🚨 2019 Nissan Frontier: Emergency Neutral
The 2019 Frontier uses a traditional console-mounted floor shifter with electronic shift lock controlled by the brake-light switch.
🧰 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
- Ensure the parking brake is firmly engaged and wheels are chocked.
- Turn the ignition key to the ACC or ON position if battery power is available.
- Locate the shift lock override slot—it is a small rectangular opening covered by a plastic cap on the left side of the shifter base, near the driver's side.
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or similar tool to carefully pry off the plastic cap covering the override slot.
- Insert the screwdriver or a key into the override slot and push down firmly while simultaneously pressing the shifter button and moving the shifter to Neutral.
- If the vehicle starts and runs, you can then shift normally; otherwise keep the override tool inserted to move between Park and Neutral as needed.
- Replace the cap after moving the vehicle.
Shift-lock override location
Left side of the shifter base, covered by a small rectangular plastic cap
With zero electrical power
With a completely dead battery, the shift lock override still works mechanically. Follow the same override procedure—you do not need electrical power to release the shifter using the manual override. The key does not need to be turned if there is no power available.