# Jeep Cherokee traction control light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 92 - **Most complaints:** 2019 (33) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 92 owner complaints about the traction control light on the Jeep Cherokee (2015-2026 models), most for the **2019** model year (33). 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. ## Jeep Cherokee traction control light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the traction control light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 18 | 1794 | 1% | | 2016 | 16 | 1414 | 1% | | 2017 | 8 | 1338 | 1% | | 2018 | 3 | 689 | 0% | | 2019 | 33 | 1676 | 2% | | 2020 | 7 | 334 | 2% | | 2021 | 5 | 177 | 3% | | 2022 | 1 | 52 | 2% | | 2026 | 1 | 9 | 11% | 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. ## Jeep Cherokee recalls related to the traction control light **[26V223000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=26V223000)** (2026 models, reported 2026-04-09): A loss of anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control increases the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will update the brake system control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2026. Recall repairs are free at any Jeep dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Jeep Cherokee owners report - "Intermittent grinding noise that lasts from 1 to 20 seconds that I believe is related to Traction Control / ASC which is concerning.It happens more frequently when turning the traction /asc button on & off. I have taken it to the jeep dealer & showed them a video of it happening but they said they could recreate the..." -- owner of a 2026 Jeep Cherokee, complaint filed 2026 - "When stopped the engine light was on, along with an alarm for loss of electronic stability control (ESC), and an alarm for brake service. After clearing the ESC alarm by restarting my vehicle multiple times as indicated in the owner's manual I tried to operate the vehicle. However, the vehicle would not move..." -- owner of a 2022 Jeep Cherokee, complaint filed 2024 - "Now a lot of lights are shining on my panel; the check engine light, the forward collision light, the parking break light, the regular brake notification, the traction control light.....all shining up like Christmas lights. This is an ongoing issue and I feel a recall needs to be done. My car is over the warranty..." -- owner of a 2021 Jeep Cherokee, 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 Jeep Cherokee traction control light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (26V223000) covering 2026 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Jeep Cherokee years have the most traction control light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2019 Cherokee model years have the most complaints mentioning the traction control light, with 33 for 2019. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Jeep Cherokee 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 Jeep Cherokee has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Jeep 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 Jeep Cherokee warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/jeep-cherokee): 32 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-cherokee): 71 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/jeep-cherokee): 144 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-cherokee): 215 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/jeep-cherokee): 587 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/jeep-cherokee): 75 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/jeep-cherokee): 64 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-cherokee): 145 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/jeep-cherokee): 5 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 - [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 ## Jeep Cherokee - [Jeep Cherokee specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/jeep-cherokee) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/jeep-cherokee Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.