Q: Reverse no longer works in my car, is possible to fix just that gear or do i have to replace the entire transmission?

asked by on December 28, 2017

I was trying to reverse up hill out of a drive way. The tires just spun and then a load crunch sound and the transmission light turned on. The car no longer goes into reverse. But it will go into drive no problem. Is it possible to just fix that one gear or am I going to have to replace the entire transmission?

My car has 119000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

You can choose to have your transmission rebuilt, in which case the rebuilder will replace the parts that are broken as well as the parts that usually wear out like clutches and bands. But you have to shop carefully, because it can be very expensive and often it is more economical to buy a new or remanufactured unit. But don’t jump to conclusions until you have it checked out. In some cases there are external repairs that can be done. Contact YourMechanic to have a technician come to your home or office to check out your Nitro and recommend a solution.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Why Should I Get an Alignment?
Suspension alignments are necessary for two main reasons: to forestall uneven tire wear and to be sure your car is handling optimally. Vehicle manufacturers have generally moved away from recommending that wheel alignments be checked or performed as part of...
How should my car be towed?
There are many instances in which you might want to tow your car. You might want to tow it behind an RV for instance. While some vehicles can be towed in almost any way, yours is not among them. You...
How do you clear the MyKeys® from the system?
While your car gives you the ability to create MyKeys® as needed, there will come a time that you want to remove the restrictions from those keys. Whether your teen driver has learned proper control or there’s another reason for...
Car goes into gear, but doesn't move.
The first thing I would do is be sure the parking brake is released. As long as the parking brake is released and this issue still occurs there may be a major issue with the transmission on this vehicle. Be...
Check Engine code for catalytic converter.
This can be because the catalytic converter is bad or the sensor is defective. A qualified mechanic would have to scan the vehicle and check for broken up or rattling converte (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/catalytic-converter-replacement)r signifying its coming apart inside.
How do I turn auto door unlock off?
Auto door unlock is a feature that will set the doors to automatically unlock when you finish driving your vehicle. To turn this feature off, and only unlock the doors manually, follow these steps: 1. Engage the parking brake. 2....
My car will be starting perfect and when the gas tank gets lower it will start having problems .
Based on the information you gave, it sounds like a possible fuel starvation issue, caused by a partially blocked, in-tank fuel filter or a crack in the fuel pump housing. The remedy would be to replace the fuel pump assembly...
I've got a stock 350 with an edelbrock 1406 carb I just put on that I bought used. It has a dead spot in the accelerator so I chan
Hello. From what you describe it would appear that the carburetor may need to be tuned or adjusted. Every engine runs differently, so in most cases, when a new or different carburetor is installed on an engine it will need...
Car cranking but won't start also battery keeps dying
If the engine cranks at adequate RPM, be sure there is adequate fuel in the fuel tank and that the fuel is not old. Download any OBD-II trouble codes that have been stored and examine those codes for diagnostic clues....

Related articles

Does An Automatic Transmission Have a Clutch?
Most of the time we think of a clutch in the context of a manual transmission. An automatic transmission does have...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Dodge Avenger
The The newly redesigned 2012 Dodge Avenger is a really impressive addition to the mid-size sedan market. This model is Dodge’s answer to the likes of the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry, and while it may not have quite...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Kickdown Cable
If you feel that your car's transmission is shifting roughly, too fast, or too slow, you may need to replace the kickdown cable.