One of the most immediately risky transmission problems is when it won’t stay in gear because an unexpected drop into neutral can prevent you from accelerating. Depending on the situation, this can be a danger while on the road (this holds for automatics as well).
This is likely the result of one or more of the transmission’s components (a bearing, the clutch, flywheel, etc.) wearing out and needing a replacement. It could also be caused by water getting into the normally sealed-off transmission system, say, from offroading or recent heavy rains with flooding. Or maybe it’s the transmission fluid — again — which could be low, leaking, or in need of replacement.
In this case, it’s less important to troubleshoot the cause and crucial to get it fixed right away. Should your transmission start to randomly drop out of gear, take the car to a mechanic as quickly and safely as possible.
