P0297
Vehicle Overspeed Condition
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.
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.
Related codes
Often seen with P0297
Read & clear P0297 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX