What Does P0574 Mean?
The ECM has detected that the vehicle speed exceeds the maximum allowable threshold for cruise control operation. Most cruise control systems have a maximum speed limit (typically 85-110 mph / 140-180 km/h) above which cruise control will automatically disengage for safety reasons. This code indicates the system detected the vehicle traveling above this threshold while cruise was active or an attempt was made to set cruise above the maximum speed.
Common Causes
35%
Vehicle actually exceeded the cruise control maximum speed threshold due to steep downhill grade or unintended acceleration
30%
Faulty vehicle speed sensor or erratic speed signal causing the ECM to see an incorrectly high speed reading
20%
Incorrect tire size causing the speedometer and ECM to calculate a higher speed than actual vehicle speed
15%
ECM or instrument cluster calibration error after a transmission, differential, or tire size change that was not programmed
Diagnostic Steps
1
Step 1: Review freeze frame data to determine the vehicle speed at which the code was set. Compare to the manufacturer's cruise control maximum speed specification. If the actual speed was legitimately above the threshold, the code is informational.
2
Step 2: Verify the speedometer accuracy using a GPS speed app or following a vehicle with known-accurate speed. A discrepancy of more than 5% suggests a calibration issue.
3
Step 3: Check that the installed tire size matches the vehicle's door placard specification. Significantly smaller tires will cause the speedometer and ECM to read higher than actual speed.
4
Step 4: If the vehicle speed sensor is suspect, monitor the VSS signal on live data during a test drive. Compare to GPS speed. Erratic or spiking speed readings indicate a VSS or tone ring fault.
5
Step 5: If the tires or drivetrain have been modified (different gear ratio, tire size), the ECM may need to be reprogrammed with the correct parameters. Consult the manufacturer's procedure for tire size or axle ratio recalibration.
Estimated Repair Cost
$0 - $250
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The ECM has detected that the vehicle speed exceeds the maximum allowable threshold for cruise control operation. Most cruise control systems have a maximum speed limit (typically 85-110 mph / 140-180 km/h) above which cruise control will automatically disengage for safety reasons. This code indicat...
The most common cause of P0574 (Cruise Control System - Vehicle Speed Too High) is: Vehicle actually exceeded the cruise control maximum speed threshold due to steep downhill grade or unintended acceleration
Typical repair costs for P0574 range from $0 to $250, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
If the code was set due to legitimate high speed, this is a normal safety function. If set due to a faulty speed sensor, the ECM may incorrectly limit cruise control operation and the speedometer may display inaccurate speed, affecting the driver's ability to comply with speed limits.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P0574 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Cruise Control / Vehicle Speed System
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
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