P0705: Transmission Range Sensor A Circuit (PRNDL Input)
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Careful, short trips only - the car may start in gear or misreport reverse, which is a safety issue.
Symptoms
- No-start or starts only in neutral
- Reverse lights wrong or absent
- Harsh engagement, wrong gear displayed
Likely causes, most common first
- Range sensor (PRNDL switch) worn or misadjusted
- Water intrusion into the switch
- Shift cable misadjustment
Read P0705 yourself before paying for diagnosis
A basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanner ($20-40) plugs into the port under the dashboard and shows this code with live sensor data on your phone - useful both for confirming the fix and for talking to a shop from an informed position.
What is going on and how it gets diagnosed
P0705 means the transmission range sensor - the part that tells the computer whether you selected Park, Reverse or Drive - is sending invalid or contradictory signals. The safety interlocks that prevent starting in gear depend on it.
On many cars the sensor bolts to the outside of the transmission and can simply drift out of adjustment. Erratic gear indicator lights are the telltale early symptom worth acting on before the no-start mornings begin.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0705
“The check engine lamp light came on and vehicles current shift lamps not visible. Vehicle began to slip gears and Rev at high rpm. Risk of taking kids to school and myself to work was resolved by parking the car back in driveway. The car diagnostic machine put out code P0705 Transmission Range Sensor A Circuit. Also our vehicle is available for further inspection.”2018 Nissan Versa · Feb 2023
“The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic retrieved fault code: P0705 indicating the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Transmission Control Module (TCM) failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,799.”2017 Nissan Versa · Sep 2022 · 107,799 mi
“While driving it down shifts from 3 to 1, codes are p0705 and p0016. These should fall under the factory recall for 15n05 and 19n01 but ford refuses to cover it. Truck not only downshifts but also clinics into gear from park to drive or reverse.”2011 Ford F-150 · Mar 2020 · 125,000 mi
Show 7 more owner reports
“When it gets cold the truck will go into reverse and not into drive. When trying to go to park, all the dash indicators do not light up and the check engine light comes on. After shutting off the truck and restarting it a few times, the p0705 and p1702 codes are on and I drive it home. The next day I take it in to the dealer and codes are gone and no history either. Nothing to be done as the codes I gave them are not on truck anymore. This has happened 4 times already to date within the last month.”2011 Ford F-150 · Jan 2020
“Was coming to a stop at a red light when my car suddenly stalled out. Re started it then it was sluggish and my check engine light came on, when I came to a stop again I felt a quick thunk like the transmission was slipping. Finally got it home when put it on code reader it came up with code p0705 transmission range sensor circuit malfunction. I received a notice of recall for the transmission problem but when took it to the dealer they said it wasn't covered. Now I am stuck having to pay around $2000 to get my car fixed.”2016 Nissan Versa · Nov 2019 · 87,000 mi
“P0705 check engine light came on. Car was occasionally getting stuck in park and had to be stopped / started to get out of park. Very dangerous. Took car to repair shop and they had to replace the neutral switch. There is a recall notice for this exact issue for other kia optimas but not this car's year. I strongly believe my car should have been under a recall notice. I still have the defective part if needed.”2014 Kia Optima · May 2019
“I started the car and while driving, the check engine light came on. I took it to my mechanic, and was told #p0757 transmission range sensor circuit malfunction ( p r n d l input) # p0705 park/neturak s/w.”2014 Nissan Versa · Apr 2019 · 55,200 mi
“Purchased a 2004 honda pilot used at 136k miles. Within a week of driving the check engine light came on. Engine codes p0700, p0705, p0740 were all present, which are all in relation to the automatic transmission. The transmission shop confirmed that this is a common issue across honda & acura vehicles in the '03-'04 range (see 2003-2004 acura mdx service bulletin 06-003). A design flaw in the torque converter causes it to break down & shed metal fragments, which compromises the rest of the transmission. The only real fix is to rebuild or replace the transmission. Honda americas customer service refused to review my case any further, even under goodwill consideration.”2004 Honda Pilot · Feb 2019 · 136,000 mi
“2013 nissan versa struggles to turn on. Car also idles rough and has stalled at stop lights. Took it to buena park nissan and they said there was nothing wrong with it. Recently the engine light came on, it was p0705 transmission range sensor.”2013 Nissan Versa · Oct 2018 · 101,000 mi
“Automatic transmission shifter unable to shift -- beginning in 2017 (3 years into the new car), the transmission began to exhibit periods where it was very difficult to shift. Moving the transmission shifter from stationary to any of the moving positions (r, d, 3, 2, 1) required significant strength. Beginning earlier 2019, check engine light code p0705 begin coming and going on the dashboard display. Three trips to the dealership thus far has failed to properly diagnose and remedy the issue.”2014 Toyota Tacoma · Sep 2017 · 32,000 mi
Cars that report P0705 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0705?
Careful, short trips only - the car may start in gear or misreport reverse, which is a safety issue.
How much does it cost to fix P0705?
Typical US repair costs range from $80 for the simplest fix (switch adjustment) to $600 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.