The Lemon IndexA sudden loss of power while driving, or a car stuck in limp mode, needs a check before more highway driving.
Stop and get help. Get off the road safely. Drive only as far as a shop, or have it towed if it keeps happening.
Limp mode set by the engine or transmission computer to protect itself. Then: a failing fuel pump or clogged fuel filter; a turbocharger or boost leak.
Owners describe this in 60,729 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Ford F-Series.
Cars owners report it on most
Complaints describing this symptom, by model, all years. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Model years that report it most
| Model year | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Ford Fusion | 659 | 12% |
| 2013 Ford F-Series | 376 | 12% |
| 2010 Ford Escape | 373 | 18% |
| 2012 Ford F-Series | 333 | 15% |
| 2011 Ford F-Series | 311 | 12% |
| 2018 Honda Accord | 270 | 13% |
| 2014 Jeep Cherokee | 268 | 10% |
| 2012 Ford Focus | 255 | 7% |
| 2024 Jeep Wrangler | 251 | 26% |
| 2014 Ford Focus | 250 | 9% |
| 2009 Ford Escape | 215 | 12% |
| 2016 Chevrolet Malibu | 211 | 24% |
Each row is that model year's record in NHTSA complaints, not the history of any one car. Share = complaints describing this symptom out of every complaint we hold for that model year (shown when the year has 50+ complaints).
Where it makes up the biggest share
2012 Toyota Tacoma · 33% 2017 Chevrolet Malibu · 28% 2018 Chevrolet Malibu · 27% 2022 Kia Sorento · 26% 2022 Nissan Rogue · 26% 2024 Jeep Wrangler · 26% 2013 Chevrolet Traverse · 25% 2016 Chevrolet Malibu · 24%
Model years with 150+ complaints in our data and 10+ describing this symptom, ranked by share. A high share means owners of that year who complained often mentioned it.
The details
Common causes of car loses power while driving
- Limp mode set by the engine or transmission computer to protect itself
- A failing fuel pump or clogged fuel filter
- A turbocharger or boost leak
- A clogged catalytic converter
- A failed throttle or accelerator pedal sensor
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive if your car loses power while driving?
Stop and get help. Get off the road safely. Drive only as far as a shop, or have it towed if it keeps happening.
Get help right away if it happened at highway speed; it happens again.
Of the 60,729 complaints describing it, 1% mention a crash, 6% say the car was towed, 2% mention a fire and 0.7% report an injury.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: engine (39%), power train (32%), electrical system (23%), vehicle speed control (12%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 67,415 miles.
Most reports by make: Ford (13,309), Chevrolet (7,027), Jeep (3,944), Hyundai (3,860), Nissan (3,557).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (cooling, engine, exhaust & emissions, fuel system repairs): the middle half ran $1,200 to $8,000, typical $4,000, from 1,113 bills.
Each figure is one repair bill as an owner wrote it in a complaint, not a quote for your car. Prices vary with the part, the shop and the year.
Engine codes that come up with it
P1326 P2111 P2138 P2112 P0300 P0302 P0304 P0303
Trouble codes owners named in these complaints more often than in other symptom complaints. Look up any code →
Related symptoms
Check engine light flashing Car shaking and check engine light on Engine misfire All dashboard warning lights on Car jerks when accelerating Car hesitates when accelerating
Quick answers
What causes car loses power while driving?
A sudden loss of power while driving, or a car stuck in limp mode, needs a check before more highway driving. Common causes: limp mode set by the engine or transmission computer to protect itself; a failing fuel pump or clogged fuel filter; a turbocharger or boost leak; a clogged catalytic converter; a failed throttle or accelerator pedal sensor.
Is it safe to drive if your car loses power while driving?
Stop and get help. Get off the road safely. Drive only as far as a shop, or have it towed if it keeps happening.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Ford F-Series, Ford Escape and Ford Fusion. These are raw counts, so popular models rank higher; complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
How much does it cost to fix?
In 1,113 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $1,200 to $8,000. The right repair depends on the cause.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text describes this symptom (we matched owners' own wording, then read samples to check the matches). A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis or proof of a defect. Causes and advice are general information in our own words, not repair advice for your car. Every symptom · Engine code lookup