My 2012 Ford Explorer gives me the message "shift to park" when I turn off the car. The car is fully in park. I have to push the button on the gear shift and jiggle the gear shift for it to finally acknowledge it's in park (by sliding the seat back and the message goes away). Sometimes I have to shift it to drive and back again, before jiggling to get it into park. Any suggestions to what i need to do to fix this problem

Wow, in this circumstance I'd look at the transmission linkage adjustment, Gear selector indicator, I'd look for debris inside the shifter (soda, french fries, dirt) and possibly pull the driver's seat to look at what else may be interfering. I'm just guessing here since I have never encountered this concern with any of our 11 Explorers.

Being a 2012, it should be covered via warranty, expecially if the fault is in the transmission. Assuming, of course, the mileage is under the 70K or so that comes with the vehicle.

I have had the same issue occur twice now. Once more and it is going to the shop. Did you get a resolution?

I recently had the same problem, linkage was adjusted (per ford engineer)then a new shifter was installed, still not resolved, going back this week into the dealership.

I am having the same issue. Car has 25K miles on it and is going in next week for this and other problems, including recall on power steering. Car is a 2012 Limited 4WD.

I have the exact same problem with my explorer. Wth. It's a 2011 explorer. Did anyone find out the issue.

My Ford Explorer has been doing the same thing for 2 years. The dealer said I had spilled something in the gear shift to cause it and wanted over $1,000 to replace so I have just lived with it but it is really aggravating. Has anyone found a solution to this?

I just had to get my shifter replaced on my Explorer 2012 limited. When I would shut off the car, I would get a message that I still need to turn off the car to conserve battery. Then I would get a message that it is powering down. Hence, my battery was being drained if I didn't drive it every day. 3 trips to the shop so hopefully this is a fix.

SERVICE MESSAGES & BULLENTINS MAY - SEPTEMBER 2013 BCM6535–2011–2013 Edge/MKX/Explorer“Shift To Park” Message While In Park 2011 –2013 Edge/MKX/Explorer“ShiftToPark”message may be displayed with the shifter in Park if the shift cable is not correctly adjusted. Follow the shift cable adjustment procedure in the work shop manual section 307-05 to correct this condition. Remember that the shift cable adjustment is always done with both the shifter and transmission in Drive.

I am having the same problem shift to park in my 2012 Ford Explores. Take it for a car wash get in it first this Shift to Park This need to be investigated and fix by ford Motor Company.

My ChevyCruze does this all the time no one knows how to fix it. But I learned that just pressing the button on the shifter usually makes it go away. It's better for the car to flick the shifter button than shaking the entire shifter

There are a lot of Ford Explores that have this problem and this need to be fixed by Ford Motor, 2012 Ford Limited

A Ford TSB exists that addresses this concern directly. The shifter lever needs to be replaced with an updated part. You'll need to purchase it from the dealer. There's no quick fix.

We all need to contact Ford and ask for a recall on this, too many problems

Recalls are only generated for safety related concerns and usually only when there are deaths involved. Ford likes your money.

I am having the same problem in my 2014 Explorer. Apparently they never fixed the problem. Unfortunately this has been only one issue in a long list. You are right. Ford likes there money but they do not like to help you when you have a problem. I have been very disappointed with them & now this constant annoying alarm!!!

REPEAT: A Ford TSB exists that addresses this concern directly. The shifter lever needs to be replaced with an updated part. You'll need to purchase it from the dealer. There's no quick fix.

My 2013 Ford Explorer Limited is doing it all the time...very annoying? I would like to snip a wire but there are likely none or it is against the law. Not ready to go back to the model T but simpler would be better.

My 2013 Ford Explorer Limited also does this constantly. I have to flick the lever multiple times to get the Park light on. Piece of garbage and I'm sick of it and Ford. Never buying a Ford again!

This need to be fixed it is not getting any better. Ford Motor need to recall this situation and fix it... Discussed each day with this ,,,This is a problem...

I have been having this problem for months. It is getting worse each day Ford Motor need to fix this problem. On a hill sitting flat. this need to be recall.

Have a 2014 Ltd and let me tell you it only gets worse. In the early days of the problem occurring I could move the shifter lever or the shifter itself and it would eventually go into Park. However, now 1 1/2 years later it has gotten to the point of not getting the Park light to come on at all. When I asked Ford about this a year ago they said they don't fix it but replace the shifter altogether. Sure for $600 plus. My wife sits in the car and if you wait 5 to 10 minutes sometimes the Park light comes on. Not wasting my time or dollars. I just ignore it. To each their own right?

I found a solution hopefully it will work for you guys. I believe this problem is a software issue. My explorer never had this issue until i took it in to Ford for a recall. For 2 years i dealt with the shift to park message. Ford wanted to replace shifter for $800. So recently my 2011 Explorer started to jolt while driving, thinking it was a transmission issue i took it to Ford and was told by them that 9 out of 10 times a software update would fix my jolt issue. Fords have self adaptive driving software, meaning it adapts to your driving habits. So i decided to fix it my self. 3 weeks in and no shift to park message or jolting.Try at own risk not responsible for any damages: 1. Make vehicle show Park and turn off ac, radio, lights ect.. 2. Install latest sync software available at Myford.com 3 Once software is installed or if you are up to date remove negative battery terminal cover cable terminal with rag and leave off for about 10hrs. I did mine in evening and reconnected around noon next day. This will reset the ECM, PCM and Throttle Controller. If sync has wrong time and no stations programmed you have successfully preformed reset. There are videos on Youtube on how to reset Ford Cpu if you need help. With the reset," I m thinking" software tells Boards when truck is in Park. 4.Turn vehicle on and leave idling for about 15 minutes. After 15min drive around city for about 20 min. (No HWY). Then you are done. 5. Hope this works for you all as it did for me. good luck

I am still having the problem with my 2012 Explore.. Will go away and always come back.. Last week every Stop... had to sit in the car and wiggle the shift... this is terrible.. hope a recall on this to many Explore with this problem..

I have been having this problem for months. It is getting worse each day Ford Motor need to fix this problem. On a hill sitting flat. this need to be recall.

Same problem on my 2012 Ford Explorer Ltd. Ford dealership installed part GT4Z 3F988 B: Switch - Gearshift Selecto... 1 @ $37.40 plus 10 hrs. labor ($398 + $37.40). So far, so good. But, I had 2 recalls serviced at the same time. Did I pay 10 hrs. labor for that part's installation and the labor for recall service? I will never know. After reading the previous comments, I am very concerned about automatic acceleration while driving. Our 1999 Mustang did this many years ago and they could never find the cause. Very scary experience!

I have had two Ford Explorers 2013 and 2014 and they both did this same issue. It’s crazy, it sounds like it’s happening to about 40 percent of these models.

I have had the same issue occur all the time. is there a resolution for this problem. I have a 2012 and it does this all the time. Have to sit in car each time jiggle try to get to Park... is it real in park.. after all the jiggle...This need a Recall ASAP.. Always push brakes down before getting out of Car

My 2013 Explorer Sport just started doing this. It has 30,300 miles. It's a nuisance, but once you exit the vehicle, the message and beeping stops. I'd take it in if still under warranty, but I can live with this minor pain in the back side for now.

Just found this You Tube video with an easy workaround. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVah49uZx3U

Yeah. That fix doesn’t work for me. I’ve tried it many times. Thanks for the video though.

2015 Ford explorer-shift indicator not reading park position and intermittently draining battery. Took to Ford dealership-they removed the shifter(console type) and installed updated park retest switch kit.Had to buy a new battery as well.Since there are so many issues with this I don't understand why Ford is not responsible and acoutable for recall and free replacement of part.

My 2011 limited edition is doing the same thing and nothing has helped. I’ve had three recalls on this vehicle which is pretty darn poor. Ford should do a recall now on this issue seems to be an issue for many years. This is the last Ford for me.

Well that was only the beginning of my problems with that car. GET RID OF YOUR FORD!!! My CPUs, shifters and door sensors were replaced. Turbo replaced. Then Solenoid vacuum lines, engine mounts, sway bars and then the TRANSMISSION. Now, the turbo is out again because the catalytic converter and fuel pump needs to be replaced. Check engine light was NOT on. Yet the car’s engine needs to be replaced. I paid extra for a limited with turbo. It never ran right. It got worse had mileage and ran sluggish after the turbo was replaced the last time. So much for wanting to support Ford. My Toyotas, Hondas, Nissans and Infinitis have all been great. No more Fords for me!

I had this issue on my 2011 Explorer and had the shifter assembly replaced in 2016 when the vehicle was only 5 years old and had less than 60,000 miles on it. It's already doing it again less than 4 years after replacement and under 100,000 miles. I owned Explorers before but this will be my last. Nothing but recalls and repairs and I will not be happy about paying another couple hundred dollars to have it fixed.