Why is my Chrysler LHS stuck in 2nd gear or revving without moving?

Short answer: When an LHS suddenly shifts hard into 2nd and won't shift out, with the check engine light on, the transmission has gone into limp mode (a protective mode that holds one gear). A member who worked on these cars said to expect a rebuild. If the engine revs but the car barely moves, check the fluid level and condition right away; a rising fluid level can mean the transmission cooler inside the radiator has failed.

Symptom: While driving, the car jerks into 2nd and stays there, the rpm jumps and you hear a whirring noise. Or, climbing a dip, the engine revs and the car doesn't move for a few seconds in any gear.

What to check first

1. Check the transmission fluid level and smell with the engine running, as the manual describes.
2. If the level has gone up or looks milky, coolant may be mixing in from a failed cooler in the radiator.
3. Have the codes read with a scan tool that reads transmission codes.
4. Get a transmission shop's diagnosis before deciding whether to rebuild.

Likely causes

1. Internal transmission failure (limp mode). A member who worked on these said a rebuild is the usual outcome.
2. Low or burnt fluid. The first thing to check when it revs without moving.
3. Failed transmission cooler in the radiator. A member said this is the only way the fluid level can rise.
4. Torque converter problem. Raised as a possibility for the 2001 car.

What it usually costs

No final bills were posted. One member said he wouldn't spend another $2,000 to $3,000 on the 2000 LHS, which gives a sense of what owners expect a rebuild to cost. Weigh that against the car's value.

Is it safe to keep driving?

No. Limp mode leaves you with one gear, and a car that won't move when you press the gas can strand you in traffic. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

DIY only for checking fluid. Transmission diagnosis and rebuilds are shop work.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Related recalls: NHTSA lists these recalls touching this area of the Chrysler LHS: 04V021000 (1994-1999 model years, power train). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• NHTSA complaints: 173 keyword-matched complaints for Chrysler LHS 1994–2001 (of 1,022 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-25; keywords: transmission, shift, slip, gear, reverse, engage, limp, torque converter, shudder, 2nd gear, power loss). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 2001 chrysler lhs transmission on Car Talk, a 2001 LHS owner pulling up a steep dip into a parking lot lost all drive: the engine revved but the car didn't move for a few seconds, and it behaved the same in every gear. A member said that the only way the fluid level can rise is a failed transmission cooler in the radiator letting coolant in.
• In 2000 Chrysler LHS check engine light + whirring sound on Car Talk, a 2000 LHS 3.5 on cruise control slammed into 2nd, the rpm jumped, it wouldn't shift out, and a whirring noise started with the check engine light on. A member who worked on these cars said the transmission went into limp mode from a failure and to expect a rebuild; another said he wouldn't spend another $2,000 to $3,000 on it.

Quick tip

Get a real diagnosis from a transmission shop, then compare the quote with what the car is worth. On a 20-plus-year-old LHS, a good used transmission is sometimes the better deal.

Vehicle focus: 1994–2001 Chrysler LHS (3.5L V6, four-speed automatic).

Safety / mechanic note

A transmission stuck in one gear limits acceleration; avoid highways. Verify with a mechanic.