Speed Control Operates Intermittently
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Dodge Charger cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Dodge Charger have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control 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 →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Charger | 6 |
| 2012 Charger | 6 |
| 2013 Charger | 11 |
| 2014 Charger (this page) | 12 |
| 2015 Charger | 7 |
| 2016 Charger | 3 |
3crashes
2injuries
What stands out
Among the 10 model years of Dodge Charger in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
2014 Charger owners describe a troubling pattern of acceleration and braking failures. The adaptive cruise control behaves abnormally: when owners press the RES/+ button to accelerate to a new speed, the vehicle continues accelerating like a rocket until they cancel cruise or hit the brakes—it won't hold the target speed the way conventional cruise controls do. Several owners experienced sudden, uncontrolled acceleration to 90–100+ mph without touching the throttle, sometimes while just driving normally or even parked. One owner crashed into a ditch after braking, another hit a curb, and a third had the vehicle roll into a building when exiting. At least two owners report the accelerator pedal itself failing.
In parallel, ABS and ESC warning lights frequently illuminate, sometimes disabling cruise control entirely. One owner paid for repairs after an alternator recall, only to have the ABS fail again; the dealer's service writer admitted this happens "quite frequently" on these cars. Another owner found all brake lights on when they purchased the vehicle and learned the ABS control module was bad, but the manufacturer has since discontinued the necessary parts. The symptoms rarely produce diagnostic codes that shops can pull, making diagnosis difficult. Dealers have been unable or unwilling to fix these issues, and Chrysler's responses range from claiming the systems work as designed to saying parts are unavailable or that warranty coverage has expired.
Same Dodge Charger cruise control reports on nearby years: 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) not stopping acceleration/deceleration
When using RES/+ to increase speed, the vehicle continues accelerating beyond the set speed until the driver cancels cruise control or brakes. Similarly, when using SET/- to decrease speed, the vehicle continues slowing down. The control does not maintain the selected speed as expected, and manual pressure release does not stop the acceleration or deceleration. Owners report this behavior differs from conventional cruise controls and poses a safety hazard, especially for occasional drivers unfamiliar with the system.
When: During highway driving; one owner reported the issue occurring over six months of ownership with multiple dealer visits
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle continues to accelerate beyond set speed when RES/+ button is pressed; Vehicle continues to decelerate beyond set speed when SET/- button is pressed; Releasing pressure on control buttons does not stop the acceleration or deceleration; Issue occurs with both ACC and conventional cruise control modes
Repairs/costs cited: Control hardware was shipped to Chrysler for analysis; Chrysler stated the system is operating as designed, though the owner's handbook does not document this behavior
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler informed dealer that the ACC is supposed to operate in this fashion
Sudden unintended acceleration during passing
Vehicle accelerates dramatically and uncontrollably to over 100 mph when the accelerator pedal is pressed during a normal passing maneuver on a two-lane road. Braking is required to prevent further acceleration. Shifting to neutral does not cut engine power, and the vehicle maintains full RPM. The owner notes Dodge has a known recall for this issue with cruise control but believes the problem occurs without cruise control engaged as well.
When: During normal highway passing maneuver; vehicle had been serviced under recall for cruise control issue within the previous month
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden dramatic acceleration to over 100 mph when accelerator pedal is pressed; Braking required to slow vehicle; Shifting to neutral does not reduce engine RPM or power; Engine continues running at full RPM even in neutral; Computer prevents engine shutdown while in neutral (requires Park)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle had been serviced under a known Dodge recall for cruise control acceleration issue within the previous month
Cruise control speed overshoot on downhill grades
While descending a steep hill with cruise control set to 73 mph, the vehicle autonomously increases speed to 90 mph without driver input. The driver felt unsafe, and when the vehicle was brought to the dealer, no diagnosis could be established.
When: At approximately 11,000 miles, during highway driving on a steep downhill section
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle speed increases from set speed (73 mph) to 90 mph without driver input; Occurs on downhill grades
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer was unable to diagnose the failure
Sudden acceleration causing loss of control and crash
At approximately 60 mph, when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle slowed down and the driver lost control, crashing into a ditch. The driver sustained injuries to the neck, chest, and head, requiring medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
When: At approximately 28,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle does not respond appropriately to brake pedal depression; Loss of vehicle control; Vehicle crashes into ditch
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired
Accelerator pedal failure with high RPM surge
While driving at 40 mph, engine RPMs surged to 5,000 without warning, causing vehicle speed to increase to 90 mph. After turning vehicle off and back on, throttle warning indicator illuminated and RPMs increased to 7,000 while parked. On restart, the accelerator pedal failed to respond. Brake pedal and push-button power-off also malfunctioned initially. Dealer diagnosed accelerator pedal failure requiring replacement.
When: At approximately 3,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPM surges to 5,000 without warning during normal driving; Speed increases to 90 mph without driver input; Throttle warning indicator illuminates after restart; RPM increases to 7,000 while vehicle is parked; Accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive after restart; Push-button power-off fails to work initially
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed accelerator pedal failure requiring replacement; vehicle was not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware of the failure
Sudden acceleration into curb causing injury
Vehicle suddenly accelerated and struck a curb. Driver sustained injury to hip and neck. This failure relates to an accelerator defect safety recall.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly accelerates into curb; Driver injury to hip and neck
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subject of accelerator defect safety recall
Vehicle rollaway when exiting vehicle
When the driver exited the vehicle, it rolled and crashed into the side of a building. Related to vehicle acceleration issues.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls when driver exits; Vehicle crashes into building
Auto-Park (or safety auto-park) function sticking after recall replacement
The auto-park function continues to stick even after the dealer performed the recall replacement parts. The dealer claims they only provide follow-up repairs for recalls within 2 years of replacement, not the 10-year timeframe the owner believes applies, and refuses to honor warranty.
When: After recall replacement performed
Symptoms owners cite: Auto-park function sticks
Repairs/costs cited: Recall replacement was performed; however, the function continues to malfunction
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall replacement was performed; dealer refuses to provide follow-up repairs beyond 2 years
ABS and ESC system failure following alternator recall
While driving at approximately 35 mph, the ABS and ESC warning lights illuminated and cruise control stopped functioning. The vehicle had recently undergone an alternator replacement recall (Chrysler P60 / NHTSA 14V-634). The dealer diagnosed a sensor failure. The service writer noted that this type of failure happens frequently on these cars and could correctly predict which part needed replacement before diagnosis. Owner had to pay for repairs despite the recent recall.
When: Following alternator replacement recall; at approximately 35 mph
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminates; ESC warning light illuminates; Cruise control stops functioning
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as sensor failure; owner had to pay for repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler stated 'sometimes they may need to do the recall again' when contacted; Recall Chrysler P60 / NHTSA 14V-634 (alternator replacement) performed prior to this failure
ABS control module and related component failure disabling cruise control and traction control
All brake lights were on when the vehicle was purchased. Diagnosis by dealer revealed a bad ABS control module and another part connected to it. Cruise control is inoperable and traction control is disabled. Warning lights occasionally turn off but are usually on. The manufacturer has discontinued the required parts, making repairs impossible.
When: Present at vehicle purchase
Symptoms owners cite: All brake lights illuminated; Cruise control inoperable; Traction control disabled; Warning lights frequently illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as bad ABS control module and related part; manufacturer has discontinued required parts, preventing repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Parts have been discontinued by manufacturer
Multiple warning lights illumination with system failures
ABS, traction control, and emergency brake warning lights illuminate on the instrument cluster. Cruise control and related systems stop functioning. Owner scanned the vehicle and found no diagnostic codes. The cause is unclear.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illumination; Traction control warning light illumination; Emergency brake warning light illumination; Cruise control stops functioning
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2014 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 2014 Dodge Charger?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 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?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 18,410 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2014/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.