Q: My car drives forward when it's in reverse - is this the transmission?

asked by on November 06, 2016

I can start my truck in sounds like it has a load on it I can put it in to reverse an it will drive forward in reverse

My car has 150000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car is hard to shift Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

The linkage between the shifter and the transmission range selector may be binding or broken and not allowing a full range of movement at the transmission. The linkage connects to the transmission under the vehicle so it must be lifted or the mechanic may have to crawl under to check out the linkage. If the connections and linkage cable are good, there may be a mechanical problem inside the transmission. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come out and take a closer look at your shifting problem to offer a personal diagnosis.

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

Can slamming car doors lead to rattling noises in the door?
Slamming your car doors is not good for your car in the long run. Violent actions like this eventually loosen the fasteners that hold your doors together, not to mention that you could also shatter the windows in the doors....
Dead battery on car.
The battery is a key component for the car to start. The car uses the battery at start up to provide power to the starter. Once the car starts the alternator takes over the job of supplying the car with...
Check Tire Pressure Light
Hello. The first thing I would do is make sure that the tire in question is inflated to proper pressure (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-add-air-to-your-tires). If the pressure is low (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-do-i-check-my-tire-pressure), even by a few pounds, it may set off the tire pressure light....
I think a GPS tracking device has been placed on my car into the wiring underneath dashboard panel
As you may know, GPS tracking devices (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-find-a-tracker-hidden-in-your-car) are "sometimes" surreptitiously installed on motor vehicles by law enforcement. Typically though, these are exterior (underbody) installations and the practice is not all that common. Nevertheless, as we would have no way...
My s80 cranks but wont start.
Check carefully under the hood to be sure there are no air large air leaks in the intake system, such as the big boot at the throttle body or any other large vacuum hoses. Sometimes these rubber parts fail and...
Reinstalled my transmission and now I hear a ticking noise.
Hi there. My guess would be that the flywheel is not properly installed; especially if the ticking noise rapidly increases as the engine RPM increases. If the noise is consistent regardless of the RPM, it's probably a loose bracket or...
Will a 02 chevy impala transmission fit 05 monte carlo
I looked up the two applications. The two transmissions are different and, in particular, the transmission control module and PCM and the wiring harness on your 2005 Monte Carlo will not be compatible with the controls on the 2002 Impala...
My 2008 Mini Cooper S has a check engine light on and the code is P0977.
The code P0977 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0977-obd-ii-trouble-code-shift-solenoid-b-control-circuit-high-by-brady-klopfer) will set if the transmission control module (TCM) records an abnormal voltage reading from a shift solenoid in the transmission. A vehicle with the P0977 trouble code will generally be driveable but due to the potential...
Using conventional 80W90 gear oil instead of FS 75W90 can be a problem ?
The gear oil you put in the transmission will not cause the transmission to slip or cause loss of power due to clutch slippage. You should only use the recommended oils in the transmission or it may damage bearings and...

Related articles

What Causes a Car to Stall?
You trust your car. You may not think about it, but you believe that certain functions will occur without fail. You may be aware...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Crankshaft Harmonic Balancer
Common signs include engine vibration, misaligned timing marks, and a separated harmonic balancer.
How Long Does a Shift Selector Cable Last?
When When you put your gear selector in drive, you expect to be able to move forward. When you shift to reverse, you expect the car to back up. When everything’s working right, that’s what happens. However, if there is...