General Motors (GM) is under scrutiny for continued issues with the “Shift to Park” defect that prevents drivers from shutting off and locking their vehicles. This issue affects owners and lessees of many GMC and Chevrolet model vehicles.
Many of the complaints regarding the shift-to-park issues involve drivers who are forced to constantly wiggle and move the electronic shifter to get it to recognize that the shifter has been placed in the ‘Park’ position.
This has resulted in drivers getting trapped in their vehicles because the vehicles fail to shift to the ‘Park’ position preventing people from being able to exit their vehicles.
Drivers report that their vehicles routinely fail to recognize that they have been placed into park and display a message urging them to “Shift to Park.”
When this happens, drivers can be left stranded in their vehicles as they are unable to shut them off. Affected vehicles may also roll away if they are not properly in Park.
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Is There a GMC Shift to Park Recall in 2025?
No, there is no official recall taking place for the GMC shift to park problem. However, there have been technical service bulletins for this issue since at least 2018, such as TSB PIT5616A.
This TSB discussed a “Shift to Park” message that would appear even when affected vehicles are in “PARK.” GM told dealers that affected vehicles may not shut off while in “PARK” and can fail to start due to an “unknown” cause.
Although the TSB offers directions to help fix the issue, the bulletin ends by saying that it will be updated once “the final root is understood.”
This TSB involved 2017 and 2018 GMC Acadia vehicles, although several other vehicles like the Chevrolet Malibu, Volt, Traverse, and Blazer can also manifest the defect.
Since then, TSB 23-NA-119 was issued in November 2023 and also discusses the same “Shift to Park” message appearing.
What makes this TSB different is that it identifies a potential cause for the issue, stating that “the condition may be caused by a malfunction of the park switch inside of the shifter assembly.”
Technicians are instructed to inspect the terminals at the park switch and replace them if they appear spread or damaged.
The TSB notes the defect to be present in Buick Encore vehicles from 2020-2023, as well as 2021-2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2020-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles.
How GM Dealers Are Attempting to Fix the Problem
As mentioned, the TSBs discuss several things technicians can do to try to fix the problem. The initial 2018 TSB largely discusses troubleshooting methods for technicians to identify the source of the problem.
Those include observing the shift boot and its position, observing the park switch voltage, and verifying that certain cables were properly connected.
With the updated TSB where a cause has been identified, technicians are instructed to inspect the terminals as stated and replace them if need be.
Is There a GM Shift to Park Lawsuit?
Yes, but it only covers older models ranging from 2016 to 2019 model year vehicles. That lawsuit covers the 2017- 2019 GMC Acadia, the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer, 2016-2019 Chevrolet Malibu, 2018 and 2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2016- 2019 Chevrolet Volt vehicles, but only if those vehicles were purchased in Ohio and if the consumer sought and received repairs there.
Otherwise, owners of a 2017 or 2018 GMC Acadia who purchased their vehicle in Tennessee and got repairs there are also eligible to join the lawsuit.
If you are eligible to join this class action lawsuit, you will receive $500 for purchasing a defective vehicle and a potentially additional $375 if you paid out of pocket for repairs.
However, it appears that the claim window has closed for new class action members to claim their settlements. Unless that window reopens, the settlement is unobtainable for anyone who did not already join.
Which GM Models Are Impacted by the Shift to Park Defect
A number of vehicles are impacted by this shift to park defect, even if they are not named in either of the TSBs or the lawsuit. Those impacted vehicles can be found below.
- 2016 – 2019 Chevrolet Volt
- 2017 – 2019 GMC Acadia
- 2016 – 2023 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2018 – 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- 2020 – 2023 Buick Encore GX
- 2021 – 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- 2021 – 2023 Chevrolet Blazer
Cost of Repairs and Warranty Coverage Questions
Repairs for this issue are reported to cost between $500 and $1,000 according to consumers but could be covered by certain warranties like a bumper-to-bumper warranty that some GMC vehicles come with.
Consumers also mention the repair taking about an hour to complete, with some being slightly faster and some being slightly slower.
Shift to Park issues should be covered under warranty if they first appeared during the warranty period. Unfortunately, several Acadia drivers say that GM is not honoring their New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
These warranties supposedly cover “repairs to correct any vehicle defect, not slight noise, vibrations, or other normal characteristics of the vehicle due to materials or workmanship occurring during the warranty period.
Needed repairs will be performed using new, remanufactured, or refurbished parts.” When GM refuses to honor warranties, consumers get stuck with the bill.
What to Do If Your Vehicle Still Has Shift to Park Issues
Even though the class action lawsuit has closed, consumers are not left totally without a remedy. If your vehicle is a 2020 model year or newer and is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, you may be eligible for compensation under the lemon law in your state.
The lemon law process serves as a vital protection for consumers who purchase or lease vehicles that turn out to be defective and unreliable.
When a car experiences recurring mechanical or electrical issues that affect its safety, use, or value, and those issues persist even after multiple repair attempts, the law gives the owner the right to seek compensation or a replacement.
The process begins with recognizing that the problem is not just a minor inconvenience, but a continuing defect that the manufacturer has failed to fix properly.
Once that pattern becomes clear, the consumer can begin building a record to support a potential claim.
Keeping careful documentation is essential. Each visit to the dealership should produce a repair order or invoice detailing the complaint, the attempted repair, and how long the vehicle was out of service.
These records demonstrate that the manufacturer was given reasonable opportunities to correct the defect but could not do so.
In many states, if a vehicle spends a significant number of days in the shop or the same issue reappears several times, it may qualify as a lemon under the law.
A detailed paper trail strengthens the consumer’s case and prevents manufacturers from denying or minimizing the problem.
Once sufficient evidence is gathered, the next step is to notify the manufacturer in writing. This formal notice typically gives the automaker one final opportunity to repair the issue.
If the defect remains unresolved after that, the consumer can move forward with a lemon law claim. Depending on the case, remedies may include a full refund of the purchase price, a comparable replacement vehicle, or a cash settlement that compensates for the defect’s impact.
Additionally, if the consumer prevails in their claim, the manufacturer is required to cover their attorneys’ fees, making it an excellent option for those who qualify.
Below are some examples of settlements we have obtained for clients in the past.
| Affected Vehicle | Average Settlement |
| Chevrolet Malibu | $47,157 |
| Chevrolet Traverse | $71,578 |
| Buick Encore GX | $48,241 |
| Chevrolet Trailblazer | $43,268 |
| Chevrolet Blazer | $66,630 |
*Please note, the figures presented in the chart are approximations based on past case results and should not be interpreted as a prediction or guarantee. Each case is unique and requires personalized legal guidance.
Work With the Lemon Law Experts on Your Claim
If your car keeps breaking down and the manufacturer still hasn’t fixed it, you don’t have to keep waiting for things to get better.
The lemon law exists to protect you and hold automakers accountable for selling defective vehicles. The team at the Lemon Law Experts has dozens of years of collective experience helping consumers smoothly navigate the lemon law process.
Contact us today, either by calling (877) 885-5366 or by filling out a contact form on our website here. We hope to hear from you soon!
Citations
CarComplaints, GM ‘Shift to Park’ Lawsuit Settlement Nears End, CarComplaints.com. https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2025/gm-shift-to-park-lawsuit-settlement.shtml. Accessed October 7, 2025.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, TSB PIT5616A, U.S. Department of Transportation. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10141376-9999.pdf. Accessed October 7, 2025.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, TSB 23-NA-119, U.S. Department of Transportation. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10246477-0001.pdf. Accessed October 7, 2025.
