Release the Gear Selector from Park (Emergency)

Last updated: June 5, 2026

If your automatic Toyota C-HR (2016–2023) is stuck in Park and the gear selector will not 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 trailer. This guide shows the emergency park-release for the C-HR CVT automatic. It is a recovery step, not a repair.

When You Need This

On the automatic C-HR the selector is locked 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 stops that happening, the lever stays in P and the parking pawl keeps the car immobile. The shift-lock override lets you select neutral mechanically.

Safety First

• Apply the parking brake or block 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 C-HR from Park

1. Apply the parking brake (or block the wheels) and turn the ignition off.
2. Depress the brake pedal.
3. Next to the gear selector, use a screwdriver (wrap tape on sharp edges) to prise off the shift-lock release button cover.
4. At the same time: press and hold the gear-shift lock button down, and press and hold the release button in the opening.
5. With both held, move the gear lever out of position P (into N). The parking lock is now released.
6. Refit the cover. The car 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. If the battery was the cause, see our C-HR battery disconnect/reconnect guide. If the battery is healthy but it keeps sticking, a fault will be stored — look it up on autodtcs.com, and Toyota recommend having the cause checked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my automatic C-HR stuck in Park?

Almost always a flat 12 V battery or blown fuse that prevents the shift-lock releasing. A brake-light switch or selector fault can do the same.

Does this apply to the hybrid C-HR?

The shift-lock override principle is the same on the e-CVT, but always confirm against your handbook — and on a hybrid, never touch the orange high-voltage cabling.

Will I damage anything?

No — the shift-lock override is designed for exactly this. Operate it gently and refit the cover afterwards.

The lever moves but the car won’t roll — why?

Make sure you reached neutral, the parking brake is off and the wheels are unblocked once you are ready to move.

To clear a service reminder after related work, see our Toyota C-HR service indicator reset guide.