C0561 Code: System Disabled Information Stored (StabiliTrak)
GM's brake or chassis module switched off stability/traction control because of a fault somewhere else.
Unverified: this manufacturer-specific definition comes from a single source or varies by model. Confirm it with a brand-specific scan tool.
Safety first · Consult a professional
- Braking system affected: ABS may be disabled. Drive carefully and have it checked promptly.
At a glance
Severity: Low
- Meaning
- System Disabled Information Stored (StabiliTrak)
- System
- Brakes, ABS & Chassis · Chassis
- Safe to drive?
- Yes, short term
- Typical repair cost
- $30–$600
- DIY difficulty
- Easy
C0561 is an informational GM code. It doesn't describe a broken part; it records that the EBCM, or another chassis module such as the power steering or electric parking brake module, disabled a function because it received a fault flag or invalid data from elsewhere. The usual trigger is a problem the engine computer reports, for example a misfire or an electronic throttle fault, because StabiliTrak and traction control need reliable engine torque control. Wheel speed sensors, an uncalibrated steering angle sensor, low voltage or network faults can do the same. The symptom byte -71 means invalid serial data received. Outside GM and GM-based vehicles, C0561 may carry a different manufacturer meaning.
Can I keep driving? Braking and ABS usually still work, but stability and traction control are off, so take corners and slippery roads more carefully. Fix the root-cause code, especially if the check engine light is also on.
How to read C0561
- C Chassis
- 0 Generic (SAE)
- 5 Brakes, ABS & Chassis
- 61 Specific fault
Symptoms
- 'Service StabiliTrak' and 'Service Traction Control' messages
- Check engine light or 'Reduced Engine Power' at the same time
- Warning appears after a misfire, stall or hard acceleration and clears after a restart
- Traction control off indicator on with no obvious reason
- Message began right after a wheel alignment or steering repair
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Engine fault reported by the ECM (misfire, electronic throttle or pedal sensor, cylinder deactivation)
- Wheel speed sensor or other ABS input fault stored in the same module
- Steering angle sensor not calibrated or faulty, often after alignment or steering work
- Low battery or charging voltage
- Network fault or invalid data between modules (U-codes)
- Brake switch or brake pressure sensor fault
Diagnosis step by step
Scan every module, not just ABS
C0561 almost never stands alone. Read the engine, transmission, steering and body modules as well, and note all current and history codes with their symptom bytes.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Fix engine codes first
If misfire, throttle or pedal sensor codes are present, repair those first. StabiliTrak stays off as long as the engine computer reports it can't control torque reliably.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Check the steering angle reading
With the wheels straight, the steering angle in live data should read close to zero degrees and change smoothly both ways. An offset after an alignment means the sensor needs calibrating with a scan tool.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Test battery and charging
Check resting voltage (about 12.4-12.7 V) and charging voltage (about 13.5-14.7 V). Low or fluctuating voltage can make modules reject data and set C0561 with no other clear cause.
Tools: Multimeter
Clear and confirm
Once the root cause is fixed, clear codes in all modules and drive at varied speeds, including a few turns. If C0561 returns alone, look at its history record for the module that sent invalid data.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Where the parts are
- 1Battery
- 2Alternator
- 3Engine computer (ECM)
- 4CAN bus
- 5Transmission
- 6Wheel speed sensor
- 7High-voltage battery
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Steering angle sensor calibration | No | $60–$150 |
| Battery replacement or charging repair | Yes | $150–$600 |
| Clean or replace electronic throttle body | Yes | $30–$600 |
| Repair root-cause misfire (plugs, coil, injector) | Yes | $100–$500 |
Rough US estimates for parts and labor; shop rates vary by region. Not a quote.
Notes by brand
Chevrolet
On GMT900-generation Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban trucks, 'Service StabiliTrak' with C0561 commonly accompanies engine problems such as misfires or electronic throttle faults, and it goes away once the engine fault is fixed.
Field data
Source: NHTSA Complaints API (US government open data), analyzed by DTC mention.
Emissions / smog test impact
Depends
C0561 itself isn't checked in an OBD emissions test, but the engine code that often triggers it turns on the check engine light, which fails the test. A safety inspection may also reject a lit stability warning.
Frequently asked questions
Should I replace the ABS module for C0561?
No. C0561 means the module disabled a function because of a fault elsewhere. Replacing the module won't help until the root-cause code is repaired.
Why would an engine problem turn off StabiliTrak?
Stability control reduces engine power as well as braking wheels. If the engine computer reports a misfire or throttle fault, the brake module can't count on that torque reduction, so it switches the system off.
Can a wheel alignment cause C0561?
Yes. If the steering wheel was re-centred without recalibrating the steering angle sensor, the module sees a mismatch between steering input and vehicle motion and disables stability control.
Will C0561 clear by itself?
Often the message disappears after a restart once the root cause is gone, but the history code stays until it's cleared with a scan tool.
Sources
- Manufacturer public service information (cross-checked)
- NHTSA Complaints API
- Methodology: How We Build Code Pages · Data Sources We Use · Editorial Policy