NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
58 reportsClear category filter72,424 miles · Dec 16, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control System
I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60 MPH) ON A TWO LANE ROAD. TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW FREEZING, NO ICE OR SNOW. SUDDENLY A BELL SOUNDED, THE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" BLINKED ON THE DISPLAY, THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REDUCED POWER, AND "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" DISPLAYED ALTERNATELY WITH THE "SERVICE …
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I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60 MPH) ON A TWO LANE ROAD. TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW FREEZING, NO ICE OR SNOW. SUDDENLY A BELL SOUNDED, THE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" BLINKED ON THE DISPLAY, THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REDUCED POWER, AND "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" DISPLAYED ALTERNATELY WITH THE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" WARNING. I WAS SCARED, BUT HAD ABOUT 8 MILES TO DRIVE TO MY HOME TOWN. I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AT ABOUT 40 MPH, TURNED ON MY FLASHERS, AND CONTINUED ON TO MY HOME. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WITH ICE ON THE ROAD, AS THERE HAD BEEN THAT MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK, A CRASH WOULD NO DOUBT HAVE OCCURRED AS THESE ROADS ARE VERY SLIPPERY IN WINTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556167
5,200 miles · Nov 28, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesTraction Control System
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE CARS SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND SO DOES THE ABS BRAKE SERVICE LIGHT. THE CAR THEN REDUCES POWER TO NO MORE THEN 35-40 MPH AND THAT'S WITH THE GAS PEDAL FLOORED. IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE NEW. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE HARNESS, AND WHEEL HUB AND IT STILL HAPPENS, SOMETIMES IN VERY DANGEROU…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE CARS SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND SO DOES THE ABS BRAKE SERVICE LIGHT. THE CAR THEN REDUCES POWER TO NO MORE THEN 35-40 MPH AND THAT'S WITH THE GAS PEDAL FLOORED. IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE NEW. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE HARNESS, AND WHEEL HUB AND IT STILL HAPPENS, SOMETIMES IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS LIKE WHILE DRIVING ON A HWY WITH A TRUCK BEHIND YOU AND THE CAR GOES FROM 60 MPH TO 40 MPH IN A HEART BEAT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID ITS A COMMON ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH GM CARS IN 2006-2009. THE ONLY PART LEFT TO CHANGE WOULD BE THE COMPUTER MODULATOR, HOWEVER TALKING TO OTHER GM OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10554066
58,000 miles · Jul 21, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AND ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR ABOUT A MILE. HAD SHORT BURSTS OF REDUCTION IN POWER CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN FOR BRIEF PERIODS OF TIME. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING FREQUENTLY FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.THE RISK OF THIS HAPPENING AT HIGH SPEEDS IN T…
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STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AND ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR ABOUT A MILE. HAD SHORT BURSTS OF REDUCTION IN POWER CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN FOR BRIEF PERIODS OF TIME. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING FREQUENTLY FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.THE RISK OF THIS HAPPENING AT HIGH SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC IS VERY CONCERNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525960
55,000 miles · Jul 15, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control
A FEW MONTHS AGO, WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING CAME ON AND ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD ON A BUSY ROAD. FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS FROM GM, MY MECHANIC CLEANED CONNECTIONS ON THE PEDAL RELAY. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED THIS PAST SATURDAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, NEARLY CAUSING A CO…
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A FEW MONTHS AGO, WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING CAME ON AND ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD ON A BUSY ROAD. FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS FROM GM, MY MECHANIC CLEANED CONNECTIONS ON THE PEDAL RELAY. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED THIS PAST SATURDAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, NEARLY CAUSING A COLLISION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE REPAIRS TO FIX THIS ISSUE WILL RUN CLOSE TO $1,000. I HAVE ALSO READ MANY FORUMS ON THE INTERNET INDICATING THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH IMPALA'S. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITH A SAFETY RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524817
70,000 miles · Jun 25, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND P…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER REDUCTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521702
135,007 miles · Jun 23, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control
ON JUNE 22, 2012 AS I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE POPPED UP ON THE DASH. I KNOW MY CAR SLOWED DOWN A LOT AND THEN PICKED UP SPEED AGAIN. I NOTICE THAT EACH TIME I PRESSED ON THE PETAL TO STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE CAR WOULD JERK FORWARD. I DID NOT THINK TOO MUCH O…
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ON JUNE 22, 2012 AS I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE POPPED UP ON THE DASH. I KNOW MY CAR SLOWED DOWN A LOT AND THEN PICKED UP SPEED AGAIN. I NOTICE THAT EACH TIME I PRESSED ON THE PETAL TO STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE CAR WOULD JERK FORWARD. I DID NOT THINK TOO MUCH OF IT UNTIL MY HUSBAND THEN DROVE IT AND SAID THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIM AND THE CAR WAS DRIVING REALLY ROUGH. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SEE THAT LOTS OF CHEVY OWNERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE ENFORCE A RECALL AS THIS IS NOT SAFE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521299
95,000 miles · May 28, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2008 CHEVY IMPALA, I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 1/2 AND NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED IT, I START EXPERIENCING THE (TCS) TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR - WHICH ALTERNATIVELY REDUCE THE SPEED OF THE ENGINE; IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY,... I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED ON THE CAR, AND THEY READER S…
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I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2008 CHEVY IMPALA, I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 1/2 AND NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I PURCHASED IT, I START EXPERIENCING THE (TCS) TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR - WHICH ALTERNATIVELY REDUCE THE SPEED OF THE ENGINE; IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY,... I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED ON THE CAR, AND THEY READER SAID IT WAS DUE TO A CYLINDER 5 MISFIRE.... MY CAR IS A 6 CYLINDER, IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS WHEN THE (TCS) DOES COME ON' THE REDUCE ENGINE SPEED IS WELL UNDER THE HIGHWAY SPEED LIMIT. OTHER CONCERNS THAT ARISE IS THAT SENSE THIS SENSOR HAS BEEN OWN, IT' HAS ACCUMULATED OTHER SENSORS' (ABS) (!) AND THE THROTTLE PEDAL SENSOR. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE GM TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL ON THIS, AND WAS ADVISE THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I THINK THIS IS A HUGE DANGER, AS THIS IS A COMMONLY USED CAR IN THE U.S & IF THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THUS FAR OVER THE SAME ISSUE, WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE? WHAT IF YOU'VE WORKED HARD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE YOU WANT;& HAVE TO PAY OUT OF COST; OTHER THAN BASIC MAINTENANCE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10513900
71,009 miles · May 14, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)StructureVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE . I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY AND THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" WARNINGS CAME ON. AFTER A FEW MINUTES "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" WARNING CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN OVER 50 MPH. THIS IS ON A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND WHEN THE LIGHTS COME …
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I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE . I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY AND THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" WARNINGS CAME ON. AFTER A FEW MINUTES "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" WARNING CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN OVER 50 MPH. THIS IS ON A 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA. I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON ,THEY JUST AS QUICKLY TURN OFF AND ON AGAIN. THE CAR SHOOK AND THE THROTTLE WAS A BIT OFF. IT WAS VERY SCARY TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT AND IT IS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT.AS OF TODAY, THIS IS THE 5TH TIME I HAVE DEALT WITH "REDUCED ENGINE POWER"/"SERVICE STABILITRAK". SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE. INSTEAD OF BEING SCARED OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT, I'M FEARFUL I WILL BE THE ONE CAUSING THE PILE UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511828
89,998 miles · Apr 6, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control
WHEN MY IMPALA FIRST STARTED TO DISPLAY THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE MESSAGE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. SO I CHANGE THE GAS PEDAL THE ENGINE LIGHT WHEN OFF FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. THEN MY CAR CUT OFF ONE DAY AS I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. WHEN I WENT TO GET IT CHECK THEY TOLD ME IT MIGHT BE THE ALTERNAT…
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WHEN MY IMPALA FIRST STARTED TO DISPLAY THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE MESSAGE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. SO I CHANGE THE GAS PEDAL THE ENGINE LIGHT WHEN OFF FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. THEN MY CAR CUT OFF ONE DAY AS I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. WHEN I WENT TO GET IT CHECK THEY TOLD ME IT MIGHT BE THE ALTERNATOR AND THEN IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. THEN THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT BUT MY CAR IS NOW PARK AND REFUSE TO STAY RUNNING. IT WILL START ONLY TO CUT OFF A MILE OR SO INTO DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10507376
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
THE CAR IS ALWAYS GIVING ME A HARD TIME AND IT ALMOST CAUSED AN INCIDENT FROM SHUTTING DOWN ON SERVICE STABILITRAK, ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL FOR NO REASON. TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY ITS JUST A MALFUNCTION AND WANT TO CHARGE MONEY NOT EVEN SURE WHAT IT IS. THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW SAY IT THE COMPUTER…
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THE CAR IS ALWAYS GIVING ME A HARD TIME AND IT ALMOST CAUSED AN INCIDENT FROM SHUTTING DOWN ON SERVICE STABILITRAK, ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL FOR NO REASON. TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY ITS JUST A MALFUNCTION AND WANT TO CHARGE MONEY NOT EVEN SURE WHAT IT IS. THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW SAY IT THE COMPUTER AND IT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. THIS IS UNSAFE ALMOST GOT REAR END. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10507193