Can't shift out of park

[lmacmil]

I have a 2005 SE-V6 with 5 speed auto. Four times in the last 7-8 months, the shift lever has become stuck in park after starting the engine. Three times, I was able to free it up with some playing around with the shifter and brake pedal. Today I was forced to remove the little tab on the shift console and push the button which let me shift into neutral and then start the car.

I will take it in next week but was wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem. Since a remedy is described in the owner's manual, this must be a known failure mode in either the brake pedal sensor or the transmission.

[Zembonez]

It's a custom fuel saving feature.

It sounds like something to do with the brake / shift interlock. Hopefully it's an easy fix.

[fatngs]

try setting the E brake before you put it in park and see if that helps

[DM616]

Sounds like the shift lock solenoid went bad. I have the same problem (on a97 camry)