NHTSA Complaint #11703293 — 2025 GMC ACADIA

I accidentally ran out of gas and my car died directly underneath a railroad crossing arm. I had been stopped to allow an Amtrak train to go by and my car died when I started to move forward after it passed. Thankfully I wasn't on the tracks, but I was close to them. I immediately got out of my car and the woman behind me said she would help push me out of the way of the crossing arm. I went to put my car in neutral, something I do weekly when I go through the car wash, but my dash kept saying "conditions not correct for shift". I tried repeatedly and it would not allow me to put the car in neutral because I couldn't fully turn it on. I did a quick search online and found there was no information on how to get it into neutral if the car is dead. My battery was still working and my car was in accessory while I was trying to change gears. I had to call 911 and they had to reach out to BNSF to alert incoming trains. It was an ordeal. I spotted a tree removal company across the street and they had a can of gas for me to use. I was able to partially fill my tank and then drive across the tracks before a train came. Afterwards I called the dealer and we discovered together that there is no backup safety feature that allows a disabled car to be put into neutral. The dealer was just as surprised as me. This seems like an obvious safety issue if a car is to break down on train tracks, the middle of the freeway, or in an intersection. I don't understand why it is allowed and why dealerships and the public are seemingly unaware of it.