Open or shorted wire in the cruise control input circuit, often at the steering column connector or clock spring; Faulty cruise control switch assembly on the steering wheel, causing a constant low signal; Corroded or loose electrical connector at the cruise control module or steering column; Failed clock spring (spiral cable) that carries the switch signals through the rotating steering wheel; Defective cruise control module or powertrain control module input driver; Poor ground connection for the cruise control switch circuit, causing a voltage drop

DTC codes / P05xx · Vehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs / P0576

P0576Cruise Control Input Circuit Low

Q: What does code P0576 mean?

Cruise Control Input Circuit Low. P0576 indicates that the cruise control module or powertrain control module has detected a low voltage condition on the cruise control input circuit, which is typically the signal wire from the steering wheel switches or a dedicated cruise control input. The computer expects a specific voltage range or a pulsed signal and sees it persistently below the normal threshold, so it flags the circuit as faulty and disables cruise control operation.

P0576 indicates that the cruise control module or powertrain control module has detected a low voltage condition on the cruise control input circuit, which is typically the signal wire from the steering wheel switches or a dedicated cruise control input. The computer expects a specific voltage range or a pulsed signal and sees it persistently below the normal threshold, so it flags the circuit as faulty and disables cruise control operation.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityLow

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaVehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs

Symptoms you may notice

Cruise control will not engage or will drop out unexpectedly while driving
The cruise control indicator light may flash or stay off entirely
No other drivability symptoms; the vehicle otherwise runs and drives normally
Steering wheel cruise control buttons may feel unresponsive or require extra pressure
Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially if the fault is intermittent

Common causes, most likely first

Open or shorted wire in the cruise control input circuit, often at the steering column connector or clock spring
Faulty cruise control switch assembly on the steering wheel, causing a constant low signal
Corroded or loose electrical connector at the cruise control module or steering column
Failed clock spring (spiral cable) that carries the switch signals through the rotating steering wheel
Defective cruise control module or powertrain control module input driver
Poor ground connection for the cruise control switch circuit, causing a voltage drop

How to diagnose and fix it

Inspect the cruise control switch wiring and connectors at the steering wheel and column for damage or corrosion
Check the clock spring for continuity and signs of wear, especially if the horn or other steering wheel controls also act up
Measure voltage on the cruise control input circuit at the module connector with the key on and switches pressed, comparing to the service manual specification
Test the cruise control switch assembly with an ohmmeter to confirm it produces the correct resistance or voltage steps when each button is pressed
Verify the ground circuit for the cruise control switches has less than 0.1 volt drop under load
If wiring and switches test good, substitute a known-good cruise control module or PCM to rule out an internal driver fault
Clear the code and perform a road test to confirm the repair and ensure the cruise control engages smoothly

Before you replace the cruise control module

A failing clock spring is one of the most overlooked causes of P0576 because it can interrupt the switch signal only at certain steering wheel angles, making the code intermittent and hard to reproduce.
The code does not always mean the cruise control switch itself is bad; a chafed wire behind the steering wheel or a loose pin in the column connector can set the same low-voltage fault.
On many vehicles, the cruise control input shares a reference voltage with other steering wheel buttons, so a short in an unrelated button circuit can drag the cruise input low and set P0576.
Technicians sometimes replace the cruise control module only to find the real problem is a corroded ground point under the dash, so always verify ground integrity before condemning any module.
If the vehicle has an aftermarket steering wheel or radio installation, pinched or improperly spliced wires in the column are a common cause of this code that gets missed during diagnosis.

Can I keep driving with P0576?

The vehicle remains safe to drive because cruise control is a convenience feature and the fault does not affect throttle control or braking, but you should avoid using cruise control until the repair is made to prevent unexpected disengagement. Prolonged driving with the code stored is not harmful, but have it diagnosed at your convenience.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.