🚨 2012 Honda Accord: Emergency Neutral
The 2012 Accord CVT uses a traditional console-mounted shifter lever with a button on the side and electronic shift lock.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — cross-check against your owner’s manual when possible.
⚠️ 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
- Set the parking brake firmly and chock the wheels.
- Turn the ignition to ON (II) position if possible to provide power to the shift lock solenoid.
- Press and hold the brake pedal with your left foot.
- Press the shifter button and move to Neutral.
- If the brake-light switch has failed or there is no power: locate the shift lock override slot on the left side of the shifter base, near the console trim.
- Remove the small rectangular cover cap (you may need to pry gently with a flathead screwdriver).
- Insert a key, small screwdriver, or the override tool from the tool kit into the override slot.
- While pressing down on the override, press the shifter button and move to Neutral.
- Remove the override tool and replace the cover.
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the shifter base, beneath a small rectangular cover cap that must be pried off.
With zero electrical power
With completely dead battery: use the shift lock override slot on the left side of the shifter base. The override mechanically releases the shift lock mechanism, allowing you to move the shifter to Neutral without any electrical power. You will need to access it as described above.