# Kia Soul traction control light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 17 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (5) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 17 owner complaints about the traction control light on the Kia Soul (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (5). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. 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 Soul traction control light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the traction control light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 5 | 908 | 1% | | 2016 | 4 | 826 | 0% | | 2017 | 3 | 272 | 1% | | 2019 | 1 | 140 | 1% | | 2020 | 2 | 388 | 1% | | 2022 | 1 | 97 | 1% | | 2023 | 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. ## Is there a recall for the Kia Soul traction control light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Kia Soul has 10 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Kia Soul page](/vehicles/kia-soul) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). ## What Kia Soul owners report - "Out of no where and without warning, the steering wheel pulls in opposite direction and stability control light turns green and stays on the dashboard. Cannot move steering wheel. Simultaneously, the HD radio will get very staticy and abruptly shut off. After about a minute, the radio will come back on and the..." -- owner of a 2023 Kia Soul, complaint filed 2023 - "The ABS, traction control, Forward Collision Avoidance, and System Check warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The failure was progressively worsened. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminate every seven miles of..." -- owner of a 2022 Kia Soul, complaint filed 2025 - "The traction control warning light and the check engine warning light are illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that..." -- owner of a 2020 Kia Soul, 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 Kia Soul traction control light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. A repair is usually at the owner's cost unless the car is under warranty. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since new recalls are added often. ### Which Kia Soul years have the most traction control light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Soul model years have the most complaints mentioning the traction control light, with 5 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia Soul 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 Soul 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 Soul warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-soul): 14 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-soul): 13 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-soul): 34 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-soul): 18 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-soul): 785 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-soul): 110 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-soul): 230 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-soul): 31 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 Soul - [Kia Soul specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-soul) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-soul Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.