If your 2025 Chevrolet Trax won’t shift out of Park, here’s the safe move

When your Trax is stuck in Park, everything grinds to a halt—blocking a driveway, stuck in a tight garage, or stranded for a tow that can’t load the vehicle unless it’s in Neutral. The good news: Chevrolet designed a manual shift-lock overrideyou can access in minutes using a small pry tool. With a little care, you can lift the trim, reach a beige/white release leverbeneath the shifter, and move the selector into Neutral (or another gear) without breaking clips or scratching the console.

Before we dive in, here’s why this happens: modern vehicles use an electronic interlock that requires the brake pedal + ignition logic to agree before the shifter leaves Park. A weak or dead 12V battery, a misaligned brake-light switch, a blown fuse, or post-collision faults can interrupt that handshake. The manual override is your safe workaround to reposition the vehicle—perfect for roadside situations, flatbed loading, or getting out of a cramped spot—while you diagnose the root cause.

To keep it safe and stress-free:

• Set the parking brake firmly and chock the wheels if there’s any incline.

• Use a plastic trim tool to avoid cosmetic damage (save the metal screwdriver for emergencies only).

• Move slowly and deliberately—if something feels forced, stop and reassess the angle and location of the release lever.

In the step-by-step below, we’ll show you exactly where the lever sits behind the shifter’s travel path, how to lift it, and how to move the selector smoothly into Neutral. Follow along and you’ll be rolling again in minutes.

Need expert help with safety system repairs, resets, or diagnostics? Contact MyAirbags to get fast, professional service.

What you’ll need

• Plastic trim tool / small pry bar (plastic is best to avoid scratches)

• Flashlight

• Gloves (optional, better grip and protection)

• Wheel chocks (highly recommended if you’re parked on any incline

Safety first (please read)

• Engage the parking brake firmly before you start.

• Chock the wheels if there’s any chance the vehicle could roll.

• Keep the ignition off unless you specifically need accessory power.

• This procedure is for manual shift-lock override only—use it to move the lever to Neutral (or another gear) to reposition or load the vehicle.

• If you feel unusual resistance, stop. Double-check location and technique to avoid breaking trim or the release lever.

Step-by-step: Releasing the gear shifter on a 2025 Chevy Trax

The steps below reflect the demonstrated method from a MyAirbags tech video captured inside a Chevy Trax. The key is a small beige/white release lever beneath the console, just behind the shift-knob’s travel path.

1) Gently lift the console trim around the shifter

• Use a plastic pry tool at the front or rear edge of the shifter bezel.

• Work the first clip free; once the first corner pops, the rest follow more easily.

• Lift the trim just high enough to see below (or set it aside carefully to improve access).

2) Locate the shift-lock release lever

• Aim your flashlight where the shift knob slides back and forth.

• Look directly behind that path for a small beige/white lever.

3) Lift the lever and move the shifter

• Lift the beige/white lever upward.

• While holding it up, pull the shift lever down into Neutral (or the gear you need).

• Keep your foot on the brake and wheels chocked to prevent movement.

4) Reinstall the trim

• Lower the bezel evenly and press to snap the clips back into place, working around the perimeter.

• Verify the shifter moves normally with the brake applied.

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Pro tips & common pitfalls

• Plastic tools > metal: Metal screwdrivers can scar the bezel.

• Don’t force the lever: If the beige/white lever won’t lift easily, reassess your angle/placement.

• Dead battery? The shift-lock relies on brake/ignition logic. If the battery is flat, the manual lever method above is exactly what you need to get to Neutral.

• After a collision: If SRS components deployed, the vehicle may present additional interlocks or faults. MyAirbags can reset your airbag control module and rebuild seat belt pretensioners to manufacturer specs.

Case Study #1 — Apartment garage rescue

A Trax owner found their SUV stuck in the garage against a wall with a drained battery. Towing was impossible without Neutral. Using the beige/white lever method described above, they released the shifter, rolled the Trax back safely, and positioned it for a jump—no trim damage, no tow bill.

Troubleshooting: If it still won’t move

• No movement after lifting the lever:

  • Re-confirm you’re lifting the correct beige/white lever directly behind the shifter path.

  • Make sure your foot is on the brake—some vehicles still expect this for smooth motion even in a manual release.

• Trim won’t pop free:

  • Start from the opposite edge, work around gently. Add a second plastic tool to relieve clip tension.

• Rollaway risk:

  • If you’re on a slope, chock wheels on both sides and consider a helper on the brake.

• Electrical symptoms persist:

  • Check the 12V battery state, STOP LAMP/brake switch fuses, and grounds.

  • If you recently had a crash event, MyAirbags can diagnose SRS module codes that sometimes coexist with interlock complaints.

Why MyAirbags

• Safety-system specialists: We focus on airbag modules, seat belt pretensioners, crash data resets, and related electronics—the components that protect you when it matters.

• OEM-level processes: We use calibrated equipment and documented procedures for reliable results.

• Fast turnaround: Most services are completed within days of receipt and shipped right back to you.

• Cost-effective: Repair and reset services often save hundreds compared to full replacement.

Our Process (how service with us works)

1. Get a quote at MyAirbags.com for your specific module or belt.

2. Remove the part (we provide removal guides for many vehicles).

3. Ship it to us with your order details.

4. We repair/reset using OEM-grade methods and run functional tests.

5. We ship it back—ready to install and clear codes as required.

Need help figuring out whether a fault is shifter/ignition/brake-switch related or tied to SRS? Reach out—our team can help you isolate the root cause.

Case Study #2 — Post-collision rebuild on a Trax

A body shop was finishing a 2025 Trax after front-end repairs. The customer reported intermittent shift-interlock behavior and an airbag light. The shop sent the airbag module and two pretensioners to MyAirbags. After reset/rebuild and proper reinstallation, the SRS light cleared and shifter behavior normalized. The car delivered on time without replacing expensive modules.

FAQs

Does this void my warranty?
Using the manual shift-lock override correctly typically does not affect warranty—but always follow your owner’s manual and use the feature only when needed.

Can I drive after using the manual release?
Yes—once everything is functioning normally. The manual release is just a way to move the lever when the interlock logic won’t allow it (e.g., dead battery). If shifting issues persist, diagnose before driving.

Where exactly is the lever on the Trax?
Beneath the shifter bezel, directly behind the shift-knob’s travel path. It’s a small beige/white lever you lift upwardwhile moving the shifter.

What if I scratch the trim?
Use plastic pry tools, work slowly, and lift evenly. Start from the front or back edge to pop the first clip, then the rest come up more easily.

Could this be a brake-switch or fuse issue?
Yes. If the interlock won’t release electrically, check the brake light switch, related fuses, and battery voltage. The manual lever bypasses the logic so you can still get to Neutral.

My airbags deployed—can that affect shifting?
The systems are separate, but collision events can create multiple faults at once. MyAirbags can reset your airbag control module and rebuild seat belts as part of the post-crash repair plan

Wrap-up: A quick, safe fix when you’re stuck

You now have a clear, repeatable plan for those “won’t leave Park” emergencies on the 2025 Chevy Trax:

1. Pop the shifter bezel carefully at the front or rear edge with a plastic tool.

2. Find and lift the small beige/white release lever behind the shifter’s travel path.

3. While holding the lever up, move the selector into Neutral (or the gear you need), with your foot on the brakeand wheels chocked.

4. Snap the trim back into place, verifying smooth operation.

If the problem persists after you’ve moved the vehicle, focus on the likely culprits: charge or replace the 12V battery, confirm your brake lights work (points to the switch/fuse), and scan for stored faults—especially after a collision. Remember, the manual release is a mechanical bypass to help you relocate the vehicle; it doesn’t fix the underlying electrical or interlock issue.

When to call in a pro:

• The release lever won’t move or requires excessive force

• Trim won’t re-seat or you notice broken clips/wiring

• You have airbag/SRS lights, crash data, or related codes after a collision

This is where MyAirbags can save time and money. We specialize in airbag module resets, seat belt pretensioner rebuilds, and related safety electronics using documented, OEM-level processes—often with fast turnaround and significant cost savings versus full replacement. Pair this manual shifter release with a proper electrical/SRS diagnosis, and your Trax will be back to everyday duty without lingering warning lights or interlock surprises.