# Hyundai Santa Fe traction control light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 51 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (34) - **Related recalls:** 5 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 51 owner complaints about the traction control light on the Hyundai Santa Fe (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (34). There are **5 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. ## Hyundai Santa Fe traction control light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the traction control light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 4 | 339 | 1% | | 2016 | 4 | 308 | 1% | | 2017 | 34 | 1328 | 3% | | 2018 | 2 | 434 | 0% | | 2019 | 1 | 229 | 0% | | 2020 | 1 | 218 | 0% | | 2022 | 2 | 203 | 1% | | 2023 | 3 | 214 | 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. ## Hyundai Santa Fe recalls related to the traction control light **[23V651000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V651000)** (2015 models, reported 2023-09-22): An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. **[22V810000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V810000)** (2018 models, reported 2022-10-27): An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2022. **[22V056000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V056000)** (2016-2019 models, reported 2022-02-03): An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. **[21V303000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V303000)** (2015 models, reported 2021-04-28): An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, and inspect and replace the ABS module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 25, 2021. Note: This recall includes all... **[20V520000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V520000)** (2015 models, reported 2020-08-27): If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire. **Remedy:** Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began December 22, 2020. Note: This recall has been superseded by NHTSA Recall 21V-303 and all affected... Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Hyundai Santa Fe owners report - "My safety concern is that conventional DOT 4 does not meet the Class 6 low-temperature viscosity requirement specified for this model and other high-volume Hyundai models, which could affect ABS/ESC hydraulic response under low-temperature, icy, or snowy conditions. The Hyundai dealer's repair order documents..." -- owner of a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2026 - "The warnings included the Forward Collision Safety System, Blind-Spot Monitoring, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), Stability and Traction Control, Lane Keep Assist, and AUTO HOLD -- all activating at the same time. These warnings reappeared on several occasions and were photographed with date and location data..." -- owner of a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe, complaint filed 2026 - "It started with the blind spot monitoring lights flickering in the side mirrors and warnings for Forward Collision Avoidance (disabled), ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Downhill Brake Control, Parking Brake & Brake Fluid (blinking red). The rearview camera failed and the screen remained on the radio display when..." -- owner of a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, 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 Hyundai Santa Fe traction control light? Yes. NHTSA lists 5 related recalls (23V651000, 22V810000, 22V056000, 21V303000, 20V520000) covering 2015-2019 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Hyundai Santa Fe years have the most traction control light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Santa Fe model years have the most complaints mentioning the traction control light, with 34 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Hyundai Santa Fe 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 Hyundai Santa Fe has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Hyundai 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 Hyundai Santa Fe warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-santa-fe): 45 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/hyundai-santa-fe): 45 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/hyundai-santa-fe): 17 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/hyundai-santa-fe): 43 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-santa-fe): 602 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/hyundai-santa-fe): 43 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-santa-fe): 175 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/hyundai-santa-fe): 35 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/hyundai-santa-fe): 12 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 ## Hyundai Santa Fe - [Hyundai Santa Fe specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-santa-fe) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/hyundai-santa-fe Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.