P0765: Shift Solenoid D
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Yes with care - expect missing gears or harsh shifting.
Symptoms
- Limited gear range
- Harsh shifts
- Check engine light with limp mode
Likely causes, most common first
- Shift solenoid D electrical fault
- Internal harness damage
- Case connector corroded
- Contaminated fluid
Read P0765 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
P0765 concerns shift solenoid D, which exists only on transmissions with enough ratios to need a fourth shift solenoid - generally five speed units and above.
With four or more solenoids sharing one internal harness and one case connector, a single damaged connector can set several solenoid codes at once. Before assuming multiple failures, check whether all the affected circuits pass through the same plug; fluid seepage into that connector is a recognised cause of exactly this pattern.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0765
“This and other models of kia/hyundai have a very common issue with auto trans a4cf1/2 electrica harness that fails prematurely and frequently, including temp sensor intergrated into it. Car now has 94k and code p0713 for the temp sensor failure and recently p0765 for selonoid d, which is all related to wire harness inside trans. Temp sensor fails, and solder connections become loose and irretic shifting, check engine lights and all sorts of trans problems start. I wouldn't be surprised upon owners taking cars to dealer or trans shop, they are told their transmissions are no good.”2010 Kia Soul · Oct 2018 · 94,000 mi
“Vehicle will not shift into 3rd gear. This started while driving the vehicle in town and now only runs in 1st and 2nd gear. Diagnostic code p0765 (shift solenoid d) is the only code showing. Other (03-05) jeeps were recalled for the same problem.”2005 Jeep Wrangler · Mar 2016 · 72,000 mi
“While driving the vehicle at 50 mph, it suddenly slams into third gear causing a violent jerking and sudden deceleration. The engine light comes on and the car remains in 3rd gear for a period of time and then returns to normal. This occurred two days in a row. The second time I was almost rear ended when my vehicle slammed into third gear. It was determined that the transmission wiring harness and overdrive solenoid were defective. Error code was p0765. *tr”2006 Hyundai Sonata · Jul 2010 · 102,000 mi
Cars that report P0765 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0765?
Yes with care - expect missing gears or harsh shifting.
How much does it cost to fix P0765?
Typical US repair costs range from $200 for the simplest fix (shift solenoid) to $1,000 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0765. They often appear together, and telling them apart is usually what narrows the diagnosis.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.