🚨 2015 Toyota Sienna: Emergency Neutral
The 2015 Sienna uses a console-mounted shifter lever with electronic shift lock and a push-button release on the shifter handle.
🧰 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 vehicle is on a level surface and set the parking brake firmly.
- Turn the ignition key to the ACC or ON position if the battery has any charge remaining.
- Locate the shift lock override—there is a small rectangular slot with a removable plastic cap on the right side of the shifter base (passenger side), near where the shifter meets the console trim.
- Use a small flathead screwdriver to carefully pry off the plastic cap covering the override access.
- Insert a flathead screwdriver or similar tool into the exposed slot and push down firmly.
- While holding the tool down in the override slot, press the shifter release button and move the shifter to Neutral.
- Keep the override tool depressed until the shifter is fully seated in Neutral position.
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular slot with plastic cap on the right side (passenger side) of the shifter base where it meets the console.
With zero electrical power
The shift lock override is mechanical and functions without electrical power. With a completely dead battery, insert the tool into the override slot and press down while moving the shifter. The mechanical override directly disengages the shift lock solenoid pin. You may need to turn the key to ACC to unlock the steering column (this is mechanical even with no power).