# Kia Sportage traction control light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 8 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (4) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 8 owner complaints about the traction control light on the Kia Sportage (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (4). There are **2 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 Sportage traction control light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the traction control light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 1 | 146 | 1% | | 2017 | 4 | 404 | 1% | | 2019 | 1 | 71 | 1% | | 2023 | 1 | 195 | 1% | | 2024 | 1 | 75 | 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. ## Kia Sportage recalls related to the traction control light **[22V051000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V051000)** (2015-2016 models, reported 2022-02-02): 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 install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. **[21V137000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V137000)** (2017-2021 models, reported 2021-03-04): An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs... 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 Sportage owners report - "Critical safety systems--including Forward Collision-Avoidance, Blind-Spot Monitors, and Electronic Stability Control--instantly shut down mid-trip. Losing active stability and driver assists while moving on public highways poses an immediate, severe crash hazard to myself and others. 3. DEALER CONFIRMATION: Yes. An..." -- owner of a 2024 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2026 - "...including lane following assist, forward collision avoidance, electrical parking brake malfunction, electronic stability control malfunction, automatic braking, and downhill brake indicator. All warning lights illuminate on dash until car is stopped and turned off. And even then they may come on again upon restart...." -- owner of a 2023 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2024 - "The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated, and Hill Descent Assist message was displayed. The contact also stated that while in park(P), the speedometer intermittently fluctuated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the wheel speed sensor..." -- owner of a 2019 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2024 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 Sportage traction control light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (22V051000, 21V137000) covering 2015-2021 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Kia Sportage years have the most traction control light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2019 Sportage model years have the most complaints mentioning the traction control light, with 4 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia Sportage 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 Sportage 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 Sportage warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-sportage): 5 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-sportage): 14 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-sportage): 8 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-sportage): 14 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-sportage): 202 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-sportage): 22 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sportage): 76 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-sportage): 19 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 Sportage - [Kia Sportage specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-sportage) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-sportage Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.