P0700: Transmission Control System Malfunction
The transmission computer has logged a problem and is asking the engine computer to turn on the check engine light. P0700 is the headline — there's a more specific transmission code stored alongside it.
Can I keep driving?
Be cautious. If the car is shifting harshly or is stuck in limp mode, driving can cause more damage. Short, gentle trips to a shop are safer than long ones.
Symptoms you might notice
- Harsh, late, or flared shifts
- Transmission stuck in one gear (limp mode)
- Check engine light, sometimes with a transmission warning light
What to check first
- Get the more specific code. P0700 only says the transmission computer logged a fault. Many cheap readers show only engine codes, so you may need a scanner that reads the transmission module.
- Check the transmission fluid level and look at its color and smell. Dark fluid or a burnt smell is a bad sign.
- If the fluid is low, find out why before topping it off.
- Leave internal repairs and shift solenoid work to a transmission shop unless you have done it before.
Most common causes
- Internal transmission fault (paired with another P07xx code)
- Low or burnt transmission fluid
- Failed shift solenoid
Check it against your exact vehicle
A code means the same thing on every car, but where the parts are and what to check first depends on your year, make, model and engine. Tell CaliperAI what you are seeing and it will help narrow down the likely causes for your vehicle.
Not sure this is your problem? Browse common car problems by symptom.
General information about this code, not a diagnosis of your specific vehicle. Safety-critical work such as brakes, fuel and airbags is best left to a qualified mechanic.