Almost every C5 (1997-2004) Corvette is affected by a faulty electronic brake control module. When this module fails, the car illuminates the ABS and traction control light. And displays service abs and service traction control messages. This is a serious safety issue as when this happens, the abs brakes no longer work nor does the traction control. It blows my mind how this has never been recalled especially on a rear drive sports car.
1999 Chevrolet Corvette: ABS light or ABS activating
10 of the 308 complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette describe ABS light or ABS activating.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 51,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
ABS light or ABS activating by model year
What owners say
My corvette as well as many others from 97-04 suffer from the active handling ABS/traction control system going bad. The part is known as the ebcm. When it goes bad (if cruise is engaged) the car will disable cruise control suddenly causing car to slow down. Also, when the system fails while moving it cause cause uneven brake feeling and you loose the ABS and traction control systems . Gm has discontinued the parts required to repair this and this issue has been major safety concerns for many years now affecting many 97-04 corvettes. Also a part of this system is the steeling wheel position sensor which is also discontinued. Swps can send wrong info to the other computers and the car will make erroneous 'corrections' that can lead to brakes being applied at any moment while driving.
The ecbm (ABS module) goes out on a huge percentage of these cars from 1997 - 1999 and you lose ABS with your braking which is dangerous and you also loose traction control which is also dangerous. The early c5 corvettes have this problem with the ecbm going out and nobody will fix it nor are there any parts available. Chevrolet should take care of this issue as it greatly affects safety in their flagship vehicle.
After having the harmonic balancer replaced. After leaving baierl automotive service (wexford, pa) and 1/8 mile drive, the following warning messages appeared with alarm on my d.I.c. Active handling warming up' then "service vehicle soon " they have know they broke it when they dropped the steering but can't get the part to fix it. I found the parts, (used) required and paid way to much money for labor to have them install them. After around 200 miles my d.I.c. Now annunciate, active handling ,service ABS, service traction control. Do I need to get a lawyer for help.
1997 thru 2000 chevy corvettes have had ABS / traction control problems since their original production . The problem is gm never fixed the problem until the 2001 model year and this part does not fit the 1997 - 2000 autos . They no longer make parts to fix the problem, and the ABS module can not be repaired by after market repair facilities . So now we have thousands of vehicles on the road with a problem that can not be repaired .their are many complaints about this problem on the gm forums sites .I feel a big problem with this is since this is a corvette these cars are not going away and will be on the road for many decades to come as they are a collectible vehicle .I do believe gm has the responsibility to fix this problem or at least release info to aftermarket repair facilities so they can be repaired .or make a part so these cars can be repaired and be on our highways safe .in their own words in their owners manual they say if the ABS / traction / handling control light is on to see a dealer as soon as possible, that's great but they can not fix the problem as they have no parts to fix it . Thank you
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that while going over a speed bump, the ABS light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the technician diagnosed that the electronic brake control module needed to be replaced. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000 and the current mileage 58,000.
Wheels locked up during panic braking. Abs can not be repaired. Ebcm is broken, part is discontinued and can not be repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet corvette. The contact stated that the ABS warning loss illuminated upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who inspected the vehicle and stated that it needed a new ebt-ABS brake module. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that the parts were discontinued and they could not get the parts from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Car accelerated wide open throttle on its own. At 115 MPH on city street I put trans in neutral and turn off key. Had no power brakes or ABS; no power steering. Was able to stop car and turn off to side road and stop without accident. Towed to dealer. Dealer and gm tech support could not find problem. Dealer paid for tow and repair attempt although out of factory warranty. Took vehicle and next evening [06/07/2001] defect reoccured but I shut it shut it down before high speed was reached. Car cannot be saely driven without concern for personal safety and safety of public. What do I do?
Active handling system service light first came on in june 1999. Took to dealership for repairs and they replaced 2 electronic brake and traction control (ebtcm) modules. They found an internally shorted ebtcm. In july 1999, the active handling system service came on again. Took to dealership and again they found and replaced one internally faulty ABS electronic brake and traction control module (ebtcm). I picked the car up on 07/29/99. On 07/30/99 I started the car in the morning and the active handling system service light came on a few seconds after starting. Contacted dealership, but they don't know the cause or what to do. Appears to me to be heat related-combination of outside temp. And temp. Of system. Three modules have been replaced to date and have failed to correct the problem. Also described as "yaw rate sensor circuit malfunction" on service invoice.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette abs
Is ABS light or ABS activating a common problem on the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette?
10 of 308 owner complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette (3%) mention ABS light or ABS activating. The model year with the most reports is 2000.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette?
There are 0 recalls and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
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