P271B is the upper-limit partner of P271A: the signal from park pawl position sensor A reads above its plausible range. Typical electrical causes are a broken ground or signal wire, which lets the input float towards the reference, or a short to a supply line. No manufacturer documents P271B publicly. The closest published case concerns the same sensor at its lower limit, Ford's recall 26V688 for the Integrated Park Module of the HF55 hybrid transmission, which shows what is at stake: if the controller cannot trust the pawl position it may refuse to leave Park or drop to Neutral. Most systems carry a second sensor B as a cross-check (P271C/P271D), so a single high reading is normally caught before the pawl moves unintentionally.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?Drive gently to a repair shop. If it slips, you hear clunks, or it loses its gears, do not keep driving.
Symptoms
- Shift system warning on the display
- Park cannot be selected or released
Most likely causes
- Open sensor ground or signal wire
- Signal wire shorted to reference or battery voltage
- Corroded or loose connector at the park actuator
- Failed position sensor A
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- It can trigger limp mode.
What each character of P271B means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 2: Generic code: same on every make
- 7: Transmission
- 1B: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P271B?
Drive gently to a repair shop. If it slips, you hear clunks, or it loses its gears, do not keep driving.
What causes code P271B?
The most common causes are: open sensor ground or signal wire; signal wire shorted to reference or battery voltage; corroded or loose connector at the park actuator.
Related codes
- P271APark Pawl Position Sensor A Circuit Low
- P271DPark Pawl Position Sensor B Circuit High
- P271CPark Pawl Position Sensor B Circuit Low
- P272CPark Pawl Motor Control Circuit
Sources
Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.