🚨 2020 Toyota Sienna: Emergency Neutral
The 2020 Sienna uses a traditional console-mounted shift lever with 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
- Ensure the parking brake is firmly engaged and the vehicle is on level ground.
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON position if possible (battery permitting).
- Firmly depress and hold the brake pedal.
- Locate the shift lock override slot—it is a small covered opening directly to the left of the shifter base, near the console trim.
- Use a flat-blade screwdriver or similar tool to remove the small plastic cap covering the override slot.
- Insert the screwdriver or key fully into the override slot and press down firmly while simultaneously moving the shift lever to Neutral.
- If the vehicle has no power, you must supply 12V to the system (jump pack or donor vehicle) to energize the shift lock solenoid, as the mechanical override requires at least ACC power to function reliably.
- Once in Neutral, the vehicle can be moved or loaded onto a flatbed.
Shift-lock override location
Small covered slot directly to the left of the shifter base at the console, beneath a removable plastic cap.
With zero electrical power
With a completely dead battery, the shift lock override typically will not release the shifter even when the mechanical release is actuated, because the solenoid requires power. You must jump the 12V battery (under the hood) to at least ACC power before the override will work. If jumping is impossible, the vehicle must be dollied or flatbedded in Park.