat if there is any gradient at all.
- Decide where the car is going — clear of an obstruction or onto a transporter — before you free it.
- Have a slim flat-bladed screwdriver or the supplied tool to hand; nothing else is required.
Releasing from Park
- Keep the brake pedal pressed (or the parking brake set).
- Unclip the trim panel around the gear lever to expose the release point.
- At the marked override, press the release with a slim screwdriver or the supplied tool while you move the lever.
- Shift out of ‘P’ into neutral, then withdraw the tool.
- Refit the trim.
Treat this as an emergency move to get the car mobile, not a repair — it is worth having the interlock and EDC checked afterwards.
If It Won’t Release
- Keep the brake firmly pressed throughout, or the interlock can stay partly engaged.
- Press the release and move the lever together — the lever only frees while the override is held down.
- Check the trim panel is fully unclipped so the marked override is exposed and can travel.
- If the battery is flat, a jump pack or a boost often revives the normal interlock, so the override may not be needed.
- If the lever still won’t move with a healthy battery, stop and have the interlock and EDC checked rather than forcing it.
Afterwards
This only lets you reposition the car — off a driveway or onto a transporter. If a flat battery caused it, deal with the 12 V battery; once it is charged the interlock should behave normally again and nothing further needs resetting. If it locks again with a healthy battery, have the interlock and EDC checked before relying on the car.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Kadjar EDC won’t leave Park — how do I move it?
Parking brake on, unclip the lever trim, press the marked release with a screwdriver and move the lever out of P into neutral. With the override held the interlock frees and the car can be pushed or driven onto a transporter.
Is this safe to do myself?
Yes — it’s a cabin override with no electrical or high-voltage risk. The one hazard is the car rolling once it is out of Park, so secure it first so it can’t roll and keep a foot ready on the brake.
Why did it lock in Park?
Most often a flat 12 V battery, which leaves the interlock with no power to release, or less commonly a fault in the interlock itself. The override gets you moving until that root cause is fixed.
Do I need a special tool?
No — a slim flat-bladed screwdriver presses the release, and some cars carry a small supplied tool for the job. There is no dealer-only equipment involved in the emergency release.
Will the gearbox be fine once the battery is charged?
If a flat battery was the only cause, yes — recharge or replace it and the EDC will select drive and Park normally again. If the lock happened with a good battery, have the interlock and gearbox diagnosed before you trust it.
Could I damage the trim doing this?
Not if you unclip it gently around the edges instead of levering hard in one place. The panel is meant to come away for this exact task, so a little patience with the clips is all that is needed.
If a dead battery was behind it, see our Kadjar battery guide. For a stored transmission code, look it up on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Renault. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.