P0574 code meaning
Cruise Control System Vehicle Speed Too High
What P0574 means
Cruise control buttons are almost always a resistor ladder on one or two signal lines, each button giving its own voltage; the module reading it (GM and Saab from about 2010: the body module; FCA: steering column module or PCM) sends the button state to the engine module over CAN. CARB names cruise control as the example of an emission-neutral diagnosis – it is simply switched off – so GM lists all these codes as type C and Ford as non-MIL: no warning lamp, the engine runs normally. P0574 is a condition code: cruise control is active, but road speed exceeds its upper limit or clearly exceeds the set speed – for example downhill when engine braking is not enough, or with an implausible speed signal. Cruise control is then switched off. No manufacturer document available to us uses this code.
P0574 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P0574
- Cruise control switches off at high speed
- Cruise control locked out
- No check engine light, engine runs normally
Common causes of P0574
- PossibleDriving situation (long descent, towing) where speed cannot be held
- PossibleImplausible speed signal (speed sensor, ABS wheel speed)
- Less likelySoftware or cruise logic
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Cruise control systemVehicle speed sensorEngine control module
What each part of P0574 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 5 | Area: vehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs. |
| 74 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0574 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P0574
What does P0574 mean?
P0574 means "Cruise Control System Vehicle Speed Too High". Cruise control buttons are almost always a resistor ladder on one or two signal lines, each button giving its own voltage; the module reading it (GM and Saab from about 2010: the body module; FCA: steering column module or PCM) sends the button state to the engine module over CAN. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0574?
P0574 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will P0574 fail an emissions test?
P0574 is not an emissions code, so on its own it usually does not fail an emissions test. Other stored codes or a lit check engine light still can.
How hard is P0574 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 1.5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0574 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.