I would like to seek your advice regarding an intermittent issue with my Skoda’s gear selector. Initially, a warning message appeared, then disappeared, and it kept repeating—sometimes showing, sometimes not—over the past two months. However, in the last two weeks, the warning has become constant; it appears every time I start driving. Could you help me understand what might be causing this and if any further diagnosis or action is needed?

Welcome to the Briskoda forums.

Could you provide a little more information; what is the wording of the warning message?

Also, confirm if your Octavia is a manual or DSG (auto) ‘box.

Hopefully someone will be able to help diagnose your issue.

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.

Skoda Octavia iV 1.4 TSI Plug-in Hybrid DSG (2022)

The warning message I receive is related to the gear selector (PRNDS). It appears on the dashboard intermittently. For the past two months, it would come and go — sometimes showing, sometimes disappearing while driving or after restarting the car.

However, over the last two weeks, the warning has become constant. It now appears every time I start the car and while driving.

My vehicle is a Skoda Octavia iV with a DSG (automatic) gearbox.

Edited 5 April5 Apr by Ghadban

1 hour ago, SteveTheElder said:

what is the wording of the warning message?

1 hour ago, Ghadban said:

The warning message I receive is related to the gear selector (PRNDS).

This the warning message:

Error: selector lever.

You can drive on.

Please visit workshop.

probably requires a replacement of this unit:

https://www.skoda-parts.com/spare-part/5wa713033cd-selector-mechanism-skoda-50690.html

can be a failure of the internal microswitch which is affected by debris and mechanical wear

video shows how to get access to it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auwizaon8Q4

A dealer will have come across these issues before, be aware they will charge you for an initial diagnosis...

23 hours ago, Ghadban said:

This the warning message:

Error: selector lever.

You can drive on.

Please visit workshop.

It's a quite common error many of the 1.4 TSI DSG PHEV estate owners experience. It's a common bug in all similar VAG (Volkswagen, Skoda, Audi, Seat) models. I've seen the error about 3 or 4 times as well. But as you say, then it just disappears and doesn't appear for a couple of months or in some cases, years. Hence, even if you change the part there's no guarantee that bug isn't going to pop up again. Sadly Skoda doesn't accept it as a manufacturer error. From the link provided by others you can see that the part cost about 350 € and if you live in a EU country then it costs about another €250 to change the part.

As it seems like a passive bug and doesn't put the car into limp mode, it may be something that you can live with. In worst case scenario, you turn off the engine and start the car again "poof" the bug disappears.

I have seen couple of videos in YouTube how people fix this problem, but as I regard as it is non-invasive to daily driving, it's not worth wasting so much money on it. Of course, it's your call.

Thank you so much for the info, I really appreciate it. The warning message used to come and go, but now it stays on all the time, even after I turn the car off and on. The car drives fine, and it doesn’t affect performance, but it’s really annoying since it pops up every time. Some people suggested disconnecting the battery and rebooting it—what do you think as an expert? Thanks again!

7 minutes ago, Ghadban said:

Thank you so much for the info, I really appreciate it. The warning message used to come and go, but now it stays on all the time, even after I turn the car off and on. The car drives fine, and it doesn’t affect performance, but it’s really annoying since it pops up every time. Some people suggested disconnecting the battery and rebooting it—what do you think as an expert? Thanks again!

I have my Octavia IV (4) 1.4 TSI DSG PHEVs for about 10 months now and as many owners will agree that this series are quite problematic. They have been so problematic that even Skoda halted their production. Similarly, they are still producing Superb with similar configurations.

I'm close to the limit of getting rid of mine, as I do long journeys that makes me feel vulnerable.

Gear lever error is one of the most common bugs you see in these models. Try to search function, you will see what I mean.

TBH, I had better experience with Passat and T-ROC, which I am considering deferring back.