🚨 2014 Toyota Venza: Emergency Neutral
The 2014 Venza features a console-mounted electronic shifter with push-button release and electronic shift lock interlock.
✓ 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 parking brake is firmly engaged and the vehicle is on level ground.
- Attempt to turn the ignition to ON or ACC position (push START button twice without brake pedal if equipped with push-button start).
- Locate the shift lock override cover—a small rectangular plastic cover on the console near the left side of the shifter base.
- Use a small flat-head screwdriver or trim tool to carefully pry off the override cover.
- With the ignition in ON or ACC, insert a screwdriver or similar tool into the override slot and press down firmly.
- While holding the override down and pressing the shifter button, move the shifter from Park to Neutral.
- If successful, release the override and remove the tool; the shifter should remain in Neutral.
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular plastic cover on the console to the left side of the shifter base, near the driver's side of the shifter assembly.
With zero electrical power
With a completely dead battery, the push-button start will not activate and the shift lock remains engaged. You must jump the 12V battery enough to power the body control systems and allow ignition-on status, or the override will not release the shifter. If jumping is not possible, the vehicle must be loaded onto a flatbed with wheels free (not in Park mechanically). Note that even with override, the transmission is still in Park mechanically until shifted.