P0705 on Subaru
Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDL Input)
P0705 on Subaru vehicles indicates transmission range sensor circuit malfunction (prndl input). Au7o has documented this code across 3 Subaru models — most commonly on Forester, Legacy, Outback. The transmission range sensor (also called the neutral safety switch or PRNDL switch) tells the computer which gear position the shifter is in (Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive). P0705 sets when the signal from this sensor is missing, out of range, or inconsistent. Symptoms include no-start in Park, the wrong gear indicator on the dash, harsh or incorrect shifts, and sometimes the engine starting in any gear position.
Common Causes of P0705
- •Faulty transmission range / neutral safety switch
- •Misadjusted shift linkage or range sensor
- •Damaged or corroded wiring and connectors
- •Poor ground connection
- •Failed PCM or TCM
P0705 on Subaru by Model
Subaru Forester(1 issue)
- 2022 Forester Inhibitor Switch Water Ingress — Reverse Lights and Backup Camera May Not Work (NHTSA 23V755000)2022
If you drive a 2022 Forester, it may be covered by Subaru recall WRQ-23. An insufficient weld in the automatic transmission's inhibitor switch (the park/neutral start interlock switch) can allow water to work its way into the switch, and a water-contaminated switch can stop working. Because the Forester uses that switch to detect that reverse has been selected, the failure shows up as the reverse lamps not illuminating and the rearview camera image not coming up on the infotainment screen. Backing up without the camera view and without reverse lights to warn people behind you raises the chance of a collision, which is why NHTSA treats this as a safety defect. The recall's 95,830 units are the campaign-wide total for all Subaru models involved.
Subaru Legacy(1 issue)
- Transmission Inhibitor Switch Failure From Water Intrusion (NHTSA Recall 23V755000 / WRQ-23)2021-2023
2021-2023 Legacy sedans are among the vehicles Subaru recalled under campaign WRQ-23. The defect is a weld on the park/neutral start interlock switch — the inhibitor switch — that was not made adequately, allowing water to enter the switch body and cause the switch to fail. A Legacy with a failed inhibitor switch may not light its reverse lamps and may not bring up the rearview camera image, both of which matter most when backing out of a parking space or driveway. NHTSA rates the consequence as an increased crash risk. Note that the 95,830-unit figure attached to this recall is the total for the entire campaign across every model included, not a count of Legacys.
Subaru Outback(1 issue)
- Inhibitor (Park/Neutral) Switch Water Intrusion Disabling Reverse Lights and Rearview Camera (Recall 23V755000 / WRQ-23)2021-2023
An insufficient weld between the switch stator and cover of the transmission inhibitor (park/neutral start interlock) switch allows water intrusion over time, causing the switch to become inoperative. When it fails, the reverse lights do not illuminate and the rearview/backup camera image does not display when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, increasing the risk of a backover crash. Subaru recalled certain 2021-2023 Outback (and Legacy, plus 2021 Crosstrek and 2022 Forester) vehicles; roughly 51,470 Outbacks were among the ~95,830 total affected.
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View P0705 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0705 mean on Subaru?▼
P0705 stands for "Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDL Input)." The transmission range sensor (also called the neutral safety switch or PRNDL switch) tells the computer which gear position the shifter is in (Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive). P0705 sets when the signal from this sensor is missing, out of range, or inconsistent. Symptoms include no-start in Park, the wrong gear indicator on the dash, harsh or incorrect shifts, and sometimes the engine starting in any gear position. On Subaru specifically, this code is documented across 3 models.
What causes P0705 on Subaru vehicles?▼
Common causes on Subaru: Faulty transmission range / neutral safety switch, Misadjusted shift linkage or range sensor, Damaged or corroded wiring and connectors, Poor ground connection, Failed PCM or TCM. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0705 on a Subaru?▼
Repair costs vary widely depending on the root cause and specific Subaru model.
Which Subaru models have P0705 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0705 on 3 Subaru models: Forester, Legacy, Outback.