What Does P073A Mean?
The TCM has detected that the transmission is stuck in 5th gear and cannot shift to any other gear. The 5th gear clutch elements remain engaged regardless of vehicle speed, throttle position, or TCM shift commands. The driver will experience very poor acceleration from a stop (starting in 5th gear), possible engine stalling at low speeds, and the vehicle only being comfortable at highway cruising speed.
Safety Warning
Starting from 5th gear makes acceleration from a stop nearly impossible. The engine will lug severely and may stall in low-speed situations. This is extremely dangerous at intersections and merging zones. Do not attempt city driving — have the vehicle towed or drive only on highways at steady speed to reach a shop.
Common Causes
35%
TCM in limp/failsafe mode commanding 5th gear hold due to an underlying critical fault
25%
Failed shift solenoid(s) preventing the TCM from releasing 5th gear or engaging other gears
20%
Stuck valve in the valve body holding the 5th gear hydraulic circuit applied
10%
5th gear clutch elements mechanically seized or bonded in the applied position
10%
Speed sensor failure giving the TCM false data that prevents shift logic from operating
Diagnostic Steps
1
Check for additional DTCs in the TCM and ECM — being stuck in 5th is almost always a limp mode or failsafe response to another underlying code.
2
Verify the stuck condition by monitoring ISS/OSS PIDs and calculating the gear ratio. Confirm it matches the 5th gear specification and does not change with vehicle speed.
3
Attempt to command shifts to other gears using the scan tool's bi-directional controls. If the transmission responds, the root cause is in the TCM's automatic logic or sensor inputs.
4
Test each shift solenoid — measure resistance, command on/off, and verify current draw. Identify which solenoid combination should disengage 5th gear per the manufacturer's solenoid application chart.
5
If solenoids are electrically functional, remove the valve body and manually check the relevant shift valves for binding, scoring, or debris.
Estimated Repair Cost
$200 - $4,000
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The TCM has detected that the transmission is stuck in 5th gear and cannot shift to any other gear. The 5th gear clutch elements remain engaged regardless of vehicle speed, throttle position, or TCM shift commands. The driver will experience very poor acceleration from a stop (starting in 5th gear),...
The most common cause of P073A (Stuck in Gear 5) is: TCM in limp/failsafe mode commanding 5th gear hold due to an underlying critical fault
Typical repair costs for P073A range from $200 to $4,000, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
Starting from 5th gear makes acceleration from a stop nearly impossible. The engine will lug severely and may stall in low-speed situations. This is extremely dangerous at intersections and merging zones. Do not attempt city driving — have the vehicle towed or drive only on highways at steady speed to reach a shop.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P073A to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Automatic Transmission / Gear Engagement
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
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