Posted on 1/30/2026

When a transmission goes into limp mode, it can feel like the car suddenly slows down and becomes stubborn. You press the gas, and it responds, but it won’t shift the way it normally does, and the power feels limited. Sometimes it happens right after a hard merge, sometimes after a long drive, and sometimes during a random errand run. Limp mode is frustrating, but it’s usually the vehicle trying to prevent a smaller fault from turning into expensive internal damage. What Limp Mode Feels Like From The Driver’s Seat Most drivers notice one of two things first. Either the vehicle feels stuck in one gear, or it shifts in a way that feels wrong, harsh, delayed, or both. You may also notice the engine revs higher than usual because the transmission is not moving through gears normally. In some cars, the throttle response feels muted, like the computer is holding the vehicle back. That’s not your imagination. The powertrain system often limits torq ... read more