Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL | ||||||
| EA09002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 01/14/2009 | 05/11/2010 | Electronic Stability Control | 10V172000 | |
| 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. 10v-172).according to the report, these vehicles may have a problem with the steering wheel position sensor (swps) connector created by a fretting condition in the connector (small movement of the pins back and forth creating a residue build up) which could change the electrical resistance and corrupt the information signal to the vsc computer.the vsc system uses the information from the swps to calculate the driver's intended vehicle direction; this information is cross referenced to sensors that tell the system which direction the vehicle is actually going and the system will, if it determines a variance indicating the vehicle is in a over-steer or under-steer condition, reduce throttle control and apply braking to make a correction in vehicle direction towards what the system believes is the driver's intended path.gm dealers will inspect the swps connector of recalled vehicles and, if necessary, install a terminal position assurance clip to the connector.gm has advised nhtsa that its position is that the inappropriate activations of the vsc system do not present an unreasonable risk to safety because gm believes that the activations are low in occurrence, a rare set of conditions would need to be present, the driver has the ability to maintain direction control if the alleged condition were to occur, and that there are no reports of injuries.nhtsa does not agree.based on interviews with complainants and testing performed at the nhtsa vehicle research and testing center in east liberty, ohio, odi believes that the majority of the unwarranted activations of the vsc system occur when turning, in such scenarios as travelling highway entrance or exit ramps or in street traffic conditions.complainants report the effect produced by the malfunction of the vsc system is sudden unexpected braking and in some cases a sudden unexpected change in vehicle direction which some complainants indicate was sufficient to cause a movement into an adjoining lane of traffic or in some cases into curbing or stationary objects.during the vsc event the brake lights of the corvette are not illuminated, depriving trailing traffic from indication that braking is occurring and some complainants indicate the braking effect can be severe and last up to 10 seconds in length.based on available information odi counts four crashes due to a malfunction of the vsc system; gm is counting one crash due to the problem.in these circumstances nhtsa believes the defect presents an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety, and so advised gm when requesting this recall.this investigation is closed based on gm's recall. | ||||||
| PE08056 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 09/17/2008 | 01/14/2009 | 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 braking action without illumination of the brake lights and causing the vehicle to swerve left or right unexpectedly. gm issued a technical service bulletin in january 2006, later revised in october 2007 (bulletin no. 06-02-35-002b) concerning esc problems in my 2005 and 2006 chevrolet corvette vehicles with the telescoping steering wheel option.the bulletin was intended to correct a fretting corrosion problem with the steering wheel position sensor connector c202. an engineering analysis has been opened (ea09-002) to continue to asses the scope, frequency, and safety-related consequences of the alleged defect. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL | |||
| 01/12/2009 | 6000 | 1 | |
| I have a 2006 corvette z06 with 10,000 miles and have experienced a number of stability control problems with the car. in 2009 i picked up the car from my local dealer with only 6,000 miles after completing the last service under warranty. i entered a two lane highway and proceeded into the left lane. i accelerated to pass a large truck and the car began to thrash back and forth out of control like i was on ice. i lifted immediately and attempted to regain control but the car would not respond and sent the front end of the car crashing into the concrete median. no one was hurt but the damage was extensive. i was convinced it was the run flat tires so i had all four replaced with nitto high performance radials. the stickier compound made a difference in traction however i quickly realized that the tires were not the problem. my son and i were cruising around town and i pulled over to switch drivers. my son exited the parking lot and hit the accelerator and the car began to thrash back and forth out of control. he too was unable to control the car with corrective steering and braking. fortunately, there were no other cars around or a concrete median to smash into. we were very lucky that no one was hurt. we now drive with the traction control system off as we are convinced that the stability control system is severely flawed and the car is unsafe and dangerous at any speed. now the display flashes an alert that the active handling system needs servicing. i have read a number of similar cases where the driver has lost control of their car and sustained considerable personal injury and damage to their car. gm denies responsibility and has failed to issue a recall. this car is simply unsafe even for the professional driver. the nhtsa should demand that gm recall this car immediately and take corrective action before others are injured, maimed or killed. *js | |||
| 01/12/2009 | 6000 | ||
| I have a 2006 corvette z06 with 10,000 miles and have experienced a number of stability control problems with the car. in 2009 i picked up the car from my local dealer with only 6,000 miles after completing the last service under warranty. i entered a two lane highway and proceeded into the left lane. i accelerated to pass a large truck and the car began to thrash back and forth out of control like i was on ice. i lifted immediately and attempted to regain control but the car would not respond and sent the front end of the car crashing into the concrete median. no one was hurt but the damage was extensive. i was convinced it was the run flat tires so i had all four replaced with nitto high performance radials. the stickier compound made a difference in traction however i quickly realized that the tires were not the problem. my son and i were cruising around town and i pulled over to switch drivers. my son exited the parking lot and hit the accelerator and the car began to thrash back and forth out of control. he too was unable to control the car with corrective steering and braking. fortunately, there were no other cars around or a concrete median to smash into. we were very lucky that no one was hurt. we now drive with the traction control system off as we are convinced that the stability control system is severely flawed and the car is unsafe and dangerous at any speed. now the display flashes an alert that the active handling system needs servicing. i have read a number of similar cases where the driver has lost control of their car and sustained considerable personal injury and damage to their car. gm denies responsibility and has failed to issue a recall. this car is simply unsafe even for the professional driver. the nhtsa should demand that gm recall this car immediately and take corrective action before others are injured, maimed or killed. | |||
| 02/20/2011 | 38890 | ||
| My 2006 z06 has had this same recurring service active handling system fault almost like clockwork every 9 to 15 months since i bought it new in sept 2005 (one of the first z06s built). my z06 is at a chevy dealership again, this time getting the steering wheel sensor replaced again. no its not the dealer... i've had several service active handling system repairs done by at least two different chevy dealers and it still comes back like a bad case of herpes. my z06 is a 2lz which has the telescoping steering wheel to make it easier for my lanky 190 lb 6'3 body to get in and out easier when i have to park in my tight garage or next to a parked car. this cycles the steering wheel forward every time i exit the car and back towards me again before i start the engine... which from my reading seems to be causing this ongoing problem. what's wrong is this dangerous safety problem doesn't seem to ever get fixed for more than a year. what can i do to get gm to fix it or warranty this safety related item permanently so i don't get stuck having to deal with this dangerous safety condition forever? yes gm completed a technical service bulletin on my z06 to install a cheap plastic retainer that was supposed to fix this problem... to no avail. nhtsa has incorrectly closed your nhtsa action number: ea09002 of this issue based on gm's recall... but gm did not include my 2006 corvette z06 in their recall even though it uses the exact same telescopin steering wheel and active handling system as the base corvette which is included in gm's recall. nhtsa needs to force gm to include the z06 in their recall... or all of us z06 owners who bought gm's most expensive car in 2006 are screwed because of nhtsa's omission of the z06 from this safety recall! | |||
| 03/25/2008 | 38828 | ||
| My 2006 z06 has had this same recurring service active handling system fault almost like clockwork every 9 to 15 months since i bought it new in sept 2005 (one of the first z06s built). my z06 is at a chevy dealership again, this time getting the steering wheel sensor replaced again. no its not the dealer... i've had several service active handling system repairs done by at least two different chevy dealers and it still comes back like a bad case of herpes. my z06 is a 2lz which has the telescoping steering wheel to make it easier for my lanky 190 lb 6'3 body to get in and out easier when i have to park in my tight garage or next to a parked car. this cycles the steering wheel forward every time i exit the car and back towards me again before i start the engine... which from my reading seems to be causing this ongoing problem. what's wrong is this dangerous safety problem doesn't seem to ever get fixed for more than a year. what can i do to get gm to fix it or warranty this safety related item permanently so i don't get stuck having to deal with this dangerous safety condition forever? yes gm completed a technical service bulletin on my z06 to install a cheap plastic retainer that was supposed to fix this problem... to no avail. nhtsa has incorrectly closed your nhtsa action number: ea09002 of this issue based on gm's recall... but gm did not include my 2006 corvette z06 in their recall even though it uses the exact same telescopin steering wheel and active handling system as the base corvette which is included in gm's recall. nhtsa needs to force gm to include the z06 in their recall... or all of us z06 owners who bought gm's most expensive car in 2006 are screwed because of nhtsa's omission of the z06 from this safety recall! | |||
| 02/20/2011 | 38890 | ||
| My 2006 z06 has had this same recurring service active handling system fault almost like clockwork every 9 to 15 months since i bought it new in sept 2005 (one of the first z06s built). my z06 is at a chevy dealership again, this time getting the steering wheel sensor replaced again. no its not the dealer... i've had several service active handling system repairs done by at least two different chevy dealers and it still comes back like a bad case of herpes. my z06 is a 2lz which has the telescoping steering wheel to make it easier for my lanky 190 lb 6'3 body to get in and out easier when i have to park in my tight garage or next to a parked car. this cycles the steering wheel forward every time i exit the car and back towards me again before i start the engine... which from my reading seems to be causing this ongoing problem. what's wrong is this dangerous safety problem doesn't seem to ever get fixed for more than a year. what can i do to get gm to fix it or warranty this safety related item permanently so i don't get stuck having to deal with this dangerous safety condition forever? yes gm completed a technical service bulletin on my z06 to install a cheap plastic retainer that was supposed to fix this problem... to no avail. nhtsa has incorrectly closed your nhtsa action number: ea09002 of this issue based on gm's recall... but gm did not include my 2006 corvette z06 in their recall even though it uses the exact same telescopin steering wheel and active handling system as the base corvette which is included in gm's recall. nhtsa needs to force gm to include the z06 in their recall... or all of us z06 owners who bought gm's most expensive car in 2006 are screwed because of nhtsa's omission of the z06 from this safety recall! | |||
| 03/25/2008 | 38828 | ||
| My 2006 z06 has had this same recurring service active handling system fault almost like clockwork every 9 to 15 months since i bought it new in sept 2005 (one of the first z06s built). my z06 is at a chevy dealership again, this time getting the steering wheel sensor replaced again. no its not the dealer... i've had several service active handling system repairs done by at least two different chevy dealers and it still comes back like a bad case of herpes. my z06 is a 2lz which has the telescoping steering wheel to make it easier for my lanky 190 lb 6'3 body to get in and out easier when i have to park in my tight garage or next to a parked car. this cycles the steering wheel forward every time i exit the car and back towards me again before i start the engine... which from my reading seems to be causing this ongoing problem. what's wrong is this dangerous safety problem doesn't seem to ever get fixed for more than a year. what can i do to get gm to fix it or warranty this safety related item permanently so i don't get stuck having to deal with this dangerous safety condition forever? yes gm completed a technical service bulletin on my z06 to install a cheap plastic retainer that was supposed to fix this problem... to no avail. nhtsa has incorrectly closed your nhtsa action number: ea09002 of this issue based on gm's recall... but gm did not include my 2006 corvette z06 in their recall even though it uses the exact same telescopin steering wheel and active handling system as the base corvette which is included in gm's recall. nhtsa needs to force gm to include the z06 in their recall... or all of us z06 owners who bought gm's most expensive car in 2006 are screwed because of nhtsa's omission of the z06 from this safety recall! | |||
| 02/20/2011 | 38890 | ||
| My 2006 z06 has had this same recurring service active handling system fault almost like clockwork every 9 to 15 months since i bought it new in sept 2005 (one of the first z06s built). my z06 is at a chevy dealership again, this time getting the steering wheel sensor replaced again. no its not the dealer... i've had several service active handling system repairs done by at least two different chevy dealers and it still comes back like a bad case of herpes. my z06 is a 2lz which has the telescoping steering wheel to make it easier for my lanky 190 lb 6'3 body to get in and out easier when i have to park in my tight garage or next to a parked car. this cycles the steering wheel forward every time i exit the car and back towards me again before i start the engine... which from my reading seems to be causing this ongoing problem. what's wrong is this dangerous safety problem doesn't seem to ever get fixed for more than a year. what can i do to get gm to fix it or warranty this safety related item permanently so i don't get stuck having to deal with this dangerous safety condition forever? yes gm completed a technical service bulletin on my z06 to install a cheap plastic retainer that was supposed to fix this problem... to no avail. nhtsa has incorrectly closed your nhtsa action number: ea09002 of this issue based on gm's recall... but gm did not include my 2006 corvette z06 in their recall even though it uses the exact same telescopin steering wheel and active handling system as the base corvette which is included in gm's recall. nhtsa needs to force gm to include the z06 in their recall... or all of us z06 owners who bought gm's most expensive car in 2006 are screwed because of nhtsa's omission of the z06 from this safety recall! | |||
| 03/25/2008 | 38828 | ||
| My 2006 z06 has had this same recurring service active handling system fault almost like clockwork every 9 to 15 months since i bought it new in sept 2005 (one of the first z06s built). my z06 is at a chevy dealership again, this time getting the steering wheel sensor replaced again. no its not the dealer... i've had several service active handling system repairs done by at least two different chevy dealers and it still comes back like a bad case of herpes. my z06 is a 2lz which has the telescoping steering wheel to make it easier for my lanky 190 lb 6'3 body to get in and out easier when i have to park in my tight garage or next to a parked car. this cycles the steering wheel forward every time i exit the car and back towards me again before i start the engine... which from my reading seems to be causing this ongoing problem. what's wrong is this dangerous safety problem doesn't seem to ever get fixed for more than a year. what can i do to get gm to fix it or warranty this safety related item permanently so i don't get stuck having to deal with this dangerous safety condition forever? yes gm completed a technical service bulletin on my z06 to install a cheap plastic retainer that was supposed to fix this problem... to no avail. nhtsa has incorrectly closed your nhtsa action number: ea09002 of this issue based on gm's recall... but gm did not include my 2006 corvette z06 in their recall even though it uses the exact same telescopin steering wheel and active handling system as the base corvette which is included in gm's recall. nhtsa needs to force gm to include the z06 in their recall... or all of us z06 owners who bought gm's most expensive car in 2006 are screwed because of nhtsa's omission of the z06 from this safety recall! | |||
| 02/20/2011 | 38890 | ||
| My 2006 z06 has had this same recurring service active handling system fault almost like clockwork every 9 to 15 months since i bought it new in sept 2005 (one of the first z06s built). my z06 is at a chevy dealership again, this time getting the steering wheel sensor replaced again. no its not the dealer... i've had several service active handling system repairs done by at least two different chevy dealers and it still comes back like a bad case of herpes. my z06 is a 2lz which has the telescoping steering wheel to make it easier for my lanky 190 lb 6'3 body to get in and out easier when i have to park in my tight garage or next to a parked car. this cycles the steering wheel forward every time i exit the car and back towards me again before i start the engine... which from my reading seems to be causing this ongoing problem. what's wrong is this dangerous safety problem doesn't seem to ever get fixed for more than a year. what can i do to get gm to fix it or warranty this safety related item permanently so i don't get stuck having to deal with this dangerous safety condition forever? yes gm completed a technical service bulletin on my z06 to install a cheap plastic retainer that was supposed to fix this problem... to no avail. nhtsa has incorrectly closed your nhtsa action number: ea09002 of this issue based on gm's recall... but gm did not include my 2006 corvette z06 in their recall even though it uses the exact same telescopin steering wheel and active handling system as the base corvette which is included in gm's recall. nhtsa needs to force gm to include the z06 in their recall... or all of us z06 owners who bought gm's most expensive car in 2006 are screwed because of nhtsa's omission of the z06 from this safety recall! | |||
| 03/25/2008 | 38828 | ||
| My 2006 z06 has had this same recurring service active handling system fault almost like clockwork every 9 to 15 months since i bought it new in sept 2005 (one of the first z06s built). my z06 is at a chevy dealership again, this time getting the steering wheel sensor replaced again. no its not the dealer... i've had several service active handling system repairs done by at least two different chevy dealers and it still comes back like a bad case of herpes. my z06 is a 2lz which has the telescoping steering wheel to make it easier for my lanky 190 lb 6'3 body to get in and out easier when i have to park in my tight garage or next to a parked car. this cycles the steering wheel forward every time i exit the car and back towards me again before i start the engine... which from my reading seems to be causing this ongoing problem. what's wrong is this dangerous safety problem doesn't seem to ever get fixed for more than a year. what can i do to get gm to fix it or warranty this safety related item permanently so i don't get stuck having to deal with this dangerous safety condition forever? yes gm completed a technical service bulletin on my z06 to install a cheap plastic retainer that was supposed to fix this problem... to no avail. nhtsa has incorrectly closed your nhtsa action number: ea09002 of this issue based on gm's recall... but gm did not include my 2006 corvette z06 in their recall even though it uses the exact same telescopin steering wheel and active handling system as the base corvette which is included in gm's recall. nhtsa needs to force gm to include the z06 in their recall... or all of us z06 owners who bought gm's most expensive car in 2006 are screwed because of nhtsa's omission of the z06 from this safety recall! | |||
| 08/28/2009 | 3496 | 1 | |
| 2006 chevrolet corvette z06 loss of control due to right brake lock up after service active handling appearing in display. i was driving straight down the road at about 15 miles per hour and the car suddenly jerked to the right. i applied braking and stopped the vehicle before i hit a parked car. *tr | |||
| 06/01/2009 | 10000 | 1 | |
| Active handling system in 2006 corvette z06 engages at inappropriate times possibly leading to serious loss of control of vehicle and crash. three times within the past 12 months the service active handling light has illuminated, and the fixes have not been permanent. i believe for the safety of all drivers a permanent solution for this problem should be produced by gm. *tr | |||
| 04/05/2009 | 19600 | 1 | |
| I've got a 06 z06 that tries to apply the rt front brake everytime i drive it. this started 3 months ago. i saw a # on th cf.eoa9002. this is a car i paid 72k for that isn't safe to drive at all. this happens everytime i drive it. there are complaints of this from dubai to the us for over a year now and many documented totaled 06 z06's over this. *tr | |||
| 05/13/2009 | 1500 | 1 | |
| 2006 corvette z06 has intermittent failures of the active handling system causing one front brake to lock up. this causes the car to veer out of control instantly. dealer replaced the steering position sensor. the problem happened again. dealer did not know what to do, no stored codes. dash warning says service active handling system. dealer performed repair of the wiring harness at the steering column as per a tsb. problem remains. when the system fails it fails suddenly and violently. it is not a fail safe system. *tr | |||
| 04/25/2009 | 4685 | 1 | |
| Drove through a turn (rt hand) exited turn at approx 45 mph or less,went straight for approx 300 feet and car locked up rt front and left rear brakes causing car to go into 4 wheel slide (60 degrees from direction that was straight) jumped over curb side ways (drivers side facing curb) went off road,tires dug in and car rolled over 3 times,destroying car. there are many complaints on this active handling issue. car is still in my garage and has been inspected by a automotive forensics investigator. car is 100% complete and ready for any ones inspection including general motors. *tr | |||