Traction Control complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3 | 1% | 3,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 6% | 20,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% | 24,000 miles |
| 2012 | 5 | 9% | 44,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 6% | 11,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 4% | 2,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% | 6,000 miles |
| 2008 | 17 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2007 | 34 | 10% | 39,000 miles |
| 2006 | 43 | 12% | 30,000 miles |
| 2005 | 103 | 19% | 40,000 miles |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% | 56,000 miles |
| 2003 | 12 | 14% | 34,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% | 96,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% | 45,000 miles |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% | 70,000 miles |
| 1999 | 10 | 3% | 75,000 miles |
| 1998 | 6 | 2% | 99,000 miles |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% | 89,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2 occurrences I have been driving the vehicle, without notice I loose all power steering function, power brakes function and all ABS/traction control. Several warning lights are displayed on dashboard. Both times the vehicle has been towed to the nearest Chevrolet dealer for repairs. Both these occurrences have happened while driving on major streets, the first time I was going around a curve on the street appx 40-45 MPH, lost all functions and nearly lost control of the vehicle.
I was going down the highway and noticed that the Corvette was getting really hot, than about 5 min later OnStar reported a engine, trans, and rear end problem along with a loud clanking noise from the motor. Now it only does about 65 thank it goes to 5K rpms and goes nowhere.
Had c7 z51 stick 2014 and had problem with traction and stability control. After purchased the car I recognized that when acceleration bit faster there was back axle, parking brake and some other warnings. It happened always when accelerated bit faster. Winter stab worked OK. But now in summer I lost control on highway driving 50 MPH accelerating on wet road and lost control and hit guard rail. There was no stability or traction control what so ever. I was in eco mode which has normal stab/trac control. I brought to dealer when warning lights come up, but dealer said it is normal no worry everything is OK. But it was not working at all!!
The vehicle unexpectedly accelerated from doing 25 MPH at 1200 RPM, to over 6500 RPM at an unknown speed cause me to have an accident. I did not accelerate the vehicle on my own, and pressing the brake did nothing to stop the vehicle. Because of this, my vehicle is possibly totalled and luckily myself, or no one else was seriously hurt or lost our life. I have tries contacting several dealerships to see if there is a possible recall about this issue or have their been other cases of this to no avail. I do also plan on contacting Chevrolet about this issue also.
Upon braking to enter a tight left hand turn in the country the dic displayed several warning indicators, ABS and traction control. The right front brake locked up (confirmed by the flat spot on the tire). I began modulating the brakes thinking that I had lost anti-lock brakes, but the right front brake had locked up. This reduced the braking ability of the car causing me to go off the outside of a left hand turn and into a ditch damaging some components of the front end. I was able to return home safely. The car was parked until a mechanic looked at it. A dialectic grease was applied to the connectors between the system and the wheels at all 4 corners. This seemed to resolve the issue as experienced on that day. Now, 5 months later all the dash lights involved in the active handling system have come on again. …
Service active handling system on display. While driving the day before, the car made a very quick motion to the left while driving at 65mph. Investigation found the steering wheel sensor pushed out of it's housing and dangling on the steering column shaft under the dash. The powered telescoping steering wheel pushed the assembly out of place causing the fault. I disconnected the steering wheel sensor to prevent any further activation of the active handling.
Car applied right front brake on the street in front of my house, causing a severe swerve into shoulder of road. There is a known active handling fault on these cars. It has been in for repair twice. The car only has 3200 miles on it. There is a service active handling light on the dash now. Dealer has attempted to repair.
As I left the grocery store I started to head home when the 11 Corvette gs sent a message to the dic on the instrument cluster, it said to service active handling, the problem is it locks up the front brakes, while this May not sound too serious at low speeds, imagine pulling out into traffic and the brakes lock up on your car. It occurs pulling onto grass or loose gravel also, especially in turns. I have to turn the car off and restart it for it to move again. My wife started reading the hundreds of complaints on service the active handling on the Corvette forums and what it has done to the vehicles from people that had issues with there vehicles when the service active handling message appeared on there (dic) digital information center that she no longer rides in the car with me. This vehicle has seen more dealer service than any other vehicle that I have owned.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Corvette years have traction control problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (103), 2006 (43), 2007 (34), 2008 (17) and 2000 (12) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Corvette traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for any Chevrolet Corvette model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Corvette traction control problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles; 62% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic (asc) (6 mentions).
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.