4 Reasons Why Tesla Stuck in Park?

Tesla owners may sometimes face a frustrating situation where their car gets stuck in park mode, preventing them from driving or moving the car.

This can happen for various reasons and can cause inconvenience, embarrassment, and even danger for the driver and others.

In this article, we will explain what causes Tesla’s stuck-in-park problems, how to prevent them, and how to fix them if they occur.

What is Tesla Stuck in Park?

Tesla being stuck in the park is a problem where the car refuses to shift out of park mode, locking the wheels and making the car immobile.

This can happen when the car is parked or when it is in motion. The car may display some warnings or errors on the screen or it may go completely dark. The car may also not respond to the key fob or the touchscreen commands.

What Causes Tesla Stuck in Park?

There are several possible causes for Tesla’s stuck-in-park problems. Some of the most common ones are:

• A low or dead 12V battery that powers the electronics and sensors of the car. This can prevent the car from recognizing the key fob or shifting gears.
• A faulty brake switch fails to detect when the brake pedal is pressed. This can prevent the car from releasing the parking brake or shifting gears.
• A software glitch that causes the car to freeze or malfunction. This can prevent the car from responding to commands or displaying warnings.
• A physical obstruction or damage that prevents the wheels from moving. This can prevent the car from being pushed or towed.

How to Prevent Tesla Stuck in Park?

Tesla stuck-in-park problems can be prevented by following some simple maintenance and driving tips. Some of them are:

• Keep the 12V battery charged and replace it if needed. A jump starter or a portable charger can be used to temporarily boost the battery.
• Keep the key fob battery charged and replace it if needed. A spare key fob or a smartphone app can be used to unlock or start the car.
• Keep the brake switch clean and replace it if needed. A multimeter or a test light can be used to test the switch.
• Update the software regularly and reboot the car if needed. This can reset the software and clear any errors.
• Avoid parking in low-clearance or tight spaces that may obstruct or damage the wheels.

How to Fix Tesla Stuck in Park?

If Tesla is stuck in the park problems occur, and there are some solutions that can be tried to fix them. Some of them are:

• Reboot the car by holding down both scroll wheels on the steering wheel for 10 seconds. This can reset the software and clear any errors.
• Put the car in tow mode by pressing and holding the brake pedal and tapping Controls > Service > Tow Mode on the touchscreen. This can release the parking brake and allow the wheels to roll freely.
• Call Tesla roadside assistance or service center for help. They can remotely diagnose or fix the problem or send someone to assist.

Examples of Tesla Stuck in Park Incidents

Tesla stuck-in-park problems are rare but they do happen sometimes. Here are some examples of Tesla stuck-in-park incidents that made the headlines:

• In November 2021, a Tesla car that ran out of battery ended up blocking the entrance to a parking area of a shopping complex in London. The incident took place at London’s Westfield shopping center where the car, after its battery exhausted the charge, held up cars behind it for over 3 hours, leading to many expressing their frustration at the same on social media.
• In October 2021, Glenn Howerton, an actor from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “A.P. Bio”, described in a podcast a frustrating experience where his Tesla was stuck in a parking garage for over 24 hours. Howerton told his costars on “The Always Sunny Podcast” that he was locked out of his Tesla on Friday night after his key fob broke. He said he tried to contact Tesla support but they were unable to help him remotely start the car or send someone to fix it. He also said he couldn’t tow the car because it was too low for the tow truck to get under it.
• In June 2015, a Tesla owner posted on the Tesla Motors Club forum about his ordeal of getting his car stuck in park mode in a car wash.
• He said he put the car in neutral, raised the suspension, and leaned over to enter the passcode for the wash, but somehow the car went into park mode and refused to budge. He said he tried to reboot the car several times, put it in tow mode, and even got four guys to push it, but nothing worked. He said he had to wave away the line of cars behind him twice and call the service hotline, which hung up on him. He said he eventually got the car to start after sitting down and waiting for a while.

Conclusion

Tesla stuck in the park is a problem that can happen to any Tesla owner. It can cause inconvenience, embarrassment, and even danger for the driver and others.

However, there are ways to prevent or fix this problem by checking some common causes and trying some simple solutions. If all else fails, Tesla support is always available to help.