# Hyundai Sonata traction control light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 74 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (34) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 74 owner complaints about the traction control light on the Hyundai Sonata (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (34). 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. ## Hyundai Sonata traction control light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the traction control light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 13 | 1209 | 1% | | 2016 | 14 | 861 | 2% | | 2017 | 34 | 850 | 4% | | 2018 | 3 | 384 | 1% | | 2020 | 3 | 182 | 2% | | 2022 | 3 | 114 | 3% | | 2023 | 1 | 88 | 1% | | 2024 | 3 | 47 | 6% | 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 Sonata 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. 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 Sonata owners report - "Sometimes the traction control light would on the dash during the momentary loss of traction. Problem worsened over time and the tires are now very worn at 34,000 miles. At one point, I almost lost control of the car and almost crashed when slowing down after the steering wheel started moving to the left itself..." -- owner of a 2024 Hyundai Sonata, complaint filed 2026 - "All safety features related to the back up camera, EPS, Traction Control, Lane Assist, Active Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam, Forward Collision Avoidance and more. 2. Loss of all safety features and then sudden restoration of EPS would cause swerve into oncoming lanes or into neighboring lanes and/or ditches...." -- owner of a 2023 Hyundai Sonata, complaint filed 2026 - "5 codes are for the Lane Keep Assist System, 1 for the Electronic Stability Control, 5 for Smart Cruise Control, and 4 for the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Three of the codes occurred after I purchased the vehicle with absolutely no warning or indication of any fault regarding the LKAS system." -- owner of a 2022 Hyundai Sonata, complaint filed 2022 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 Sonata traction control light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (23V651000) covering 2015 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Hyundai Sonata years have the most traction control light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Sonata 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 Sonata 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 Sonata 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 Sonata warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-sonata): 42 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/hyundai-sonata): 45 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/hyundai-sonata): 31 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/hyundai-sonata): 46 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-sonata): 731 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/hyundai-sonata): 76 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-sonata): 168 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/hyundai-sonata): 182 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/hyundai-sonata): 23 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 Sonata - [Hyundai Sonata specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-sonata) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/hyundai-sonata Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.