Q: Car stuck in neutral

asked by on January 21, 2016

The transmission on my Lexus is not engaging. It is acting like it is in neutral no matter what.

Hi there. There have been issues where the axle shaft breaks and the vehicle will be unmovable in any gear. The axle would have to be inspected to see if it is broken. Also, the problem could be internally in the transmission and it might need repairing. My recommendation is to have the system checked by a mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, to verify the failure and diagnose the cause.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Car makes noise, automatic window switch, and wiper fluid sprayer not working
A car can make a wide variety of noises for a wide variety of reasons, especially under load, so I would recommend having the vehicle driven by a knowledgable technician so that a conclusive diagnosis of the noise (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-making-a-noise-inspection) can...
Window fell into door
Hi, sounds to me like your window regulator has failed. You would need to take off your door panel. Disconnect the old window regulator and install new one. Reconnect electrical and test to see if the window functions properly. If...
Coolant leak
Hello! The easiest way to locate a coolant leak is to have the cooling system pressure tested, which can be performed when the engine is cold. The most likely failed component would be the coolant pump. It's usually good practice...
Backseats removable - 2015 Infiniti QX60
Hello. It is possible to remove the rear seats, however, they would need to be uninstalled completely. The rear seats are bolted down and have electric motors built into them so removal would require tools. If the QX60 does not...
Accidentally put steering fluid into the brake fluid
Hi there: You're going to want to flush your brake fluid lines as soon as possible; as power steering fluid and brake fluid are different types of hydraulic fluid designed to work in different hydraulic-based systems. You can contact one...
Transmission valve body
The 48RE valve body is designed to flow more transmission fluid and build up pressure quicker than the 47RE. This is quite likely the reason you are experiencing shifting problems. As you know, automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to...
The yellow light for audi air suspension is flashing. What is the problem? On servis house said, possible that sensors freeze
If you have a warning light on your dash related to your air suspension system, this can be due to a few different things. Sometimes the air bags will develop leaks over time. When one of the air bags deveops...
Car diagnoses says bad thermostat and shop said they had to replace the whole housing system as it isn't separate
I have verified that the thermostat is only replaced with the housing since the housing and thermostat are built together and not sold or replaced separately.
What does my car randomly stall/cut out at all speeds and idling in park. in my 2006 Chrysler 300
Hello. It sounds like you have had a lot of work done trying to fix this issue. It sounds like you either have a communication wiring issue or an ignition switch that is failing. I usually test the ignition switch...

Related articles

How a Cable Clutch System Works
If If you drive a car with a manual transmission, you know that to get your car moving, you depress the clutch pedal, choose a gear, and then give the vehicle a bit of gas. But have you ever wondered...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Support Bearing
Common signs include unusual noises and shuddering during acceleration.
How Long Does a Kickdown Cable Last?
In In order for a car to run smoothly, the engine and the transmission will have to work together. With all of the different components in the engine and transmission of a car, keeping up with them all can be...