Component
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
1,149 NHTSA complaints about power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl) issues across 43 makes and 307 models.
Data updated August 2026. Counts render from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation standardized component field; severity flags cross-reference NHTSA ODI complaint flags for owner-reported crash, fire, and injury markers. This page is for informational purposes and does not replace NHTSA recall notices or a vehicle-specific inspection. Methodology · Corrections.
NHTSA ODI component intake brief
ODI category POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
1,149 filings · 307 models · 43 makes · vintage August 2026
- FILINGS MODERATE 1,149 ODI rows
- MODELS 307 nameplates citing this part
- MAKES 43 manufacturers in corpus
- CRASH 12.7% 146 crash-flagged
- RANK #143 of 696 categories
- SEV INJURY 2 deaths · 72 injuries
Filing-volume peers
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) sits MODERATE on ODI intake volume (#143 of 696 standardized categories) with a INJURY severity stamp (2 reported fatalities across 307 models). Open Ford Explorer (category leader) →
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) model-concentration reading
The standout signal for power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl) is model concentration: Ford Explorer accounts for 46 filings (4.0% of this category) out of 1,149 total.
Moderate-volume categories still show a fingerprint in the model table below, cross-check each nameplate's recall and investigation history before inferring a defect pattern.
Next step: compare Ford Explorer against EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH on filing totals before treating power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl) volume as a purchase signal.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Explorer | |
| 2 | Dodge Dakota | |
| 3 | Ford Contour | |
| 4 | Ford F-150 | |
| 5 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | |
| 6 | Ford Taurus | |
| 7 | Dodge Caravan | |
| 8 | Ford Windstar | |
| 9 | Ford Expedition | |
| 10 | Dodge RAM 2500 | |
| 11 | Ford Escape | |
| 12 | Dodge Intrepid | |
| 13 | Dodge Durango | |
| 14 | Toyota Camry | |
| 15 | Honda Accord | |
| 16 | Mercury Sable | |
| 17 | Jeep Cherokee | |
| 18 | Dodge Grand Caravan | |
| 19 | Plymouth Voyager | |
| 20 | Ford Aerostar | |
| 21 | Mercury Mystique | |
| 22 | Isuzu Rodeo | |
| 23 | Dodge RAM 1500 | |
| 24 | Dodge RAM | |
| 25 | Chevrolet Silverado | |
| 26 | Buick Century | |
| 27 | Pontiac Grand Prix | |
| 28 | KIA Sephia | |
| 29 | Ford Escort | |
| 30 | Chrysler Town AND Country |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2025 Freightliner M2. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH and driving over a bump, the contact’s leg struck the gear shifter, shifting the gear shifter into neutral. The
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the “4WD Service Unavailable” warning light was illuminated and failed to turn off. The contact stated that there was oil leaking from th
Please see attachment:
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the gear shifter was stuck in park(P). The contact stated that the failure occurred while the temperature was hot. The contact stated after
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated that the shift to park message was displayed. The vehicle failed to recognize the gear that transmission was shifted into. The message “Steering
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in a parking bay with a small inclination, the shift gear was shifted into park, however, the shift gear did not f
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked violently and downshifted unexpectedly to first gear. The shifting lights began to flas
The contact owns a 2017 Ram 1500. The contact stated the gear shift/rotary dial had seized in place. The vehicle failed to shift into park, and the key failed to release from the ignition switch. Whil
The contact’s daughter owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that on several occasions when shifted to park(P), the gear shift indicator failed to show the vehicle in park(P). The cont
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was in the driveway, the vehicle was shifted into park and the parking brake message was illuminated. The contact
The vehicle was driven into the garage, driver pressed park then engine stop. Driver and passenger exited vehicle, opened both rear doors and retrieved items from the rear seats. Closed rear doors. N
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, there was a popping sound detected. The vehicle veered to the left, lost control, and crashed into an unknown Jee
The contact owns a 2015 Chrysler 200. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the parking brake message was displayed. The driver checked the brakes and continued driving. There was an abnormal beepi
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated while shifting the vehicle into reverse, the gear indicator failed to display the gear position. The contact stated that after restarting the veh
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the gear shift knob was seized on several occasions. After waiting for hours, the gear shifter was able to operate as needed. There were no
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was utilizing the shifter knob, she cut her hand on the chrome shifting knob. The chrome edge was very sharp. There were no
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the windshield wipers were in the on position, the wipers went off the vehicle and had to be pushed back into place. There was an u
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the shifter selector assembly had sharp edges. There were sharp edges on the side of the dial. The contact sustained injuries to her finger
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact started the vehicle, and the power train malfunction indicator lamp warning light illuminated. Th
Please note this was in our driveway and we have a video of the incident. Driver parked the car on slight hill and engaged the parking break and exited the vehicle. The car was still "On". Driver open
Related Vehicle Components
Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.