I have been covering the Skoda Octavia MK3 VRS in some detail, with our Skoda MK3 VRS buyers guide proving very popular. The MK3 VRS has stood the test of time reasonably well, but there is one fault that keeps coming up in comments, emails and the owners groups: DSG fault code 617752, the gear selector park position switch failure.
I first noticed it on my own 2015 VRS TDI DSG at around 63,000 miles. The error reads: Error: Workshop! Leave vehicle only when selector lever is in position P. It flashes up on the maxi dot display for a few seconds, accompanied by an error tone, then disappears. Unsettling, but easy to ignore. Until it starts happening every time you drive the car.
Since publishing the original article in 2019, over 30 owners have left comments sharing their own experiences. This updated version pulls all of that together into a definitive guide to what the fault is, what causes it, and how to fix it — including the genuine VW repair kit that costs under £100 and takes 30 minutes to fit.
What Is the Fault?
The technical description is a Selector Lever Park Position Lock Switch failure, recorded as fault 617752 in VCDS diagnostic software. The OBD equivalent is P173400. The raw VCDS output looks like this:
617752 - Selector Lever Park Position Lock Switch B1162 29 [024] - Signal Implausible Intermittent - Confirmed - Not Tested Since Memory Clear
What this means in plain English: the microswitch inside the gear selector assembly that detects whether the lever is in Park has developed a fault. The car’s systems cannot reliably confirm the lever position, so it triggers the warning. The switch is not failing completely, which is why the error is intermittent. It is degrading, and over time the intervals between warnings will shorten until the fault becomes permanent.
This is not exclusive to the Skoda Octavia. Comments on this article and wider community research confirm it affects the VW Golf MK7, Skoda Superb, Skoda Fabia, Seat Leon, Seat Ibiza, VW Arteon and other VAG MQB platform vehicles fitted with the 6-speed and 7-speed DSG gearbox.
The Good News: There Is a Proper Fix
The original article noted that dealers were quoting £800 to £1,000 for a full gear selector assembly replacement, and some were advising owners to “not bother out of warranty.” That advice is wrong and expensive.
A genuine VW repair kit is available that fixes the underlying microswitch fault without replacing the entire assembly. There are two versions depending on your selector housing:
White housing (most 6-speed DSG applications): approximately £100. Part number 5Q0-713-128-A covers most applications in this category.
Black housing (most 7-speed DSG applications): approximately £70.
Reader Stu Lee confirmed fitting the kit to his wife’s 2016 Golf took 30 minutes on a first attempt and could be done in 20 minutes second time around. He also pointed to a supplier at deutsche-parts.co.uk. There are also videos on YouTube demonstrating the procedure.
Reader cebusta noted back in 2020 that the microswitch itself can be sourced for just a few pounds (rated SM5 5A 125/250VAC) if you want to go even further down the DIY route, and shared a guide with pictures at drive2.com. The plugs on the microswitch show burn marks which confirms the root cause.
Warranty and Goodwill Coverage
If your car is within the standard 3-year warranty or an extended 5-year warranty, dealers have been replacing the selector under warranty without charge.
Outside of warranty, the picture is more mixed. Some owners have had the part covered as manufacturer goodwill, with labour charged separately at around £300 to £330. Others have been told to pay the full cost or been dismissed entirely. Reader Russ Wright reported that his dealer said “tough luck your warranty expired” and claimed it was not a safety issue.
If you are being refused goodwill coverage, it is worth contacting the manufacturer directly rather than accepting the dealer’s position. VW Group are aware of this fault and the response to direct contact has in some cases been more positive than the dealer response. It is also worth asking whether the car was serviced at a main dealer throughout its life, as this tends to improve the goodwill outcome.
Is It Safe to Drive With This Fault?
Many owners have driven with fault 617752 for months or years without immediate mechanical failure. The error is intermittent and the car continues to drive normally in most cases.
However there are two reasons not to ignore it indefinitely. First, the fault will worsen over time and could eventually cause the car to enter limp home mode or become undriveable. Second, the warning tone that sounds when the error triggers is a genuine distraction while driving. Reader Ian Clark made the point that looking down at the dash when the alarm sounds could cause you to miss a hazard. That is a reasonable safety concern.
Get it diagnosed, explore the repair kit option, and do not let a dealer quote you £1,000 for a full assembly replacement without first asking whether the genuine VW repair kit is an option.
Real-World Costs From Owners
Based on comments from over 30 owners since 2019:
Genuine VW repair kit: £70 to £100 depending on housing type. DIY fit in 30 minutes.
Dealer repair under warranty: free.
Dealer repair out of warranty with goodwill part: approximately £330 labour only.
Dealer repair out of warranty, full assembly: £626 to £1,000 depending on dealer and vehicle.
Microswitch only (advanced DIY): a few pounds plus time.
Let’s Hear From You
This article has been running since 2019 and the comments below remain one of the most useful resources for owners dealing with this fault. If you have had the issue, been quoted a price, had it fixed under warranty or managed a DIY repair, please share your experience in the comments. Every piece of information helps other owners navigate what can be a frustrating and expensive situation.
We will keep this article updated as new information comes in.
Related reading:
Hi Karl
I’ve not gone to main dealer I have emailed skoda UK themselves, looking at the service you can get with skoda online it states you should have a diagnostic check, I am wondering if mine was ignored as it was happening before my last service. It does seem it’s an issue and in my opinion it should be a recall.
Thanks Darren, I completely agree. Now the cars are starting to get some years behind them it might be more common than I expected.
Could you keep us in the loop? I have this sinking feeling that this might just be a massive issue for owners with the DSG box. My email address is karl (at) hypermiler.co.uk – Cheers
My 2017 octy 1.4 has had the same, luckily for me its just in its last month of warranty. The dealer hasn’t quibbled. That suggests to me the VAG group are fully aware and accepting such warranty claims. For those out of warranty with fairly average to low mileage might have a case with VAG considering the evidence. My dealer has charged them £378 for the repair.
My 2017 Octavia estate had the same problem but Skoda fixed it free of charge 36000 miles on the clock. There was no quibble about the fix they just booked it in and did it.
Hi mine is an automatic estate 2017 and this has been happening with mine for past couple of months. My local Skoda dealership Bristol Street Motors at Derby booked it in for a service and to fix the error message up. It only has 38000 on clock, they did the service charged me over £300 then said sorry but we can’t do the fault???? I am livid. Who did you contact and was yours still under warranty? Thanks Moira.
Hi
I have the same problem.
My car is at Skoda as I type this awaiting a call on the price to fix the problem.
Also have the airbag light on constantly and have been told it needs to have the airbag ecu changed.
Hi my name is aman from india m havin a skoda octavia 2014 havin a issue error workshop leave vehicle in position P plz contact
There is a repair instructions with pictures from someone about the issue. I accidentally found the web link while searching for the vcds error. “617752 – Selector Lever Park Position Lock Switch”. He only changed a microswitch in the selector which can cost 3-4 dollars. As it can be seen from the pictures, the microswitch plugs are burned. he replaces the switch and problem gones. I read the text on the switch as “sm5 5a 125/250vac”. the link is: https://www.drive2.com/l/508123356931818175/
Hi I have same problems with my skoda Octavia dsg automatic. Error workshop. Exit vehicle in p position. Fault code is.B116229.my vehicle age is 2016. Does it still under warranty? Please help thanks.
This is an issue covered under warranty however standard warranty is only for 3 years unless you have the extra 5-year warranty pack. You might get the part covered by goodwill if it’s been serviced with Skoda otherwise, you’ll be looking at around a £900 / £1000 bill.
Hi karl i am from india driving a skoda octavia vrs 2018 i have error code P173400 starter release from the selector lever sensor system – intermittent …. is there any solution to it or we can drive without any issues.
Hi Karl. I have just started experiencing this problem on a Skoda Suberb 2015 model with only circa 50,000 miles on the clock. My local garage has kindly suggested a mere £800 to fix it!
Have you or anyone else heard of any cases of this worsening to the point of being stuck in limp home or unable to drive. Really poor for a premium product from a manufacturer.
My 2016 Octavia VRS, with less than 40,000 miles on the clock, has done this a couple of times in the last couple of years, but the error immediately went away and didn’t come back. But now, it happens every time I use the car. What is very frustrating is my extended warranty expired in March, 2021…
What did you end up doing with regards to fixing it?
Dobar Dana kod mene je Problem Sto je jedan prijatelj vadio Sve Po jedan osigurac i vracam sada Mu Auto nece vise da izade iz P ja Sam jucer pola prigledao mogu ga da ga izbacim kad pritisnem plastiku pored rucice a mene zanima kako nemozes Struje na ploci od rucice ne svijetli (P,R,N,D)
Our 2018 Fabia that we’ve had for just under 2 years and about 20,000kms suddenly started displaying this message this week. Here in Australia the car came with a 5 year warranty so I’ve got it booked in to be fixed next week.
I understand that issue address the D and S drive elector mechanism switch and replaceing it fixes the issue.
What I read about some drivers ignore it and drive the car for years without fixing it, so is this error message means something is broken or not working, otherwise is it just a bug when the warranty expires and that VW cant explain the reason of getting but earning service fee over it?
Just to add – my 2016 Superb has this fault. I bought a years warranty from Skoda as I only bought the car in Feb. They quoted £626.94 to fix (think that’s just the part?) but I have £250 excess on warranty. Happy it is getting fixed, though.
I have got same problem with mine. I think should be recalled as could be seen as safe issue as distraction when Alam goes off. And as you look down could miss someone walk out or brake.
I have this problem on my 2014 Golf and I agree that this should be a recall
I have the same problem on a 2016 Octavia 1.4tsi with under 40k on the clock.
Dealer and Skoda UK closed ranks and say “tough luck your warranty expired” claim it’s not a safety issue as the UK owners guide days to apply your hand brake each time you park… Yeah like that happens with auto drivers! Not impressed and my next career will not be a Skoda!!
The Part 5Q0-713-128-A should solve your problems. There is another fix for a different Version of the gear selector (to different manufacturer’s). Price is 50 € in Germany…search on eBay. If you have a white cover on top of the gear selection box the above mentioned switch will not fit.
Helou.. help pls.Do you know part number of another fix for a different version of thegear selector?
My Husbands Seat leon 2016 FR has come up with the message as stated above. Is this something that should be done?
I have a Arteon built in 2017. My car has a click when gear leaver is placed into park every forth try.
My dealer has adjusted cable and fitted a new gear knob assembly But it still Happens.
I have complained But they say that’s how the gear shift is Good Bye.
Car is still in warranty. I have rang Volkswagen Australia four time But no answer ?
Any ideas would be a great Help !
I have just bought a 67 reg SEAT Ibiza with the auto box…have driven around 300 miles, and am getting the same error message.The gear lever is in P as that is the only position you can pull the key out.It seems this is the micro switch, for which there is a ‘fix’. Have just arranged for it to go into the SEAT Dealer for diagnostic.
I have the very same on my Skoda fabia dsg intermittent problem flashe up for a second or so ,leaved a warning triangle on screen which disappears at next start up.
Very frustrating and now furious that it is so widespread, and VW aren’t actively sorting it out or even acknowledging it is a problem.
If it’s not going to cause an mechanical or electrical failure I can only live with it . Or sell it!,,
Is that what VW would like?
There are genuine VW retrofit parts available to fix this problem quite easily. I have fixed my wife’s 2016 6 speed DSG golf. There are two different parts which correspond to the selector housing, my Golf was white and I think the 7 speed is black, priced at £100 for the white version, £70 for the black version and available from the dealer although they didn’t seem to know about this.
I have a link to a place to buy the part and there is also a video link to show how it’s fitted. It took me 30 minutes on my first try, and could easily do it in twenty again.
https://www.deutsche-parts.co.uk/vw-audi-skoda-seat-mqb-cars-dsg-gear-selector-repair-kit-new-genuine-vw-part.html
i have a dsg in a skoda octavia 1.8 tsi
after 5 mins driving the gear selected displayed starts to flash
horror story is in a uk skoda forum its the megatronic failing … £900 fix and a skoda dealer told one guy the whole unit needed changing … £3000 !!
look out for this … apparently a lost recall back 2011/2012
this supposed brilliant auto box is looking a nightmare me thinks
tom
I’ve learnt that it is the micro switch quite inexpensive and a quick fix,there are two different types so no need to replace
The hole assembly.loads of videos on you tube hope this helps
My 2016 Leon fr has the issue. The local dealer wants to charge me 450 euros to fix it.