A wireless terminal participates in communications over a radio interface with an access node of a radio access network (RAN). The wireless terminal comprises processor circuitry configured to detect an abnormal operation of the wireless terminal and to autonomously declare a Safe-Mode without permission of the radio access network. In an example implementation, the processor circuitry is further configured to generate a safe mode indication configured to indicate to the access node that one or more capabilities supported by the wireless terminal is temporarily not available at the wireless terminal; and wherein the wireless terminal further comprises transmitter circuitry configured to transmit the safe mode indication over the radio interface to the access node.