Release the Shift Lock (Stuck in Park)

Last updated: June 8, 2026

If the gear lever on your Lexus LS (2006–2017) won’t move out of P — typically after a flat 12 V battery or a shift-lock fault — there’s an emergency release built into the console so you can free the lever and move the car. It takes a screwdriver and a minute.

When You Need This

• The gear lever is stuck in ‘P’ and won’t shift even with the brake pressed.
• Common after a flat or disconnected 12 V battery, or a shift-lock solenoid fault.

Releasing the Lever

1. Apply the parking brake (or chock the wheels) so the car can’t roll.
2. Prise off the small cover next to the gear lever with a flat screwdriver — this exposes the release button.
3. Press and hold the unlock button down.
4. While holding it, move the lever out of ‘P’, then release the button.
5. Refit the cover — the procedure is complete.

After You’ve Freed It

• If this happened because of a flat 12 V battery, charge or renew it — see our LS battery guide.
• If the lever keeps sticking with a healthy battery, the shift-lock solenoid or brake-light switch may be faulty — that usually stores a code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Lexus LS stuck in Park?

Most often a flat 12 V battery or a shift-lock fault stops the lever releasing; the console emergency release frees it.

Where is the shift-lock release?

Under a small removable cover beside the gear lever — prise the cover off to reach the button.

Is it safe to do myself?

Yes — apply the parking brake or chock the wheels first so the car can’t roll.

It keeps sticking — what now?

With a good battery, a sticking lever points to the shift-lock solenoid or brake-light switch; look up any stored code on autodtcs.com.

For the underlying battery fix, see our LS battery disconnect/reconnect guide.