Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P073E
P073E Powertrain · generic range, no listed definition
P073E fault code: what 8 owners reported
P073E sits in the generic powertrain range (engine, transmission, fuel and emissions), but its SAE definition is not in CarHooq's list, so this page shows only what owners reported. What it meant in practice is below, from 8 complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Updated November 9, 2026.
Owners also write it as P073E00 (the last two characters are the sub-code).
- 8owner reports
- 6car models
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention a fire
- 2012–2024model years
Which cars get code P073E?
Every model whose owners mentioned P073E in a complaint, most reports first. Each year opens that car's full problem report. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.
Chrysler 200
1 reportFord Focus
1 reportGMC Terrain
1 reportMercedes-Benz GLE-Class
1 reportMercedes-Benz GLS-Class
1 reportWhere does P073E show up?
By brand
- Mercedes-Benz5
- Ford1
- GMC1
- Chrysler1
Component the owner filed it under
Is there a recall for P073E?
The others concern the component owners file this code under (Power Train) on the same cars; they may or may not relate to the code. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade, RAM ProMaster, and 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire…
2015 Chrysler 200. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chrysler 200 vehicles manufactured March 9, 2014, to December 15, 2014, and equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The automatic transmission parking pawl may become contaminated or the park rod may become dislodged or broken. This…
2015 Chrysler 200. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
What happened when owners saw P073E?
8 of the 8 reports, spread across the models above, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
vehicle: 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Component Involved: Integrated Transmission Control Module (TCM) / Mechatronic Unit Active Diagnostic Code: P073E (Unable to Engage Reverse) Description of Event: While attempting to back out of a driveway, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic electronic transmission failure. Without any warning or prior symptoms, the vehicle abruptly kicked itself out of gear and dropped into Neutral. The vehicle completely lost all propulsion and ability to move backward or forward, rendering it entirely disabled. This failure occurred directly in the path of oncoming traffic, creating an immediate, life-threatening safety hazard for myself, my passengers, and…
MOSTLY HWY DRIVING~ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, TRANSMISSION LIGHT IS ON AND VEHICLE SPEED DECREASES, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, MOST TIMES THE SCREEN WILL RESET, THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO OFF WITH IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO. STORED CODES HAVE BEEN P1DA9, P073E. I'VE TAKEN THE CARE TO THE DEALER, SOFTWARE RESET-ONLY SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME. SEARCHED FOR RECALL BY VEHICLE AND THERE ARE AT LEAST 7, BUT WHEN SEARCHING BY VIN # STATES NONE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIME BUT I WILL ENTER MOST RECENT DATE WITH COMPLAINT
P073E DTC DEALER RECOMMENDS NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER CHANGING SHIFT MODULE. DAUGHTER WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN VEHICLE APPRUPTLY LOST POWER ON MAJOR ROADWAY.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact's wife attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the gear shifter failed to move from neutral(N) and remained in Low Power Mode. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and DTC: P0700 and P073E were retrieved. In addition, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: PIP5974E; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure…
The vehicle is shifting into neutral when putting it into drive. I was told the transmission valve body broke and transmission control unit for 9-speed transmission (VGS) has to be replaced. The fault codes include P073E00, gear cannot be engaged, and U012600, Communication with the steering column module has a malfunction. The vehicle only has 77,488 miles on it.
…Some have shared diagnostic codes such as P073E and P07B7 that point to reverse and park circuit errors. Mercedes technicians and independent repair specialists who have posted on these forums frequently identify the valve body assembly as the source of the issue. Common explanations include internal hydraulic pressure faults, electrical connector leaks or sensor failures inside the valve body. Owners have been quoted thousands of dollars for valve body replacements as i was billed $2300+. This problem is not isolated to my vehicle and appears to be a recurring design or manufacturing defect that affects multiple model years and platforms sharing this transmission. Because the vehicle can…
Vehicle experienced transmission shifting issue after having driven for a period of 15 - 20 minutes, with engine oil temp reaching above 103/105 degrees C, transmission won't shift into Drive. Automatically pops into Neutral. Other times engine will stall, required complete restart. This creates hazard for operator and cars following behind as driver needed to steer vehicle out of the way of traffic while in Neutral. Independent MB repair shop and dealership scanned vehicle and identified with code P073E code. Dealer upgraded TCM control module software, and wanted to replace valve body in hope of remedy the problem. They were not 100% certain problem will be fixed. Independent repair shop…
Hi, Improper gear shifting. Vehicle engine light comes on with Error Code P073E, "reverse gear cannot be engaged" Vehicle would shift gear back into neutral position when put to Drive. When vehicle is able to be put in gear Reverse or Drive, a loud noise and shaking would occur. When driven, vehicle is in Limp Mode and can only go up of Gear 5. (this is a 9G Tronic, 9 gears in total) As I was backing up into street from a parking stall, I was not able to put the vehicle in Drive to proceed forward. Traffic was building up. Driver panicked. But finally was able to put it in Drive after a minute or so in the middle of the streets.
P073E: questions drivers ask
What does code P073E mean?
P073E sits in the generic powertrain range (engine, transmission, fuel and emissions), but its SAE definition is not in CarHooq's list, so CarHooq shows only what owners reported. 8 owners reported it to NHTSA, most often for the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class (3), Chrysler 200 (1), Ford Focus (1); their reports describe what happened.
Which cars get code P073E most often?
In NHTSA owner complaints, P073E is mentioned most for the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class (3), Chrysler 200 (1), Ford Focus (1), across 6 models and model years 2012 to 2024. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.
Is there a recall for code P073E?
No NHTSA recall text names P073E directly. 2 recalls on the cars that report this code concern the same component owners name most (Power Train); they may or may not relate to the code. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What should I do if my car shows P073E?
Write down when the code appeared and what the car did (warning lights, loss of power, noises, speed, weather). Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer or independent workshop to read the stored freeze-frame data before anyone clears the code, and keep the repair order. If the car loses power in traffic, stop driving it. CarHooq does not diagnose: these are owner reports and official recall notices, not repair advice.
How this page was made
CarHooq read the text of every owner complaint filed with NHTSA for 19 US and European brands (model years 2012 onwards) and picked out the diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote down. This page lists every mention of P073E (including sub-code forms such as P073E00). The code is in a generic range but its standard definition is not in CarHooq's list, so CarHooq shows only what owners reported. Nothing here is a diagnosis. More answers: the fault code FAQ. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 9, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.
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