Cruise control stops working for five main reasons: a blown fuse, a faulty brake pedal switch, a damaged cruise control stalk or button, a malfunctioning speed sensor, or a problem with the vehicle's computer module
The most common culprit is a blown fuse in your fuse box. Cruise control systems draw power through a dedicated circuit, and when that fuse blows, the entire system goes dead. The second most frequent cause is a broken brake pedal switch — this switch is supposed to disengage cruise control when you touch the brake, and if it fails, the car's computer may disable the whole system as a safety measure. A damaged cruise control stalk (the lever on your steering column) or a worn button on the stalk can also prevent the system from receiving your commands. Less common but still possible: a faulty vehicle speed sensor that tells your engine computer how fast you're going, or a failure in the cruise control module itself.
The good news is that most of these problems are fixable without a major repair bill. The bad news is that diagnosing which one is your problem requires some methodical checking, and a few of the fixes do require a mechanic's tools or knowledge.
Key Takeaways
- Check your fuse box first — a blown cruise control fuse is the easiest and cheapest fix, and you can do it yourself in minutes.
- If the fuse is good, test your brake pedal switch by seeing whether your brake lights work; if they don't, the switch is likely your problem.
- Try the cruise control stalk or button in different positions to see whether it responds at all; no response usually means a broken stalk or button.
- If none of those steps reveal the problem, a faulty speed sensor or cruise control module requires a mechanic's diagnostic scanner to confirm.
Check the fuse first
Your vehicle's fuse box holds the circuit breaker for cruise control. When you turn on cruise control and nothing happens — no lights, no beep, no engagement at all — a blown fuse is the most likely reason. The fuse box is usually located under the dashboard on the driver's side, inside the engine compartment, or both. Your owner's manual will show you exactly where yours is and which fuse controls cruise control.
Open the fuse box and look for the cruise control fuse. It will be labeled on the box lid or in the manual. Pull it straight out and hold it up to the light. A blown fuse has a broken wire inside the plastic housing, or the wire looks blackened or melted. If it's blown, replace it with a new fuse of the exact same amperage — the number is printed on the fuse itself. Do not use a higher-amperage fuse; it defeats the safety purpose of the circuit. If the new fuse blows again within a few days, you have a short circuit somewhere in the cruise control wiring, and you need a mechanic.
Test your brake pedal switch
The brake pedal switch serves two jobs: it turns on your brake lights when you press the pedal, and it tells your car's computer to shut off cruise control. If this switch fails, your car's safety system may disable cruise control entirely. You can test this switch yourself without tools.
Sit in the driver's seat with the engine off and press the brake pedal. Have someone stand behind the car and watch the brake lights. If the lights don't come on, the switch is broken. If the lights do come on, the switch is probably working, and cruise control failure is coming from somewhere else. A broken brake pedal switch needs to be replaced by a mechanic — it's a $50 to $150 part plus labor, depending on your vehicle.
Try the cruise control stalk or button
The cruise control stalk is the lever on your steering column, or the buttons on your steering wheel. When you move the stalk or press a button, it sends a signal to your car's computer. If the stalk or button is damaged, cracked, or worn, it may not send that signal at all.
Turn on the engine and try moving the stalk through all its positions — on, off, resume, set, and any other positions your vehicle has. Listen for a click or feel for resistance. If you hear nothing and feel nothing, the stalk may be broken inside. Try pressing the buttons if your cruise control uses buttons instead. If neither the stalk nor the buttons respond in any way, and your fuse is good and your brake lights work, the stalk or button assembly probably needs replacement. This typically costs $100 to $300 at a mechanic, depending on whether it's a straightforward button or a full steering column stalk.
Check for a faulty speed sensor
Your vehicle's speed sensor tells the engine computer how fast you're traveling. Cruise control relies on this information to maintain your set speed. If the sensor fails, the computer cannot regulate your speed and shuts down the cruise control system. A faulty speed sensor usually triggers a check engine light on your dashboard.
If your check engine light is on and cruise control won't work, a speed sensor failure is a strong possibility. You can have a mechanic read the check engine code with a diagnostic scanner — the code will tell you whether the speed sensor is the problem. A speed sensor replacement typically costs $150 to $400, depending on your vehicle and which sensor has failed. Some vehicles have multiple speed sensors, so the mechanic needs to know which one is bad before ordering the part.
Look for a cruise control module failure
The cruise control module is a small computer that manages the entire cruise control system. It receives signals from your stalk or buttons, reads your speed from the speed sensor, and sends commands to your engine to maintain that speed. If this module fails, cruise control stops working entirely, and no amount of button-pressing will fix it.
A failed cruise control module is rare, but it does happen, especially in older vehicles or after electrical damage from an accident or lightning strike. Diagnosing a module failure requires a mechanic with a diagnostic scanner — they can rule out every other cause and confirm that the module itself is the problem. Module replacement costs $300 to $800 depending on your vehicle, and it usually requires programming after installation.
When to take it to a mechanic
If you've checked the fuse, tested the brake lights, and tried the stalk or buttons with no results, you've done all the diagnosis you can do at home. A mechanic with a diagnostic scanner can pinpoint the exact cause in 30 minutes to an hour. Bring your vehicle to a shop that has experience with your make and model — they'll know where to look first and can often spot the problem faster than a general repair shop.
Before you go, write down exactly what happens when you try to use cruise control: Does nothing happen at all? Do you hear a beep? Do you see lights on the dashboard? Does the system engage but not hold speed? The more detail you give the mechanic, the faster they can narrow down the cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive without cruise control while I'm waiting to get it fixed?
Yes. Cruise control is a convenience feature, not a safety system. Your car will drive normally in all other ways. You'll just have to control your speed manually with the accelerator pedal, the way you would if cruise control had never been invented.
Why did my cruise control stop working all of a sudden?
A fuse blew, a brake switch failed, or the stalk got damaged — usually from impact or wear. These things don't degrade slowly; they tend to fail suddenly. If it worked yesterday and doesn't work today, one of those three things probably happened.
Is cruise control expensive to fix?
It depends on the cause. A blown fuse costs nothing if you do it yourself, or $20 to $50 if a mechanic does it. A brake switch or stalk replacement runs $100 to $300. A speed sensor or module failure can cost $300 to $800. Get a diagnostic first so you know what you're paying for.
Can a dead battery cause cruise control to stop working?
A completely dead battery will prevent your car from starting, so cruise control won't be your main concern. A weak battery might cause strange electrical behavior, but if your car starts and runs normally, the battery is not the problem.
Does cruise control need to be reprogrammed after I fix it?
Usually not. A fuse replacement, brake switch replacement, or stalk replacement should restore cruise control without any programming. A new cruise control module may need programming, and your mechanic will handle that as part of the installation.