P073A
Stuck in Gear 5
Automatic transmission
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P073A means the automatic transmission is stuck in 5th gear and won't shift out of it. It usually points to a stuck shift solenoid or valve body, low or contaminated fluid, or an internal hydraulic fault. Locked in a high gear, the car accelerates poorly from a stop and the transmission is under strain, so it should be serviced rather than driven on.
High
Can I keep driving? Limited — being locked in one gear strains the transmission and hurts acceleration; drive as little as possible until it's serviced.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Transmission won't shift out of 5th gear
- Poor acceleration from a stop, or high revs that won't upshift
- Harsh engagement or a limp/default mode
Common causes
Most likely first
- Stuck or faulty shift solenoid for the 5th-gear circuitLikely
- Valve body sticking from debris or wearCommon
- Low or contaminated transmission fluidCommon
- Internal hydraulic or clutch fault, or damaged solenoid wiringLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Scan and read freeze-frame; note any accompanying solenoid or ratio codes.
- Check the transmission fluid level and condition first.
- Inspect the shift-solenoid wiring and connector for damage or corrosion.
- Test the shift solenoids and valve-body operation; if internal, the transmission needs service. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P073A?+
Only minimally. Stuck in 5th gear the car struggles to pull away and the transmission is under strain. Get it to a shop rather than driving on it.
Can I just clear P073A?+
It returns as soon as the transmission fails to shift again; clearing it doesn't free the stuck solenoid or valve body.
Related codes
Often seen with P073A
Read & clear P073A yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX