Inheritance in object-oriented programming (OOP) is a way for programmers to reuse and organize code. While it can be a really useful tool, if used incorrectly or too much, it can cause many problems. I've seen this happen in different programming projects, and knowing the limits and issues can help developers avoid big headaches later on.

One major problem comes up when we have a complicated collection of classes. When the inheritance structure gets too complex, it can lead to something called the "fragile base class problem." Here’s what happens:

1. High Coupling: In a fragile structure, the smaller classes (subclasses) depend too much on their parent classes. If you change something in a parent class, it might cause unexpected problems in all the related subclasses. For example, changing one part can mess up dozens of other areas.

2. Reduced Flexibility: When the class setup is too complicated, you lose the flexibility that inheritance is supposed to give you. Changing a subclass to match updates in a parent class can be really hard. Programmers might feel trapped in strict rules that make it tough to add new features or improvements without doing a lot of extra work.

3. Difficulty in Understanding the Code: Inheritance can look neat and organized, but it can hide complexity. A class structure with many layers might seem good at first, but it makes it hard to read and understand the code. New team members might struggle to figure out how everything connects, which can lead to mistakes and wasted time.

Additionally, there's a problem called "inheritance hell." This happens when developers stack many layers of inheritance on top of each other, leading to confusion. Each layer might wrongly assume how things should work based on outdated or incorrect information.

Another issue arises from overgeneralization and misuse of abstraction. Sometimes programmers jump into inheritance too quickly. They might create a parent class that tries to do too much at once, making it cluttered with unused methods and properties. Here's a key point:

• Trying to cover too much in one class goes against the idea of keeping things simple and clear.

When we talk about polymorphism, it helps create flexible systems. However, it can cause problems when combined incorrectly with inheritance. If a subclass doesn't correctly use the parent class's constructor, it can lead to uninitialized objects or even resource leaks.

Improper use of polymorphism can also lead to confusion with method overriding. When multiple subclasses change the same method from a parent class, it can become unclear which version is being called, resulting in unexpected behavior.

Let’s also mention code bloat. When you inherit from many classes, you might end up with unnecessary code. While reusing code sounds good, it can actually make the program larger and slower than it needs to be.

Moreover, inheritance can create what's known as "interface pollution." This happens when interfaces become cluttered with too many methods because developers feel they need to create large hierarchies. Classes that use these interfaces often end up with methods they never use, making their design more complicated.

Don't forget about runtime overhead. Using polymorphism through inheritance can slow things down when a method is called. The system needs a moment to figure out which method to run, slowing down the process compared to simple method calls in a straightforward class.

On top of all these technical points, we must consider team dynamics. If a development team relies too much on inheritance, it can lead to a mindset where people depend on existing code rather than creating new solutions. This can stifle creativity, making developers more hesitant to explore better options.

In organizations, the issues with inheritance and polymorphism can make teamwork harder. New members usually need lots of training to catch up, and changing existing code could require understanding the whole class hierarchy, which is often unrealistic and time-consuming.

The solution isn't to stop using inheritance altogether but to be careful with it. When designing a system:

• Focus on composition (putting simple parts together) instead of relying too much on inheritance. It allows for building complex behaviors without tightly linking classes.
• Stick to the single responsibility principle; make sure classes and interfaces do one thing well.
• Use interfaces to define what abilities classes should have, allowing for more flexibility.

Following these best practices can help you avoid the problems of inheritance and keep your software easy to understand, maintain, and scale.

In conclusion, inheritance and polymorphism in OOP can be very powerful if used wisely. But if you're not careful, you might find yourself buried in complexity, making inheritance more of a burden than a benefit. Balancing these tools with clear coding principles is essential to build systems that work well and are easy to maintain. Sometimes, taking a step back to rethink the design is the best way to keep the project on track.