# Toyota RAV4 traction control light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 46 - **Most complaints:** 2019 (11) - **Related recalls:** 3 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 46 owner complaints about the traction control light on the Toyota RAV4 (2015-2026 models), most for the **2019** model year (11). 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. ## Toyota RAV4 traction control light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the traction control light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 5 | 305 | 2% | | 2016 | 4 | 256 | 2% | | 2017 | 2 | 321 | 1% | | 2018 | 3 | 348 | 1% | | 2019 | 11 | 907 | 1% | | 2020 | 6 | 652 | 1% | | 2021 | 8 | 510 | 2% | | 2022 | 3 | 177 | 2% | | 2023 | 2 | 238 | 1% | | 2025 | 1 | 99 | 1% | | 2026 | 1 | 30 | 3% | 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. ## Toyota RAV4 recalls related to the traction control light **[22V239000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V239000)** (2021-2022 models, reported 2022-04-13): Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. **[19V544000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V544000)** (2019 models, reported 2019-07-24): Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2019. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 and Lexus owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for... **[16V198000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=16V198000)** (2016 models, reported 2016-04-07): Insufficient brake fluid pressure may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2016, 2016. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Toyota RAV4 owners report - "The illuminated symbols appear to relate to the car's ADAS / safety systems (advanced driver assistance systems), including: Lane keeping / lane departure assist malfunction Pre collision system disabled Traction/Stability control malfunction Adaptive cruise control unavailable Blind spot or parking assist disabled..." -- owner of a 2026 Toyota RAV4, complaint filed 2026 - "Vehicle Stability Control System (VSC/TRAC) malfunction 3. Secondary Collision Brake System malfunction 4. Pre-Collision System malfunction 5. Parking Brake System malfunction 6. Advanced Ultrasonic Detecting and Ranging System malfunction Ourisman Toyota Chantilly (RO# XXX) has confirmed complete transmission..." -- owner of a 2025 Toyota RAV4, complaint filed 2026 - "At the same time, a grinding noise, similar to (if not the same as) the ABS system is heard, and the VSC light flashes. The occurrence of this problem is unpredictable, the severity is inconsistent. It happens across various ranges of brake pressure/deceleration rates and speeds. No accident has occurred to date..." -- owner of a 2023 Toyota RAV4, 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 Toyota RAV4 traction control light? Yes. NHTSA lists 3 related recalls (22V239000, 19V544000, 16V198000) covering 2016-2022 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Toyota RAV4 years have the most traction control light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2019, 2020 and 2021 RAV4 model years have the most complaints mentioning the traction control light, with 11 for 2019. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Toyota RAV4 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 Toyota RAV4 has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Toyota 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 Toyota RAV4 warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/toyota-rav4): 19 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/toyota-rav4): 41 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/toyota-rav4): 13 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/toyota-rav4): 63 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/toyota-rav4): 123 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/toyota-rav4): 92 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/toyota-rav4): 129 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/toyota-rav4): 17 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 ## Toyota RAV4 - [Toyota RAV4 specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/toyota-rav4) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/toyota-rav4 Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.