Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet Corvette owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
In 2010, there was a recall on my vehicle for "steering wheel position sensor." the issue was the "service active handling" warning notice was intermittently appearing in the driver information center. The remedy was to install a plastic clip. This remedy did not fix the issue and I was told I needed a new "steering wheel position sensor" and that it was not covered by the recall and it would be at my expense. I did not have the repair done at that time because I rarely drive the car, and the problem was intermittent. The dealership advised me to have a front end alignment and that seemed to fix the problem for awhile. The "service active handling" warning has returned, and I'm scheduled to have the sensor replaced for about $800. This seems to be a widely known problem in the 2005-2006 corvettes, and the plastic clip did not fix the issue. …
I got a service active handling light that came on the dash two days ago, and went after restarting the car a few times. While I was drive yesterday and doing about 70 MPH, the car pulled violently to the left and I had to make a rapid correction to avoid hitting the truck next to me. As that happened I instinctively glanced at my instrument cluster and the service active handling, seems to have lit up the instance the car made to sudden left swing. I've read on the Corvette forums, that this seems to be a problem that has been plaguing the c6 z06. This also happened a couple of years while I was approaching a stop light and was going about 25 to 30 MPH. I don't use the car that often, only while I'm on vacation, which is about 3 to 4 times per year. The light will come on from time to time but the sudden left swing only happened twice.
On Wednesday 7 nov 2012, I was driving home from work at approx 4:30 pm and while changing lanes (from the rh lane to the lh lane, to make a left turn in approx half a mile) when the front driver's side tires popped and I spun, crossed the median, cross two southbound lanes, struck an electricity pole, spun again and finally came to rest on the sidewalk & grass. Neither stability control nor traction control activated once the car began to spin (counter clockwise) which created an uncontrollable and unrecoverable spin. The failure of these systems activate and operate properly could have killed me and destroyed the car. Both systems were fully operational and on. Also, the side airbag did not deploy when the impacted the pole on the driver's side door.
Driving back from lunch to the office I was changing lanes on a heavily traffic area. Was going about 30mph when the car started to fish tail out of control going sideways into the side of the road and slamming into a electrical post. Both myself and my passenger were in awe. I could not control the car and it seems eventhough I took my foot off the gas it kept increasing. The hit was so hard it damaged the post and the car severely. I still do not know what happened since it has traction control it should have never fishtailed and at that low speed. No tire marks or any sign of acceleration were found. I am trying to find answers to what happened. Its scary.
My son owns a 2006 Corvette c6. He was driving for 2 years when his car went out of control and suffered a traumatic brain injury, in a coma for 6 months. His car had a "service traction stability control" indication on the dic twice within a 30 day period. He was quick to service this warning immediately with the Chevrolet dealership as the car was under warranty. Now I understand there is a real problem with the traction stability control for 2006 Corvette and GM has now issued a recall. To late my son has brain damage.
My electronic stability control comes on regularly especially when I hit sand in driveway and tire spins which I expect but at other times the warning light comes on without any tire spin or condition that would warrant this. Turning from a stand still is another time the lights will come on without any tire spin. My wife drives this car now and I got a newer one. I am worried about her safety as she is an older lady [redacted] and if brakes locked up or steering she would not know how to handle the situation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. While reversing the vehicle at approximately 5 MPH, the service ride control warning indicator illuminated. The contact also observed that the steering wheel pulled in the opposite direction occasionally. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V172000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Began to notice a sensed vehicle self steering sensation on 7/12/17. The vehicle feels like the rear wheels are sliding around with no traction or as if the rear wheels are steering themselves. It is occurring at all speeds, even while driving up an inclined driveway.
First the roof blew off.the communication message center gives mis information.the car has always made a grinding sound under hood at start up.problemsm activating eelectrical stability system.also after roof repair roof rattles and always sound loose.
I have owned a 2006 Corvette for about 4 years now. The "service active handling system" light comes on in the dic. It used to come on once in a while. It now occurs every time I drive the car. About 10% of the time one of the brakes will instantaneously come on hard then releases in addition to the "service active handling system" light coming on. I live in wisconsin so I don't drive it all year, but in the summer I drive it every day (its my primary summer vehicle). I have been working on corporate type aircraft for 37+ years so I am accustomed to inspecting complex systems. I checked under the steering column and found an orange "wedge" installed into the steering wheel position sensor and noticed the electrical lead going to the sensor appears to be too short with the tilt / telescopic column adjusted full aft and up. …
NHTSA investigations
Electronic stability control malfunction
On September 17, 2008, odi opened preliminary evaluation pe08-056 to investigate allegations of inappropriate activation of the electronic stability control (ESC) system in model year (my) 2005 and 2006 Chevrolet corvette vehicles.some reports received by odi and some reports to general motors (GM) contained in GM's response to pe08-056 allege that the ESC system malfunctioned causing a sudden and inappropriate…
Electronic Stability Control
On April 26, 2010, at NHTSA's request following this investigation, General Motors submitted a Defect Information Report to NHTSA to correct a defect associated with the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system in approximately 40,000 Model Year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles (NHTSA Recall No.
Traction Control complaints in other Corvette years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette, 12% of the model year's 365 complaints. The component named most often is automatic (asc) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Corvette traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Corvette traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to stability & traction control problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.