Most drivers will never experience a rollover crash. But when they do happen, the consequences are often catastrophic. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rollover accidents account for nearly 35% of all passenger vehicle occupant fatalities—despite making up only a small percentage of total crashes.
Rollover crashes are so deadly because of:
- High-impact forces as the vehicle flips and tumbles
- Increased risk of ejection, especially when seatbelts or door latches fail
- Roof collapse, which can crush occupants and cause fatal head or spinal injuries
- Uncontrolled movement, exposing passengers to debris, other vehicles and the ground
Modern vehicles are supposed to help prevent rollovers. One of the most critical systems is electronic stability control (ESC)—sold under names like Stabilitrak in GM vehicles. But when ESC is missing or fails, lives are put at risk.
At Lucas Law Firm, we represent individuals and families who have been seriously injured—or lost loved ones—in rollover crashes where a safety defect may be to blame, including the failure or absence of electronic stability control.
Was your crash caused by a vehicle defect? Let’s find out >>
What Is Electronic Stability Control—and What Does It Do?
Electronic stability control is a crash avoidance system that helps prevent rollovers and spin-outs by automatically applying brakes to individual wheels when a loss of control is detected. It works by monitoring:
- Vehicle speed
- Steering angle
- Yaw (rotation)
- Lateral acceleration
When ESC senses the vehicle is veering off the driver’s intended path, it intervenes before the driver even has time to react.
Stabilitrak is the name General Motors uses for its ESC system. If your dashboard displayed “Service Stabilitrak,” that may signal a failure of the stability system.
Electronic Stability Control vs. Traction Control: What’s the Difference?
While both systems aim to improve vehicle safety, they serve different purposes:
- Traction control prevents wheel spin during acceleration by reducing engine power or applying brake force to slipping wheels—especially useful on wet or icy roads.
- Electronic stability control (ESC) goes further. It monitors the vehicle’s direction and steering input and if it detects a loss of control, it automatically applies braking to individual wheels to help the driver stay on course.
ESC includes traction control as a subset, but adds critical rollover and skid prevention features during cornering or sudden maneuvers.
How Effective Is ESC at Preventing Rollover Accidents?
ESC is one of the most important crash prevention technologies on the road today.
According to NHTSA, ESC reduces fatal single-vehicle rollover crashes by 85% in SUVs and over 50% in passenger cars. That’s why the U.S. government made ESC mandatory on all new passenger vehicles starting in 2012.
And yet, millions of older vehicles—and some base trims—still don’t have ESC. Others have it installed, but suffer from:
- Sensor failure
- Faulty calibration
- Incomplete software updates
- Damaged yaw or steering sensors after prior repairs or accidents
In some vehicles, the “Service Stabilitrak” warning is the only sign something went wrong—until a crash occurs.
Is ESC Required by Law?
Yes. Electronic Stability Control has been required on all new passenger vehicles sold in the United States since the 2012 model year, under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 126. The regulation applies to all cars, SUVs, vans and light trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less—regardless of where the vehicle was manufactured.
However, many older vehicles—and some base models manufactured before 2012—do not have ESC. If you’re unsure whether your vehicle includes this critical safety feature, check your owner’s manual, the manufacturer’s equipment list or consult a qualified service professional.
When Electronic Stability Control Is Missing or Defective
If your vehicle didn’t have ESC, or if Stabilitrak failed just before or during a crash, the consequences can be life-altering. These failures may lead to:
- Rollover car accidents
- Loss of control in curves or evasive maneuvers
- Overcorrection or spin-outs
- Secondary crashes with oncoming vehicles or fixed objects
If you’ve been seriously injured—or lost someone you love—in this kind of crash, it’s critical to determine whether a vehicle defect contributed.
Real-World Lawsuits Involving ESC Failures
Lawsuits involving electronic stability control (ESC) have surfaced in multiple forms—often tied to serious injury or death after a loss-of-control or rollover crash. Plaintiffs have alleged that ESC systems were missing, failed to engage or malfunctioned due to faulty sensors or software errors.
One wrongful death case, for example, involved an ESC software failure following a dealership repair. The vehicle veered off the road and rolled, fatally injuring the driver. Investigators found that the stability control system had not engaged when it should have.
In some cases—particularly in General Motors vehicles—drivers report “Service Stabilitrak” warnings before a crash. However, it’s important to note that Stabilitrak refers to a suite of systems, including ESC, traction control and throttle management. Many complaints attributed to Stabilitrak stem from non-ESC issues, such as throttle body malfunctions or engine misfires that disable the ESC system altogether.
While not every Stabilitrak issue reflects an ESC defect, these failures raise concerns about how easily ESC can be knocked offline, especially in vehicles that depend on it to prevent rollovers and spinouts.
These lawsuits raise serious product liability concerns involving:
- Design defects
- Failure to warn consumers about system limitations
- Negligent diagnosis or repair of ESC-related failures
At Lucas Law Firm, we specialize in investigating and litigating cases involving vehicle safety system failures. Our expertise ensures that manufacturers are held accountable for defects that compromise driver and passenger safety.
Part of a Larger Crash Avoidance System
Electronic stability control is part of a broader network of crash avoidance technologies that are supposed to work together to keep occupants safe.
Other related systems include:
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW): Alerts you when drifting out of your lane
- Lane Keep Assist (LKA): Gently steers vehicle back into lane
- Blind Spot Monitoring: Warns of cars in adjacent lanes
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Applies brakes to avoid a crash
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW): Warns of fast-approaching obstacles
- Traction Control: Manages wheel spin during acceleration
When any of these systems are missing or malfunctioning, the entire safety net fails—often with devastating results.
When to Contact a Rollover Accident Lawyer
If you were seriously injured—or if a loved one lost their life—in a crash where:
- The vehicle lacked ESC despite similar models including it
- You saw “Service Stabilitrak” warnings before or during the crash
- You lost control of the vehicle suddenly or unpredictably
- Your crash involved a rollover or severe loss-of-control scenario
…then it’s time to consult a lawyer who understands product liability and vehicle crashworthiness. Even if you’re already working with a lawyer, ask them to contact Lucas Law Firm to explore whether an auto defect may be involved.
Lucas Law Firm is the personal injury law firm that other attorneys turn to for experienced auto defect litigation. We work with engineers, vehicle data experts and crash reconstruction specialists to uncover stability control failures—and hold manufacturers accountable.
Contact us today to speak with a rollover accident attorney who knows how to investigate electronic stability control defects and pursue justice for your injuries.
FAQ: Electronic Stability Control and Rollover Accidents
What is electronic stability control?
A crash avoidance system that helps prevent loss of control and rollovers by applying the brakes to individual wheels.
What is Stabilitrak on a car?
Stabilitrak is GM’s version of ESC. It functions the same way—preventing loss of control and rollover crashes by managing steering and braking.
What does the Stabilitrak do?
Stabilitrak monitors steering input and vehicle direction. When a difference is detected—like skidding or fishtailing—it intervenes automatically.
What is the difference between ESC and traction control?
Traction control helps prevent wheelspin during acceleration. ESC controls the direction of the car by braking specific wheels in a slide or turn.
Why don’t all vehicles have ESC?
ESC has been required on all new vehicles since 2012—but many older cars or base models still don’t include it.
Are some vehicles more likely to roll over?
Yes. SUVs, trucks and vans have a higher center of gravity and are more prone to rollovers—especially without ESC.
What are the odds of surviving a rollover car accident?
Rollover accidents are rare, but deadly. They account for 35% of all passenger vehicle fatalities, according to NHTSA.
How do I know if ESC failed in my crash?
Look for warning lights (like “Service Stabilitrak”), recall notices or black box data. A product liability lawyer can help investigate.