P07E7 code meaning
Stuck in Drive
Powertrain system Generic code P07xx codes Check engine light
What P07E7 means
With shift-by-wire or park-by-wire, P, R, N and D are requested electrically (buttons, rotary selector, automatic park on shutdown) and an actuator moves the selector shaft or the park pawl; the module compares the requested with the range actually reached. P07E7 means drive cannot be left: after a request for P, N or R the transmission stays in D. It is the counterpart to P07E5, where drive cannot be engaged, and to P07E6 for park. No manufacturer document available to us uses it; GM's range selector module checks requested against reached range in the same way for P07E4 and P07E5 (2000 ms, two trips). With shift-by-wire the fault matters for safety, because the car cannot be put into park or neutral. Typical causes would be a sticking range actuator or selector shaft, a range sensor wrongly reporting D, or the selector or its software.
P07E7 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor0.5 to 4 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P07E7
- Range stays in D despite the selector request
- P or N cannot be reached, warning message
- Warning lamp (depends on manufacturer)
Common causes of P07E7
- PossibleRange actuator or selector shaft sticking
- PossibleRange sensor wrongly reporting D
- Less likelySelector sensor or software
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Transmission range selectorTransmission range sensorElectronic range selectorTransmission control module
What each part of P07E7 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 7 | Area: transmission. |
| E7 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P07E7 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P07E7
What does P07E7 mean?
P07E7 means "Stuck in Drive". With shift-by-wire or park-by-wire, P, R, N and D are requested electrically (buttons, rotary selector, automatic park on shutdown) and an actuator moves the selector shaft or the park pawl; the module compares the requested with the range actually reached. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P07E7?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P07E7 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P07E7 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P07E7 is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P07E7 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 4 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P07E7 clear itself after the repair?
After the repair the car has to complete a drive cycle (a mix of city and highway driving) before the test runs again. Until then the readiness monitor shows "not ready", which can fail an inspection.