# Kia K5 traction control light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 36 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (14) - **Related recalls:** 3 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 36 owner complaints about the traction control light on the Kia K5 (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (14). There are **3 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. ## Kia K5 traction control light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the traction control light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 14 | 1010 | 1% | | 2016 | 4 | 760 | 1% | | 2017 | 5 | 257 | 2% | | 2018 | 1 | 233 | 0% | | 2019 | 3 | 213 | 1% | | 2021 | 3 | 170 | 2% | | 2022 | 4 | 130 | 3% | | 2023 | 1 | 112 | 1% | | 2025 | 1 | 54 | 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. ## Kia K5 recalls related to the traction control light **[23V652000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V652000)** (2015 models, reported 2023-09-25): 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 HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18,... **[21V331000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V331000)** (2015 models, reported 2021-05-10): An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes... **[20V519000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V519000)** (2015 models, reported 2020-08-27): If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire. **Remedy:** Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Kia K5 owners report - "The ESC/traction control system is enabled and there are no warning lights displayed. Tire pressures have been checked and are approximately 33-34 PSI, and I have not observed abnormal tire wear or visible tire damage. The problem appears to occur primarily on wet pavement while turning and applying even light..." -- owner of a 2025 Kia K5, complaint filed 2026 - "The Electronic Stability Control Warning Light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000." -- owner of a 2023 Kia K5, complaint filed 2025 - "Check engine light, AUTOHOLD, EPB, traction control, etc. all aluminate on my dashboard. Car drives very rough and doesn't want to accelerate or shift. Huge safety issue. Dealership said it was the throttle body assembly. Paid to have it replaced and the issues still persists. I have read multiple other comments..." -- owner of a 2022 Kia K5, 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 Kia K5 traction control light? Yes. NHTSA lists 3 related recalls (23V652000, 21V331000, 20V519000) covering 2015 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Kia K5 years have the most traction control light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 K5 model years have the most complaints mentioning the traction control light, with 14 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia K5 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 Kia K5 has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kia 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 Kia K5 warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-k5): 29 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-k5): 25 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-k5): 26 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-k5): 23 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-k5): 518 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-k5): 36 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-k5): 159 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-k5): 52 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/kia-k5): 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 ## Kia K5 - [Kia K5 specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-k5) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-k5 Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.