I shifted the lever to drive mode, but it goes to reverse mode. What is the problem?

When I'm shifting park mode to drive mode, instead of drive mode, it goes to reverse mode or vice versa. Need to find the right angle to set it to drive mode or reverse mode. It's like the gear shift is loose thread.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
You are very nearly right. There is a bowden type cable that connects the the shifter to the transmission. It has adjustable ends and one or more of those adjustments has probably worked loose. That or you might need a new shift cable or new bushings at the connections. Either way, you can have the problem conveniently solved by contacting Your Mechanic. They will send a technician to your home or office to check out your shifter and transmission and tell you exactly what you need to repair it. Meanwhile, be very careful with this car, it might not go into park when you expect it to so be sure to set the brake and park it very carefully.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

You May Have a Faulty Transmission

When your car`s critical components that control the transmission are acting up you can very likely only be able to drive in reverse. This could likely be due to a faulty computer that controls the transmission, a faulty transmission solenoid, or another issue with your transmission.

Typically, if your speed sensor is wearing out, it can make changing gears difficult or erratic. In some cases, that can keep your car from changing gears at all, meaning you could get stuck in Reverse.
Common reasons for this to happen:

Transmission cables usually break due to stretching, which happens over time or can result due to speed shifting or jamming the car into gear. Stretched Transmission Cable: Prior to breaking, a transmission cable will stretch. When this happens the car may be hard to put in park.

One reason why an automatic transmission isn`t shifting into gear has to do with the fluid. If it`s not at the right level or the incorrect type has been used, then it`ll affect the gears. Another big reason has to do with the ECM possibly going bad.
You experience delayed gear shifting and a sense of pulling or slipping when trying to shift between gears. The vehicle will not downshift as you slow down. An inability for the solenoid valve to operate may prevent your car from downshifting, and the engine will continue to rev as you attempt to brake.
The torque converter in engine-idle operating conditions will pass a certain amount of torque to the wheels, but if the hill is steep enough that the gravitational force pulling the car backwards overcomes that, the car will indeed roll backwards.
But a blown fuse No. 38 becomes a likely candidate causing a loss of power to the transmission solenoids.
Maintain Proper Transmission Fluid Levels

The #1 cause of transmission failure is low fluid, which causes overheating. In automatic transmissions, it causes delayed engagement, harsh shifts, and slippage.

Turn off your vehicle`s ignition and wait patiently for 5 to 10 seconds. Start the engine and allow it to idle for several seconds. Switch off the ignition and wait patiently for another 30 to 40 seconds. Repeat these steps 2 to 3 times in order to reset your vehicle`s transmission control module.
Shifting Problems– Clogged filters will make it hard to switch gears. If your car isn`t shifting smoothly, or if it hesitates or slips when you try to shift, you could have any number of transmission problems, so it`s best to have a professional look at it.
If your car has an automatic transmission, the shift solenoid will shift the gears for you. The transmission control unit will take the information from the engine and speed sensors along with other parts of your vehicle to then decide when to shift gears for power and fuel efficiency.
Rusting, power failure, irregular pressure, missing equipment, an incorrect amount of voltage or current, dirt stuck in the system and corrosion are some of the possible reasons why a solenoid valve may not properly close or open.
Shift Solenoid Repair and Replacement Cost

The overall cost to replace the shift solenoid in an automatic transmission ranges from $200 to $500 for a single solenoid. If the damage requires you to replace the entire solenoid pack the cost increases to between $250 and $700.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

I shifted the lever to drive mode, but it goes to reverse mode. What is the problem?
ANSWER : You are very nearly right. There is a bowden type cable that connects the the shifter to the transmission. It has adjustable ends and one or more of those adjustments has probably worked loose. That or you might need a new shift cable or new bushings at the connections. Either way, you can have the problem conveniently solved by contacting Your Mechanic. They will send a technician to your home or office to check out your shifter and transmission and tell you exactly what you need to repair it. Meanwhile, be very careful with this car, it might not go into park when you expect it to so be sure to set the brake and park it very carefully.

My pacifica runs and drives only reverse when i shift it to drive dies quickly . But you can shift it to reverse and neutral
ANSWER : This is an internal problem with the transmission and may be a valve body or leaking internal seal. The problem is the transmission leaking pressure internally, and when you put it in drive, the transmission is trying to go into reverse and drive at the same time causing the transmission to stall the engine. Have a mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, scan the computer to see if a code is received that will help detect the cause. They will be able to diagnose your stalling issue, and any other problem you are having, so that a proper repair can be made.

Shifting issues from drive to reverse and back to drive
ANSWER : Mercedes has a dealer service order (#Order No: S-B-27.19/118A
) that addresses diagnosis, and possible dealer repair of the transmission for your model. Check with your dealer to confirm coverage of this.

My car will not shift out of drive and into park – 1999 Hyundai Sonata
ANSWER : Hi. This sounds like the ignition switch has a problem and is not allowing the car to go into park. If the ignition switch is not sending the signal to the neutral safety switch that the key is in the run position, it will not allow the shifter to move. It is also possible that the shift linkage is damaged and is causing the problem you have as well.

I suggest you have a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your location to determine why the car is not shifting properly and suggest the necessary repairs

When shifting from reverse to drive or drive to reverse I hear a clicking noise.
ANSWER : Hi there. There is a gear train issue with your transmission or a bad CV Shaft that is causing the transmission to shift had into gear. Since it shifts harder in reverse than forward, I suggest that the gears inside the transmission are worn. I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you diagnose your transmission issue.

Car does not engage drive when cold, after it warms up shift into drive with no problem. No grinding ect.
ANSWER : The oil pump in your transmission is probably worn out. The oil pump produces the hydraulic pressure that the transmission uses to engage the forward clutch. As the transmission warms up and some of the clearances tighten up, there is just enough pressure to make it work, but soon it probably won’t work at all. If you haven’t changed the fluid and filter, you may be able to extend the life of the transmission some with that service, but eventually you will probably need to get an transmission or an overhaul. To get a hands on opinion, you can contact Your Mechanic They can send a technician to your home or office to check out your transmission problem and tell you for sure what it will take to solve your problem.

Won’t Shift into drive, 2008 Pontiac G8
ANSWER : Unfortunately, it sounds like you have an internal transmission problem that will require the transmission be rebuilt or replaced. A transmission that won’t go into any forward gear almost always indicates an internal mechanical problem as opposed to an electrical problem, like a sensor. I’m not sure if you have the 6L80E or 5L40E transmission, but my guess is that the problem is probably in the 1-2-3-4 clutch assembly. I suggest you have a professional, such as one from YourMechanic, diagnose the shifting issue firsthand, and advise you on the next steps.

Truck stalls when shifting into drive from park or reverse
ANSWER : Hi there. The vehicle running great, once past the initial stall, leads me away from a fuel delivery concern. The stalling issue may be, the minimum airflow rate is not properly set. This could be the result of a dirty or worn throttle body. Cleaning and/or making an adjustment to the throttle body may correct the problem. Engine running at idle, plug the IAC passage, and the RPM (revolutions per minute) should be at or near 400 rpm. A vacuum leak present could also cause the engine idle to be improperly controlled and needs to be identified before any adjustments are made. I recommend having your vehicle’s stalling issue be diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic.