# GMC Sierra traction control light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 180 - **Most complaints:** 2019 (68) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 180 owner complaints about the traction control light on the GMC Sierra (2015-2026 models), most for the **2019** model year (68). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: Yes, a car with a steady traction control light is safe to drive with extra care, since your normal brakes and steering still work. ## GMC Sierra traction control light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the traction control light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 9 | 818 | 1% | | 2017 | 3 | 431 | 1% | | 2018 | 4 | 305 | 1% | | 2019 | 68 | 658 | 10% | | 2020 | 41 | 484 | 8% | | 2021 | 20 | 599 | 3% | | 2022 | 11 | 603 | 2% | | 2023 | 11 | 506 | 2% | | 2024 | 5 | 380 | 1% | | 2025 | 6 | 126 | 5% | | 2026 | 2 | 81 | 2% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## GMC Sierra recalls related to the traction control light **[19V889000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V889000)** (2019 models, reported 2019-12-12): If the driver operates the vehicle unaware that ESC and ABS are not functioning, there is an increased risk of a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020. **[19V761000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V761000)** (2015-2018 models, reported 2019-10-24): 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. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Recall repairs are free at any GMC dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What GMC Sierra owners report - "-Dashboard Warnings: Within 5 minutes, intermittent "Traction Control" and "Forward Collision Warning" alerts appeared on the dash, accompanied by a sudden drop in engine power. -Engine Noise & Idle: Once safely pulled over, the engine exhibited a loud mechanical knock and a very rough, unstable idle. -Extended..." -- owner of a 2026 GMC Sierra, complaint filed 2026 - "I stopped at a stoplight and my truck shut off, the doors unlocked and then immediately restarted and then came up with a bunch of errors telling me that my brake system failed and to get the traction control serviced. I then had no power braking. This is the second time my truck has shut off at a light and..." -- owner of a 2025 GMC Sierra, complaint filed 2026 - "The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop, the "Service Traction Control" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for a while before attempting to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that the "Service..." -- owner of a 2024 GMC Sierra, complaint filed 2025 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the traction control light means A flashing traction control light is normal: it means the system is cutting power or braking a wheel to stop it from spinning on a slippery surface. A light that stays on means traction or stability control is turned off or has a fault, often a wheel speed sensor that also triggers the ABS light. The car drives normally, but it is easier to skid. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **System switched off** (common) 2. **Failed wheel speed sensor** (common) 3. **Engine fault disabling the system** (common) 4. **Steering angle sensor needs calibration** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Traction control light](/warning-lights/traction-control). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the GMC Sierra traction control light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (19V889000, 19V761000) covering 2015-2019 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which GMC Sierra years have the most traction control light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2019, 2020 and 2021 Sierra model years have the most complaints mentioning the traction control light, with 68 for 2019. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a GMC Sierra with the traction control light on? Drive to a shop this week. Yes, a car with a steady traction control light is safe to drive with extra care, since your normal brakes and steering still work. Slow down in rain, snow or ice, and get it checked soon if the ABS or red brake light is also on. ### How do I check if my GMC Sierra has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any GMC dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other GMC Sierra warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/gmc-sierra): 37 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/gmc-sierra): 18 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/gmc-sierra): 206 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/gmc-sierra): 540 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/gmc-sierra): 58 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/gmc-sierra): 57 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/gmc-sierra): 212 complaints ## Traction control light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/ram-1500): 372 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-silverado): 337 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/jeep-wrangler): 247 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-traverse): 133 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/jeep-grand-cherokee): 132 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-colorado): 128 complaints - [Chevrolet Malibu](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-malibu): 110 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/jeep-cherokee): 92 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/ford-explorer): 81 complaints - [Chevrolet Tahoe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-tahoe): 80 complaints ## GMC Sierra - [GMC Sierra specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/gmc-sierra) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/gmc-sierra Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.