Speed Control Operates Intermittently
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Dodge Charger cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Dodge Charger have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 65,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Charger | 4 |
| 2011 Charger | 6 |
| 2012 Charger | 6 |
| 2013 Charger (this page) | 11 |
| 2014 Charger | 12 |
| 2015 Charger | 7 |
| 2016 Charger | 3 |
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 11 cruise control complaints filed for the 2013 Dodge Charger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Speed Control Operates Intermittently
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor 1) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displaying Clean Radar Sensor in Front of Vehicle or DTC C1266 ACC Sensor Blinded, please verify that there is no blockage in front of the sensor. Blockage can occur from mud, ice, snow, front end damage, bracket damage, the sensor not attached to the bracket properly or an aftermarket fascia installed. This fault can occur intermittently in muddy or icy/snowy conditions and is considered normal operation. Under some circumstances, a misaligned sensor can also cause the C1266 DTC, please complete an alignment procedure. No replacement is required.~ 2) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displayi
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Passenger Compartment Odor This bulletin involves replacing all door weatherstrip seals and decklid seals on select models. The door weatherstrip seals on all models and decklid weatherstrip seals on 300's and Chargers have been contaminated during part processing and it will create an odor in the passenger compartment.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Cruise control in these 2013 Chargers exhibits multiple fault patterns. Several owners report the cruise speed +/– buttons triggering uncontrolled acceleration instead of normal 1 MPH adjustments—one car shot from 67 to 90+ MPH on a single tap, requiring hard braking to stop; the failure repeated immediately on the next attempt. Another owner's cruise on/off switch and cancel button became intermittently unresponsive, demanding violent steering wheel strikes to activate the system; they logged repeated failed 20+ minute freeway drives with no engagement. Dealership cluster replacement and software updates provided only temporary relief, with failures recurring every 15,000–20,000 miles. Two separate incidents involved uncontrolled acceleration in reverse and at highway speeds, both undiagnosed. One owner experienced cruise disengagement followed by ABS, traction control, and check engine warnings before the engine stalled. A third owner reported the cruise on/off button simply wouldn't respond while driving. The failures span 700 miles to 180,000 miles, suggesting no single wear-related cause.
Same Dodge Charger cruise control reports on nearby years: 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Cruise control uncontrolled acceleration on +/- button input
Tapping the cruise speed increment button causes the accelerator to remain engaged, forcing rapid uncontrolled acceleration instead of the expected 1 MPH increment. Requires hard brake pressure to disengage.
When: 16,000 miles (new vehicle)
Symptoms owners cite: Single tap of + button causes rapid acceleration to 90+ MPH; Accelerator remains engaged rather than incrementing speed; Repeated occurrence on second activation attempt; Requires hard braking to stop
Cruise control switch malfunction and intermittent engagement
Cruise control on/off switch fails to respond consistently. Cancel button non-functional. Requires violent hitting of steering wheel cluster to engage; repairs through cluster replacement and software updates last only 15,000–20,000 miles before recurring.
When: Recurring every 15,000–20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control switch won't turn on/off; Cancel button non-functional; Requires repeated violent steering wheel strikes to engage; Intermittent activation, sometimes failing over 25+ minute drives; Problem recurs shortly after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Cluster replaced; software updated twice (dealership and independent mechanic)
Cruise control failure to activate
Cruise control on/off button does not engage the system when pressed while driving on highways or city streets.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Speed control will not turn on when on/off button is pressed; Failure occurs while in motion on city streets or highways
Uncontrolled vehicle acceleration in reverse
Vehicle accelerates uncontrollably from 15 to 50 MPH while being reversed. Owner struck three other vehicles. No diagnosis performed.
When: 56,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerated on its own while reversing; Speed increased from 15 to 50 MPH; Resulted in collision with three parked/stationary vehicles; Airbags did not deploy despite impact
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to independent mechanic but not diagnosed
Uncontrolled acceleration at various speeds
Vehicle accelerates unexpectedly while traveling at various speeds. Cause undetermined; vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
When: 20,900 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle erroneously accelerated while traveling at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired
Cruise control system failure with electrical shutdown
Cruise control disengages, followed by ABS/traction control and check engine warning lights. Vehicle stalls and becomes immobile on highway.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control turned off unexpectedly; ABS/traction control light illuminated; Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle stalled and would not move; Owner suspects faulty alternator
Repairs/costs cited: Owner suspects faulty alternator
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge charger. While reversing the vehicle, it accelerated on its own from 15 to 50 MPH. As a result, the contact's vehicle struck three other vehicles. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed. It was unknown if a dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2013 Dodge Charger?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2013 Dodge Charger?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 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 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 48,000 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 48,000; a quarter make it past 120,000. 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Dodge/Charger.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.