7 Possible Reasons Why Your Car Won’t Go In Reverse But Will Go Forward

Backing up your vehicle gives you mobility and ways to maneuver around sticky situations. Therefore, a car that won’t go in reverse but goes forward is a cause for concern. Finding the root of the issue is important to determine which repairs are necessary.

Possible Reasons Why Your Car Won’t Go In Reverse

Let’s take a look at some of the common reasons why a vehicle won’t go in reverse, and find out how much these repairs cost.

Low Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid is used to ease shifting for both automatic and manual transmission vehicles.

Your car won’t go in reverse if the level of transmission fluid is too low because of the lack of lubrication. You may even notice fluctuating shifting, engine overheating, or stalling.

This isn’t usually the problem, but transmissions typically have higher line pressure in reverse than any other gear. Typically, a low-fluid issue will show up in both “drive” and “reverse” and may cause the transmission to “neutralize” on sharp turns. Also, a clogged transmission filter can cause the transmission to start out normally and fade so that it stops pulling after a very short drive.

Dirty Transmission Fluid

Contamination usually occurs when a worn-out gasket allows contaminants into the transmission or when the fluid isn’t replaced on time. A dirty transmission fluid affects the lubricating function of the fluid, which may prevent you from shifting into reverse.

Keep in mind, however, that this is not typically going to be a “reverse only” issue. It will typically show up in the way the transmission shifts through its gears while driving.

Damaged Transmission Position Sensor

Shifting your gear stick sends a signal to your car’s engine control unit (ECU) and transmits it using a sensor. A faulty sensor won’t pick up the signals and prevent you from shifting to reverse.

Typically, this part is called a transmission range sensor or TR sensor. There are many variations to the design of these sensors. They can cause a problem with reverse on some platforms but won’t on others.

Faulty Shifter

A faulty shifter means you won’t smoothly change gears. This often occurs when there’s an issue within the shifter linkage. The shifter linkage is a cable that connects the gear selector to the transmission, and a damaged one also prevents you from changing gears.

If the shifter or the shift cable/linkage is maladjusted, you may actually have the transmission in something other than reverse (like neutral) when your PRNDL indicator says it’s in reverse.

Damaged Reverse Gear

A damaged reverse gear caused by reckless or mistimed shifting makes regular transmission difficult. The shifting gear will still move, but the car computer won’t pick it up. However, this is only on manual transmissions since automatic transmissions don’t technically have a “reverse gear.”

The way an automatic transmission achieves reverse is by holding the planetary carrier part of the planetary gearset so that the planetary gears remain stationary. That way, driving the sun gear or ring gear forces the opposing gear to spin in the opposite direction, driving the output to the wheels in reverse. Any internal failure that prevents the planetary gearset from being held can prevent the vehicle from reversing.

The way an automatic transmission achieves reverse is by holding the planetary carrier part of the planetary gearset so that the planetary gears remain stationary. That way, driving the sun gear or ring gear forces the opposing gear to spin in the opposite direction, driving the output to the wheels in reverse. Any internal failure that prevents the planetary gearset from being held can prevent the vehicle from reversing.

–Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Worn-out Lockout Ring

The lockout ring’s function is to prevent you from shifting into reverse while the car is moving forward. A damaged one could be hindering your ability to shift into reverse, even when the vehicle isn’t moving. This falls in the category of shifter linkage or cable issues.

Bad Clutch

A worn-out clutch prevents you from smoothly shifting into reverse or could outright prevent you from doing so. This is because its purpose is to transmit torque from a rotating driving motor to a transmission. However, again, this will typically be more of a problem moving forward in higher gears than simply causing the transmission not to go backwards.

What Diagnosing and Fixing the Reversing Issue Entails

Reversing issues caused by the transmission fluid are usually resolved by refilling or replacing the fluid. While malfunctioning electrical components include internal repairs or replacements. The process differs depending on what causes the issue.

You can expect one of the following repairs done:

Replacing the Transmission Fluid

The mechanic will first check the transmission fluid level by looking at the transmission dipstick. If the volume is low, they’ll likely replace the remaining fluid to avoid contamination.

This is usually followed up by checking if the low level is caused by leaks due to a bad gasket. If it is, they’ll likely recommend having it repaired.

Transmission fluid replacement is also needed if it is contaminated.

Expect to pay somewhere between $120 and $250 for the replacement. While gasket repair ranges from $1200 to $1500.

Transmission Position Sensor Replacement or Repair

The mechanic will first check if the transmission position sensor is damaged. Checking it lets them gauge if it’s worth repairing or if they need to replace it. If it needs replacement, they’ll swap out the defective part with a new one.

The price of replacing the transmission position sensor ranges between $270 and $320. New parts cost ranges from $135 to $150, while expect to pay somewhere from $140 to $170 for the labor fee.

Damaged Reverse Gear Replacement

The mechanic will remove the transmission and replace the broken gear with a new one.

Transmission replacement is one of the most expensive repairs out there, as the price ranges from $1,800 to $3,400, while the labor fee is somewhere between $500 and $1,200.

Clutch Replacement

If the clutch is causing shifting issues, the mechanic will remove the transaxle to access the clutch. They’ll then unbolt the engine mount and replace the defective piece with a new one.

Final Takeaways

Diagnosing what’s preventing your car from backing up is important as it can save you time when you visit the auto shop. While the causes differ, it always stems from the three components, namely the transmission fluid, the car’s computer, or the gear system.

Additionally, knowing the causes means you have ways to prevent it from happening. This can save you money, as the price of certain repairs can be hefty.

Where to Get Transmission Fluid for Your Vehicle

If you’re thinking about ignoring your vehicle’s transmission issues, don’t. Between buying new transmission fluid and repairing a damaged transmission, the cheaper option is quite obvious. 

Plus, driving around with transmission issues is never a good idea. In the worst-case scenario, you might accidentally collide with another vehicle on the road. Luckily, getting brand-new transmission fluid is fast and easy with CarParts.com. 

Whether you’re in the market for automatic or manual transmission fluid, you’re sure to find some at CarParts.com. We offer high-quality transmission fluids that are sourced from only the most trusted manufacturers in the industry. You don’t have to wait long for your order to arrive either. Thanks to our strategically located warehouses around the US, you can expect to receive your new transmission fluid in as fast as two business days.

Don’t wait until your entire transmission system fails before replacing your old transmission fluid. Check out our catalog of automatic and manual transmission fluid at CarParts.com today.