# Subaru Outback traction control light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 15 - **Most complaints:** 2025 (3) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 15 owner complaints about the traction control light on the Subaru Outback (2015-2026 models), most for the **2025** model year (3). 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. ## Subaru Outback traction control light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the traction control light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 1 | 509 | 0% | | 2016 | 2 | 642 | 0% | | 2017 | 2 | 921 | 0% | | 2018 | 2 | 816 | 0% | | 2020 | 1 | 905 | 0% | | 2021 | 1 | 299 | 0% | | 2022 | 1 | 465 | 0% | | 2023 | 2 | 89 | 2% | | 2025 | 3 | 83 | 4% | 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. ## Subaru Outback recalls related to the traction control light **[16V251000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=16V251000)** (2015 models, reported 2016-04-27): Poor performance of the electronic stability control system when it is activated may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will perform an ABS activation, then flush and replace the brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2016. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Subaru Outback owners report - "ALL dashboard lights illuminated, COMPLETE LOSS of power steering (steering extremely heavy/difficult to control), all safety systems failed (ABS, brake sensors, traction control). SAFETY DANGER: Sudden power steering loss at 65mph made vehicle nearly uncontrollable. Required extreme force to steer to shoulder...." -- owner of a 2025 Subaru Outback, complaint filed 2025 - "2- When I was at a traffic light, my foot was on the brake, both traction control and brake warning lights came on and the car moved couple of inches forwards while my foot was firmly on the brake. This happened more than once to me but did not happen at the dealership. And the car didn't hold the charge at all..." -- owner of a 2023 Subaru Outback, complaint filed 2023 - "In addition to the alarms, the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) keeps nudging the steering wheel causing the vehicle to swerve. None of the front safe driving features of the vehicle can be trusted. The steering nudging problem doesn't happen when the VDC is turned off. The VDC defaults to on. To safely drive the..." -- owner of a 2022 Subaru Outback, 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 Subaru Outback traction control light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (16V251000) covering 2015 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Subaru Outback years have the most traction control light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2025 Outback model years have the most complaints mentioning the traction control light, with 3 for 2025. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Subaru Outback 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 Subaru Outback has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Subaru 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 Subaru Outback warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/subaru-outback): 10 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/subaru-outback): 33 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/subaru-outback): 14 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/subaru-outback): 46 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/subaru-outback): 67 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/subaru-outback): 25 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/subaru-outback): 18 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/subaru-outback): 33 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/subaru-outback): 13 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 ## Subaru Outback - [Subaru Outback specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/subaru-outback) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/subaru-outback Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.