C0561: How to Diagnose & Fix — System Disabled Information Stored
7 vehicles · 5 makes · $150-$2,500 repair
How to diagnose and fix C0561: most-reported vehicles
Ranked by owner reports. Each card gives the symptoms, how to confirm the cause, the fix, parts and sources for that vehicle.
Cadillac Escalade · 2007–2014
GMT900 Escalades commonly throw 'Service StabiliTrak' and 'Service Traction Control' together with a reduced-engine-power event, and owners chase it for months because three unrelated root causes present identically. The most common is the electronic throttle body - carbon buildup on the blade and a worn throttle position sensor track make the two APP/TPS signals disagree, the PCM defaults to limp mode, and StabiliTrak disables itself because it can no longer command torque reduction. The second is the brake pressure sensor or the EBCM internally, which sets a chassis code and disables ESC without any engine symptom. The third is a weak battery or corroded ground causing a low-voltage brownout that trips every chassis module at once. CarComplaints lists 'Stabiltrak Light On' as the #3 problem on the 2007 Escalade at an average of $1,800 and 75,000 miles, and the 2007 model year carries 41 NHTSA engine complaints, while the 2011 has 4 NHTSA complaints filed under Electronic Stability Control.
Common Symptoms
- Service StabiliTrak and Service Traction Control messages appear together
- Engine Power Reduced message with the vehicle limited to low speed
- Warning lights clear after an ignition cycle then return under load
- ABS and traction control lights on with normal braking otherwise
- Rough or surging idle after the throttle fault
How to Fix
Scan for chassis codes, not just powertrain codes - a generic OBD2 reader that only sees P-codes will miss the C-codes that actually identify the fault. C0561 alone means the module disabled itself because something else failed and is not the root cause; look for the code that set alongside it. If the event includes reduced engine power with a throttle-correlation code, remove and clean the throttle body with throttle-body cleaner and a soft cloth (never scrape the bore coating), then perform the idle relearn; if the fault returns, replace the throttle body, roughly $250-$450 installed. Before any of that, load-test the battery and clean the battery terminals and the engine-to-frame grounds - low voltage is the single most common cause of a multi-module StabiliTrak complaint and costs nothing to rule out. If the codes point at brake pressure sensing, the sensor is serviceable on many of these and is far cheaper than the EBCM; only condemn the EBCM after the sensor and its wiring check out. EBCM replacement or rebuild runs about $500-$1,200.
Sources for this issue (2)
Buick Encore GX · 2023–2025
On later Encore GX models the Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning system applies an inappropriate steering torque that pulls the vehicle across the centerline rather than back into the lane. An NHTSA complaint on the 2025 model describes a sudden, forceful takeover of the steering wheel toward oncoming traffic, requiring the driver to fight the system. CarComplaints lists Lane Assist as the leading reported problem on the 2025 model year, though from only a handful of reports. The behavior appears tied to camera misinterpretation of lane markings - faded lines, tar seams, construction striping, shadows and crest transitions - compounded by camera calibration that was never performed or was performed incorrectly after a windshield replacement.
Common Symptoms
- Steering wheel jerks or grips forcefully toward the centerline
- Vehicle steers toward oncoming traffic without driver input
- Repeated false lane departure alerts on clearly marked roads
- System activates over tar seams or old lane markings
- Behavior worsened after a windshield replacement
How to Fix
Have the front camera module recalibrated - this is mandatory after any windshield replacement and is the most common root cause of biased lane centering. Verify the camera's mounting bracket is fully seated and the windshield in front of it is free of distortion or an aftermarket tint strip, and confirm the vehicle is on the latest camera/ADAS module software, since GM addresses lane-centering behavior through calibration files. Check tire pressures and alignment, because a mechanical pull the system compensates for changes its torque output. Until it is corrected, Lane Keep Assist can be disabled through the vehicle settings menu; report the incident to NHTSA, since ADAS defects are only investigated when complaint volume builds.
Sources for this issue (2)
Ford F-150 · 2013–2018
The brake master cylinder rear cup seal can roll or fail, allowing brake fluid to leak from the front-circuit reservoir into the brake booster. This drops fluid in the front brake circuit and can reduce or eliminate front-wheel braking (rear brakes remain). Drivers report a long/soft pedal traveling near the floor, a brake warning light, and a low reservoir often with no visible external leak. The defect has driven repeated recalls on 3.5L EcoBoost trucks — 16S24/16V-345 (2013-2014), 20S31/20V-332 (2014-2017), 22S11/22V-150 (2016-2018), and 25S37/25V-236 (2017-2018) — and caused documented non-injury crashes.
Common Symptoms
- Brake pedal sinks toward the floor
- Increased pedal effort / hard pedal
- Red brake warning light and low-fluid chime
- Reservoir repeatedly low with no external leak
- Reduced front braking, longer stopping distance
How to Fix
Have the VIN checked for open recalls (16S24, 20S31, 22S11, 25S37) — the master cylinder is replaced free of charge, and the brake booster is also replaced if it shows evidence of fluid contamination. Outside recall coverage, replace the master cylinder (and booster if soaked). Do not ignore a recurring low reservoir or any change in pedal travel/effort; this is a loss-of-braking safety condition.
Sources for this issue (3)
Pontiac G6 · 2005–2010
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · 2014–2022
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C0561 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does C0561 mean?
C0561 stands for "System Disabled Information Stored." This code sets when the ABS/electronic brake control module disables itself because it received invalid, missing, or implausible serial data over the vehicle communication bus. Rather than a failed brake part, it usually means the module can't trust the data it's getting from another module (or the bus itself is faulty), so it shuts down ABS and stability/traction control as a precaution. Common subcodes include -71 (invalid serial data received) and -72 (alive counter incorrect, indicating a bus or sending-module problem). The driver typically sees ABS, traction, and 'Service Stability/StabiliTrak' messages while base braking still works.
What are the most common causes of C0561?
The most common causes of C0561 are: Communication (CAN/serial data) bus fault or corrupted data, Failing module on the bus sending bad data, Wiring or connector problems on the data lines, Corrosion at module connectors, Low battery voltage or charging problems, Body control module or other module fault, Software/calibration mismatch between modules. The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix C0561?
Repair costs for C0561 range from $150 to $2,500, depending on the vehicle and root cause.
Which vehicles are affected by C0561?
Au7o has documented C0561 across 7 vehicle models from 5 manufacturers: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Pontiac.
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Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.