i have an '03 1.8t with about 117000 miles on it. For about a year now I have been getting the traction control light coming on and the car goes into a "get home mode" When I say this I mean the car will not rev up and shifts extremely hard once you make it to speed. The traction control light is the only indication that the computer displays on the dash. I can shut the car down and turn it back on and its fine. This is something that happens once every 3 months or so...any ideas?

 

YOU MIGHT HAVE A BAD VEHICAL SPEED SENSOR. ECM DOSEN'T KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. THIS WILL MESS WITH YOUR SHIFT AND TRAC CONTROL.