[tdelfino]

I was at the mall and parked the car as usual to go do my thing. When I got back an hour or so later I went in the car turned on the engine and tried to get the gear into Drive but was stuck in park. After an hour of playing with it, turning the engine off and on with the foot on the brake nothing seemed to work. I eventually had the engine turned off and pumped the brake till it was hard to press while kept trying to move the stick to Drive and it eventually worked.
But when i got home i turned it off and tried again and again it was stuck in park! And now here i am on the computer. Help please. any advice?

 

[OnRoad]

There is an electric lockout that prevents the car from going out of park without pressing the brake. It could be out of adjustment or defective.

There is an access panel which allows you to manually release the lock on the side of the transmission tunnel. Use this to get it out of lock and take it in. (Call the dealer and ask for instructions.) I would think this would be covered under warranty...

 

[Webmaster]

I think you can also get out of park by turning the key to the first click (without turning the vehicle ON). Then with your foot on the brake move the shifter to neutral. Then turn on and go into R/D.

I just sold my Compass otherwise I'd go double-check. But usually you can do that on shift-interlock vehicles. Definitely let the dealer fix that for you!

 

[Lewis4246]

from the operator manual (USA) page 236
"NOTE: If a malfunction occurs, the transaxle will not
shift out of park. Battery power is required to release the
brake/transmission interlock system. There is a removable
plug in the right side of the shifter housing that
allows you to insert your finger to override the system.
The key must be in the ignition and in the on position to
use the override lever. If this occurs obtain service as
soon as possible."

 

[adnan104]

Yeah, it's accessible from the passenger seat. Look on the side of the tranny box, you'll see a circle about 1-1/5" wide, pop it open with a flathead screwdriver.

Stick your finger in there, there's a little white lever.
Push the lever down, and you should be able to change gears.

 

[i2canoe]

Very complicated option I'd say.
AND you pay extra for one eh?