🚨 2022 Chrysler Pacifica: Emergency Neutral
The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid uses a console-mounted electronic monostable (return-to-center) rotary shifter that requires electrical power for normal operation.
✓ Expert-verified by Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — master technicians, 20+ years each.
⚠️ Chock the wheels first — neutral means the car can roll. Set the parking brake while you work, never stand downhill of the vehicle, and try a 12-volt jump before any override: power fixes most stuck-in-park problems instantly.
The procedure
- Ensure the vehicle is on level ground and the parking brake is engaged.
- If the 12V battery is dead, you must jump-start or charge the battery enough to power the vehicle's electronics—the electronic shifter will not function without power.
- Once power is restored, press the brake pedal and start the vehicle or turn the ignition to ON/RUN mode.
- Rotate the shifter dial counterclockwise to select Neutral.
- If the brake-light switch has failed but the battery is good, attempt the shift lock override: locate the small circular or rectangular cover on the front left side of the center console shifter base.
- Pry off the cover with a small flathead screwdriver.
- Insert the screwdriver into the override slot and press down while rotating the shifter to Neutral.
- For flat-towing or extended towing, you MUST enable Transport Mode (Tow Mode): with the vehicle running, shift to Neutral, then within 5 seconds press and hold the Neutral button/override for approximately 10-15 seconds until the instrument cluster displays 'Transport Mode Active.'
- WARNING: The Pacifica Hybrid must be transported on a flatbed or with all four wheels off the ground if Transport Mode cannot be activated. Towing with the drive wheels on the ground without Transport Mode will cause severe transmission and hybrid system damage.
Shift-lock override location
Small cover on the front left side of the center console shifter base, near the rotary dial.
With zero electrical power
The electronic shifter is entirely dependent on 12V power. With a completely dead battery, you cannot shift out of Park without jump-starting or charging the battery first. There is no purely mechanical override that works without any electrical power. If the vehicle must be moved with zero power, it must be winched onto a flatbed in Park.
⚡ EV / hybrid warning
The Pacifica Hybrid MUST be placed in Transport Mode (Tow Mode) before flat-towing or any towing with wheels on the ground. Failure to activate Transport Mode will result in severe damage to the hybrid transmission and electric drive components. If Transport Mode cannot be engaged due to electrical failure, the vehicle MUST be transported on a flatbed with all four wheels off the ground. Do NOT attempt to tow this hybrid vehicle conventionally without Transport Mode active.