NHTSA complaint #11718026

Owner complaint summary

Incident Summary: On February 14, 2026, at an automatic conveyor car wash, my Nissan vehicle would not shift into neutral while in motion on the conveyor belt. It stayed in drive/reverse, creating a hazard as it could resist conveyor movement or cause unintended acceleration/reverse. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Transmission shifter/gear selection system (likely electronic shift-by-wire or CVT controls) prevented shift to neutral while vehicle was in low-speed motion. This seems due to a software safety interlock blocking neutral during movement, similar to reported Nissan issues (e.g., Rogue/Pathfinder/Ariya models requiring hold procedures or "neutral hold mode"). Vehicle available for inspection and in my possession, Knoxville TN). How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Inability to shift to neutral prevented free rolling on conveyor, risking resistance, jerky movement, hopping off track, collision with mechanism/other vehicles, or rear-end incidents. Hazard to me (driver) and car wash attendants/customers. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? UNKNOWN — Incident today; not yet diagnosed/reproduced at dealer. Similar owner complaints noted in forums (difficulty shifting to neutral at car washes due to safety features). Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? UNKNOWN — No inspections yet by Nissan, police (no crash), insurance, or others. No damage occurred. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lamps, messages, noises, or symptoms prior. Shifter worked normally idle (shifted to neutral after initial exit), but failed again in motion—likely motion-related interlock.