# Honda Civic traction control light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 25 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (8) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 25 owner complaints about the traction control light on the Honda Civic (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (8). There is **1 recall** 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. ## Honda Civic traction control light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the traction control light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2016 | 7 | 1083 | 1% | | 2017 | 8 | 607 | 1% | | 2018 | 5 | 596 | 1% | | 2019 | 1 | 353 | 0% | | 2020 | 1 | 239 | 0% | | 2021 | 1 | 148 | 1% | | 2024 | 2 | 135 | 1% | 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. ## Honda Civic recalls related to the traction control light **[23V430000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V430000)** (2023 models, reported 2023-06-15): Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Recall repairs are free at any Honda dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Honda Civic owners report - "There's a huge safety issue because I was on a snowy road and my traction control was not on cause my Civic to lose control. Good thing I recovered it and no accident. I can drive 5 miles down the road or 200 miles, but at some point it will kick on. I have looked this up, and thousands of Honda owners are having..." -- owner of a 2024 Honda Civic, complaint filed 2025 - "The brakes, adaptive cruise control, and stability control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 18,480." -- owner of a 2021 Honda Civic, complaint filed 2023 - "The result is that VSA stability control is disabled. I first noticed the problem because warning lights appear during hard cornering -- precisely when stability control is most needed. Honda has acknowledged this exact failure mode. Service Bulletin 18-044 (NHTSA ID 10142655), issued June 2018, covers the 2017 Civic..." -- owner of a 2020 Honda Civic, complaint filed 2026 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 Honda Civic traction control light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (23V430000) covering 2023 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Honda Civic years have the most traction control light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Civic model years have the most complaints mentioning the traction control light, with 8 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Honda Civic 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 Honda Civic has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Honda 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 Honda Civic warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/honda-civic): 15 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-civic): 59 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-civic): 113 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/honda-civic): 83 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/honda-civic): 18 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/honda-civic): 59 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 - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/gmc-sierra): 180 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 ## Honda Civic - [Honda Civic specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/honda-civic) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/honda-civic Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.