Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Electronic Stability Control (esc) Problems
Owners have filed 395 complaints with NHTSA about electronic stability control (esc) problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 across 25 model years. The 2014 model year has the most (161). The words owners use most often: “traction control” (14% of reports).
- 395electronic stability control (esc) complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 16mention a crash
- 9mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 36%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Traction control: mentioned in 55 of 395 complaints (14%)
- Steering assist: mentioned in 32 of 395 complaints (8%)
- Service ESC: mentioned in 28 of 395 complaints (7%)
- Trailer brake: mentioned in 21 of 395 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do electronic stability control (esc) problems happen?
Based on 357 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 395 complaints, 16 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 9 an injury.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 electronic stability control (esc) complaints by model year
| Model year | Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 0% | 23,000 |
| 2022 Silverado 1500 | 3 | 0% | 74,000 |
| 2021 Silverado 1500 | 2 | 0% | 102,500 |
| 2020 Silverado 1500 | 13 | 2% | 8,775 |
| 2019 Silverado 1500 | 51 | 5% | 8,600 |
| 2018 Silverado 1500 | 16 | 3% | 41,000 |
| 2017 Silverado 1500 | 10 | 1% | 36,475 |
| 2016 Silverado 1500 | 18 | 2% | 48,000 |
| 2015 Silverado 1500 | 20 | 2% | 51,000 |
| 2014 Silverado 1500 | 161 | 11% | 65,000 |
| 2013 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2012 Silverado 1500 | 10 | 5% | 69,000 |
| 2011 Silverado 1500 | 18 | 3% | 88,000 |
| 2010 Silverado 1500 | 19 | 5% | 122,000 |
| 2009 Silverado 1500 | 13 | 3% | 76,993 |
| 2008 Silverado 1500 | 10 | 1% | 51,453 |
| 2007 Silverado 1500 | 11 | 1% | 108,444 |
| 2006 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 0% | 160,000 |
| 2005 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 0% | 51,089 |
| 2004 Silverado 1500 | 3 | 0% | 120,544 |
| 2003 Silverado 1500 | 4 | 0% | 175,000 |
| 2002 Silverado 1500 | 3 | 1% | 103,000 |
| 2001 Silverado 1500 | 4 | 1% | 84,000 |
| 2000 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 0% | 167,270 |
| 1999 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 0% | 122,018 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes; electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:abs warning light
Model years: 2019
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Cadillac CT6, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. Due to an Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) software error, the vehicle's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Antilock Brake System (ABS) may become disabled. Furthermore, if this specific error occurs, the vehicle's diagnostics will not illuminate the instrument cluster ESC and ABS malfunction warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: If the driver operates the vehicle unaware that ESC and ABS are not functioning, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192268090.
Service brakes; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ring; electronic stability control (esc)
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact was alerted by OnStar of a failure with the stability system. While the contactâs husband was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle was jerking; the brakes were sticking while the brake pedal was depressed. The failure persisted while driving 50…
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the engine started knocking, and the sound grew louder while making a turn. The Electronic Stability Control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where one…
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH on the highway, the vehicle started vibrating abnormally. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light was illuminated. The vehicle remained operable, but the vibration remained constant. The…
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The Service Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light, Parking Brake warning light, a wrench warning symbol, and the check engine warning light were…
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 MPH and exiting the interstate with a speed limit of 55 MPH, the instrument panel, check engine, stability control, and several other warning lights illuminated. The vehicle felt like there was a…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Silverado 1500s have electronic stability control (esc) problems?
No. NHTSA has 395 owner complaints about electronic stability control (esc) for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 electronic stability control (esc)?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list electronic stability control (esc). Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about electronic stability control (esc) problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “traction control”, in 55 of 395 complaints, followed by “steering assist” (32).
Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
- Service Brakes problems (2,959)
- Electrical System problems (2,694)
- Engine problems (2,656)
- Power Train problems (2,508)
- Air Bags problems (2,409)
- Steering problems (1,526)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (1,525)
- Structure problems (933)
See all Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems.