2015 Chrysler 200 cruise control problems
severe 42 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Of the 7 model years of Chrysler 200 we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 42.
Owners have filed 42 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2015 Chrysler 200 with cruise control complaints has documented safety issues: unintended acceleration, stalling without warning, transmission hesitation, and cruise control failures on hills—some severe enough to cause crashes and injury. Dealers often claim nothing is wrong even after repeated visits, and some owners' VINs fall outside recall coverage despite identical symptoms.
Owners report a cluster of distinct drivability and safety problems. The most alarming is unintended acceleration—vehicles accelerate without driver input, even with cruise control off. One owner at 67 mph hit 74 mph within seconds; another at 25 mph crashed into a stopped vehicle at high speed, sustaining fractures and third-degree burns. Several describe acceleration when releasing the throttle to brake, or sudden surges when turning.
Cruise control malfunction is common. On hills, the system fails to downshift; speeds climb from 65 to 75+ mph despite the button being pressed to hold. On some vehicles, holding the speed-change button causes erratic jumps of 10–15 mph instead of incremental 1 mph steps. One owner couldn't disengage cruise from the steering column.
Stalling under load occurs repeatedly—engine cuts out at intersections, highways, and stop signs. Many report an "Engine Warming Wait to Start" message before stalls, followed by "Shift to P" prompts. Check engine and electronic throttle control lights illuminate; owners cite recalls R24 and S55 and transmission service messages.
Transmission hesitation and jerking is consistent: 5–10 second delays before acceleration, violent jerks during shifts, inability to exceed 32–40 mph in some cases, and transmission refusing to "go" immediately from a stop. One owner reports the dealership said the car "needs to be updated like an iPhone."
Forward collision warning systems fail to engage at low speeds. Engine shaking occurs; one reports 35 quarts of oil burned in 6,000 miles. Several say dealerships found nothing wrong despite repeated visits.
Same Chrysler 200 cruise control reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration
Vehicle accelerates without driver input, often suddenly and to dangerous speeds. Occurs at various driving speeds and conditions, with and without cruise control engaged. Brake pedal depression sometimes has no effect initially.
When: Various speeds and conditions; as early as 2,500 miles; recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid speed increase without pedal input; Acceleration when releasing throttle to depress brake; No brake response on initial depression; Jerking or violent acceleration
Codes mentioned: P2172 (Throttle Actuator Control System), Check Engine Light, Electronic Throttle Control Light
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report repeated dealer visits with no fix found; independent mechanic diagnosed throttle body failure on at least one vehicle; one owner's vehicle deemed total loss after collision
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls R24 and S55 mentioned; some vehicles replaced parts but stalling recurred; Chrysler offered assistance but some owners' VINs not included in recall despite same symptoms
Cruise control system malfunction
Cruise control fails to function predictably. On descents, vehicle refuses to downshift and speed climbs uncontrollably. Speed adjustment buttons cause erratic jumps instead of smooth increments. Cannot be disengaged from steering column in some cases.
When: While driving, particularly on hills and highway grades
Symptoms owners cite: Inability to downshift on descents; Speed increase from set point (e.g., 65 to 75+ mph); Drastic speed jumps when holding adjustment button (e.g., 55 to 85 mph in seconds); Cruise control button unresponsive or stuck; Cannot disengage from steering column
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports dealership service manager explained faulty button behavior—holding >2 seconds causes unpredictable speed change; no repair documented
Engine stalling while driving
Engine cuts out suddenly while the vehicle is in motion, at intersections, highways, or approaching stops. Vehicle becomes immobilized; restart may require multiple attempts or key cycles.
When: Various speeds and driving conditions; reported from 1,000 miles onward; recurring over months
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power; Dashboard message 'Engine Warming Wait to Start'; Dashboard message 'Shift to P'; Difficulty restarting; Multiple stalls on same trip
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light, MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light)
Repairs/costs cited: Recalls R24 and S55 cited as potential causes; dealership reported fixing the problem but stalls recurred within hours or days; multiple visits yielded 'nothing wrong' diagnosis; one owner picked up vehicle 100 feet from dealership and it stalled immediately
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall R24 and S55 (NHTSA 16V529); owners waited for parts from Chrysler; some VINs not included in recall despite identical symptoms
Transmission hesitation and jerking
Transmission exhibits long delays before engaging, violent jerks during shifts, and inability to maintain or reach target speeds. On some vehicles, gear shifts erratically at high RPMs without driver input.
When: During acceleration from stop, while driving, and uphill; as early as 1,000 miles; recurring
Symptoms owners cite: 5–10 second delay before vehicle accelerates; Violent jerks or lurches when shifting; Vehicle stuck at low speeds (32–40 mph maximum); High RPMs with minimal forward movement; Delayed or no engagement from Park or Drive; Transmission will not shift down from 7th gear; Rapid downshifts (8th to 4th in 10 seconds)
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light, Transmission service message, P0128, P2181, MIL Light with transmission warning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership reprogrammed computer/software update; one owner reports car brought in ~10 times with same issue recurring; parts replaced repeatedly with no lasting fix; one owner told vehicle 'needs to be updated like an iPhone'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall S55 (NHTSA 16V529) cited; dealership stated known problem; Chrysler team consulting with dealership but cases closed repeatedly despite unresolved issues
Loss of power and throttle control
Vehicle loses acceleration ability or becomes unresponsive to throttle input. RPMs may surge independently while vehicle refuses to move or move at limited speed. Electronic throttle control warnings illuminate.
When: While driving at various speeds; uphill driving particularly affected
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not accelerate past 32–45 mph; Throttle pedal unresponsive when depressed; RPMs surge without corresponding speed increase; High engine noise while moving slowly; Vehicle reluctant to pick up speed on inclines
Codes mentioned: Electronic Throttle Control Light (SERVICE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL message), Check Engine Light, P2172
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed throttle body failure; one owner reports throttle service light accompanied by very loud whining noise; service station found nothing wrong on inspection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified on some cases; VIN not included in recall for some owners; no assistance offered outside recall coverage
Forward collision warning system failure
Forward collision warning (FCW) and automatic braking systems fail to engage or function when needed. Vehicle does not warn or brake when approaching stopped vehicles at low speeds.
When: At low speeds (15 mph reported); vehicle approaching rapid stop
Symptoms owners cite: No warning signal when vehicle ahead stops abruptly; Automatic brakes do not engage; System does not mitigate collision
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle sustained $6,500 front-end damage in low-speed collision that system should have prevented or reduced; Chrysler service unable to fix the system on another reported case
Engine shaking and vibration
Engine shakes as if loose from motor mounts, causing entire vehicle to vibrate. Can occur during acceleration or at idle. Not always accompanied by warning lights.
When: At various speeds; at idle; recurring
Symptoms owners cite: Violent engine shaking; Entire vehicle vibrates; Shaking continues despite slowing down; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives
Engine oil consumption and burning
Vehicle burns or consumes oil at an abnormally high rate. One owner reports dramatic consumption; burning odor present during driving.
When: At 6,000 miles on one vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell while driving or at idle; Excessive oil consumption
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported 35 quarts burned in 6,000 miles
Synthesized from 42 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 2015 Chrysler 200?
It's a meaningful issue. 42 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 31 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 15,000 and 59,290 miles, with the median around 38,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 59,290. 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.