P0297

Vehicle Overspeed Condition

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0297?

Usually yes — it records that a speed limit was exceeded rather than a mechanical failure. It's still worth confirming the speed reading is accurate.

Q: Can I just clear P0297?

You can, and it may not return if it was a one-off overspeed event. If it comes back, check for a wrong tire size or a faulty speed sensor.

Vehicle speed monitoring Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0297 records that the vehicle's speed went above a threshold the manufacturer programmed into the ECM — often a built-in speed limiter tied to the tire or vehicle rating. It's usually informational rather than a fault: the code can set from genuine high-speed driving, or from an inflated speed reading caused by the wrong tire size or a faulty speed sensor. It does not stop the engine from running.

High

Can I keep driving? Normally drivable — this logs that the vehicle exceeded a speed threshold; the engine is usually fine once the code is understood and cleared.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

112

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

<0.1%

of scans that found faults

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on with the stored code
Power or fuel cut felt at very high speed (speed limiter engaging)
Often no everyday driving symptoms

Common causes

Most likely first

Vehicle actually driven above its programmed maximum speed (speed limiter)Likely
Incorrect tire size or non-stock gearing inflating the calculated speedCommon
Faulty or erratic vehicle speed sensor reading too highCommon
Wiring or connector fault in the speed-sensor circuitLess often
PCM software issue (a calibration update may apply)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Scan and read freeze-frame data to see the speed the ECM recorded when the code set.
Confirm whether a genuine overspeed event happened — the code may simply be a record of hard driving.
Verify tire size and any gearing changes, and compare the speedometer against GPS.
Inspect the vehicle speed sensor and its wiring if the recorded speed looks implausible.
Clear the code and monitor; apply any manufacturer software update if applicable.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0297?+

Usually yes — it records that a speed limit was exceeded rather than a mechanical failure. It's still worth confirming the speed reading is accurate.

Can I just clear P0297?+

You can, and it may not return if it was a one-off overspeed event. If it comes back, check for a wrong tire size or a faulty speed sensor.

Read & clear P0297 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX