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. P0576 means the input signal is below its lower limit – a signal shorted to ground or a shorted switch. FCA's ladder, for example, treats 0–0.216 V on signal 1 as circuit low. No manufacturer document available to us uses this code. For multi-function line A makers use P0580 instead.
Low severity. Can I keep driving?You can keep driving, but check that the brake lights work: that part is a safety issue.
Symptoms
- Cruise control inoperative
- Cruise control locked out
- No check engine light, engine runs normally
Most likely causes
- Signal line shorted to ground
- Switch shorted internally (moisture)
- Module pull-up or reference faulty
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: medium
What each character of P0576 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 5: Speed and idle
- 76: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0576?
You can keep driving, but check that the brake lights work: that part is a safety issue.
What causes code P0576?
The most common causes are: signal line shorted to ground; switch shorted internally (moisture); module pull-up or reference faulty.
Related codes
- P0575Cruise Control Input Circuit
- P0577Cruise Control Input Circuit High
- P0580Cruise Control Multi-Function Input A Circuit Low
- P0564Cruise Control Multi-Function Input A Circuit
Sources
Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.