2013 Chrysler 200 cruise control problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Among the 7 model years of Chrysler 200 in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Chrysler 200 has multiple reports of unintended acceleration, throttle control failures, and cruise control malfunctions that create real safety risks—dealers often can't diagnose these issues because fault codes don't appear consistently, leaving owners on the hook for repairs or stuck with recurring problems.
Owners of 2013 Chrysler 200s report four distinct failure patterns tied to engine control and speed management. The most alarming is unintended acceleration: vehicles accelerate on their own, sometimes at highway speeds, and brake pedal pressure does not stop them. Several owners had to shift to neutral and coast to the roadside. The electronic throttle control light often illuminates during these events, and in at least one case the engine shut down violently after losing throttle response altogether. Throttle body replacement has been performed, though one owner's issue recurred despite this repair.
Cruise control malfunctions also appear—either it won't engage, or once engaged it locks out manual pedal control and requires multiple brake applications to disengage. One unusual report claims cruise control only activates when the horn is honked.
Transmission hesitation plagues several owners, particularly on takeoff from a stop or at traffic lights; the vehicle feels stuck in first gear or stalls entirely. One owner reports this recurred even after a dealer hard drive update.
Lastly, speedometer readings jump wildly—climbing past 80 mph or off the gauge face—during normal driving and reset only after powering the vehicle off and on.
Dealers consistently report finding no fault codes when these problems occur, making diagnosis and warranty claims difficult.
Same Chrysler 200 cruise control reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration / loss of throttle control
Vehicle accelerates without driver input, or throttle becomes unresponsive. Some owners report the electronic throttle control light illuminating when this occurs. Brake pedal depression does not stop the vehicle. In several cases, owners had to shift to neutral and coast to safety. One owner reported the vehicle also decelerated to 30 mph and would not respond to throttle input.
When: Occurs at various speeds and conditions—highway speeds, city driving, low speed in driveway, even shortly after startup (19,400 to 110,000 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden acceleration without warning; Vehicle will not accelerate when pedal depressed (paradoxically also reported); Electronic throttle control light illuminates; Traction control light illuminates; Check engine light illuminates; Engine shudder or violent shutdown; Vehicle deceleration to 30 mph with no throttle response
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement ($600 bill cited in one case); computer replacement; hard drive update mentioned in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to diagnose in multiple cases (no fault codes displayed); manufacturer offered no assistance in at least one case; one dealer blamed improper jump start and charged owner for repair despite recurring issue
Cruise control malfunction
Cruise control fails to engage or engages but prevents manual brake and gas pedal operation. One owner reports cruise control activates only when horn is honked. Another reports inability to disengage cruise control after engagement, requiring multiple brake attempts.
When: Occurs during highway driving and normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control will not set; Cruise control engages but locks out manual pedal operation; Difficulty disengaging cruise control; Cruise control activates only when horn is honked; Vehicle transmission does not shift properly during cruise malfunction; Tachometer reaches 5,500+ rpm
Repairs/costs cited: Speed control switch replacement (dealer replaced immediately in one case); no other repairs cited
Transmission shift hesitation / limp mode behavior
Vehicle hesitates during acceleration from stop, feels stuck in first gear, or will not shift into proper gears. One owner reports multiple stalls after shifting from reverse to drive, and after stopping at traffic signals. Hesitation clears after multiple pedal attempts or vehicle restart.
When: Occurs on takeoff and during normal acceleration; intermittent and random
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation on acceleration from stop; Feels stuck in first gear; cannot exceed 40 mph; Vehicle stalls after shifting from reverse to drive; Vehicle stalls at traffic signals; Fuel appears not to 'catch up' during acceleration; Transmission roars with high rpm instead of shifting
Repairs/costs cited: Hard drive update mentioned as possible solution in one case; issue recurred after update
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer found 'no codes' on computer in one case despite warranty coverage
Speedometer malfunction
Speedometer displays inaccurate readings, jumping past 80 mph or to areas where no numbers are marked on the gauge, even when vehicle is traveling at lower speeds (less than 60 mph).
When: Occurs randomly during motion on street or highway; resets when vehicle is turned off and restarted
Symptoms owners cite: Speedometer reads above actual vehicle speed; Speedometer jumps past 80 or off marked scale; Occurs while driving at normal highway speeds; Resets when vehicle is turned off and back on
Repairs/costs cited: Owner documented with photos; dealer could not reproduce issue during diagnostic
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified in one case but no resolution reported; dealer unable to determine cause
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2013 Chrysler 200?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 19,400 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 52,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 19,400; a quarter make it past 75,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.