P0780: Shift Error
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Briefly and gently - a shift-quality fault mistreats clutches every mile it goes unfixed. Diagnose soon rather than drive through it.
Symptoms
- Harsh, delayed or missed shifts
- Flare between gears
- Often accompanied by more specific codes
- Limp mode in severe cases
Likely causes, most common first
- Degraded or low transmission fluid
- Shift solenoid fault
- Valve body wear or sticking valves
- Internal clutch wear
Read P0780 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
P0780 is the transmission's general-purpose complaint: a shift did not happen the way the computer commanded, without a more specific code claiming the event. Think of it as the header page of a report - the details, when they exist, live in the codes stored alongside it.
Read alone, it still narrows usefully by symptom. Harshness everywhere points at line pressure or a pressure solenoid; one particular shift misbehaving points at that shift's solenoid or valve; flare - engine revving between gears - is slipping, the least forgiving symptom on the list. The triage matches the rest of the solenoid family: fluid condition first, because varnish is the great imitator of expensive problems, then solenoids, then the valve body. What P0780 does not tolerate is being ignored, because every flared shift is clutch material converted to heat.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0780
“Car started jerking and on the way home, the car lost all power to the transmission. The check engine light came on as well as the AT and traction lights. Absolutely no power to the transmission. codes P0780 and P0751.”2012 Mazda MAZDA3 · Jun 2024
“Bought my 2017 Nissan Titan brand new, as soon as I drove it from the lot , check engine came on, took it to dealer and dealer fixed a recall, then at about 30,000mi check engine turned on again and they said it was some sensor for the transmission, at 99000mi before my warranty expires check engine turned on again and its pulling a code P0780 and a P0780 pending. My mechanic told me that Nissan just erased the code instead of fixing it due to warranty. And now they said that it may be a part inside the transmission and that they will the cost has to come out of my pocket when I still under warranty.”2017 Nissan Titan · Mar 2022
“Transmissions slips. Engine check light codes p0780, p1733, p0008 and p0796. My transmission takes time to engage after I place the car in drive. Drive light also blinks. Is there a tcm in a 2010 honda accord exl.”2010 Honda Accord · Oct 2019 · 230,000 mi
Show 7 more owner reports
“Immediately after coming to a full stop behind a car at a stoplight, the 2002 accord lurched forward, nearly rear ending the car in front of me. After full stop was complete, there was approximately 1-2 second delay between pushing the gas pedal and when the car engages in gear again and lurches forward. All other gear changes function normally. Check engine light is illuminated, and diagnostics reveal a p0780 (shift malfunction) code. Lurching after stops and after acceleration continue at every stop now.”2002 Honda Accord · Sep 2017 · 170,000 mi
“Engine light came on for my 2002 honda accord, took it to my mechanic and error code p0780 (bad transmission) comes up. My car only has 33,804 miles. Called honda and they will not help us. I cannot afford to replace my transmission and have to drive the car knowing it can just stop at any time.”2002 Honda Accord · Mar 2017 · 33,804 mi
“While driving on the expressway, the tcs and check engine lights came on, the transmission down shift to lower gear abruptly. The car behind almost hit my car. It was a scary situation. After checking the codes, it showed p0730 and p0780 related to shift solenoid. And there are numerous complaints on the web with the same transmission problem due to fault material clogging the filter inside the transmission. This is a very unsafe issue since it could be no warning before it happens to the driver on high speed. *tr”2003 Honda Odyssey · Jul 2014 · 150,000 mi
“When in low gears 1-2, 2-3 gears jerks. High rev then strong jerk. Felt like gears slipped. Car then became sluggish and would not power of 5mph. Check engine light came on. Had car checked code p0780 showed. Shift malfunction. This seems to be on going with maxima 04-06. Recall must be called!!!! *tr”2005 Nissan Maxima · Mar 2013 · 59,000 mi
“My wife drove this minivan and just before exit to 15 freeway "check engine" light turned on, transmission starts sleeping and car just stop. She gets in panic because in this time was heavy traffic and situation become dangerous. She slowly drove to friends house and dropped the car overnight. Next day I checked codes and had p0730 and p0780 (transmission failure). "poway honda" in san diego, ca was asking for $4,565.00 to replace bad transmission with refurbished unit! I was very disappointing with honda "high" quality product (only 108k miles and ~$5,000.00 have to pay for used transmission!) I found one private company for $3,300.00 to replace this junk from honda. *tr”2003 Honda Odyssey · Feb 2011 · 108,645 mi
“About a month ago, I had two occasions when my 2003 honda odyssey would not shift from park to reverse. Each time I turned the car off and back on and then it would shift normally. On 12/23/10, I was driving down the street when suddenly the gears disengaged. The tachometer revved, but the van was just coasting. After a few seconds, the gears engaged again. The has happened several times over the past few days. Today I took my van to the dealer and was told the van has fault codes p0740 and p0780. I need a new (rebuilt) transmission and a new ecu. The cost is $5101.80. *tr”2003 Honda Odyssey · Dec 2010 · 126,000 mi
“Codes p0740,p0730and p0780 on 2003 honda odyssey - all relating to erratic behavior of transmission - sudden downshifts/gearchanges between 2nd and 3rd gears. Engine check light on. Tcs light on intermittently. It appears that defects of a similar and/or identical nature occur in many honda odyssey models before and after the model year 2003. Unpredictable transmission behavior is very distracting and may contribute to driver errors which in turn may lead to vehicular accidents on the road. *tr”2003 Honda Odyssey · Nov 2009 · 80,125 mi
Cars that report P0780 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0780?
Briefly and gently - a shift-quality fault mistreats clutches every mile it goes unfixed. Diagnose soon rather than drive through it.
How much does it cost to fix P0780?
Typical US repair costs range from $150 for the simplest fix (transmission fluid and filter service) to $1,500 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0780. 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.