# Toyota Tacoma traction control light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 30 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (8) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 30 owner complaints about the traction control light on the Toyota Tacoma (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (8). 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. ## Toyota Tacoma traction control light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the traction control light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 3 | 102 | 3% | | 2016 | 8 | 324 | 2% | | 2017 | 5 | 244 | 2% | | 2018 | 4 | 210 | 2% | | 2019 | 5 | 219 | 2% | | 2021 | 2 | 81 | 2% | | 2022 | 1 | 59 | 2% | | 2023 | 2 | 54 | 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. ## Is there a recall for the Toyota Tacoma traction control light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Toyota Tacoma has 24 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Toyota Tacoma page](/vehicles/toyota-tacoma) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). ## What Toyota Tacoma owners report - "While slowing for a turn, the instrument cluster displayed a Pre-Collision System (PCS) malfunction warning and a Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) warning. The Driver applied the brake pedal continuously, but the vehicle did no decelerate as expected. ABS did not activate, and braking effectiveness was insufficient...." -- owner of a 2023 Toyota Tacoma, complaint filed 2025 - "The vehicle skidded to a stop with no signs of ABS or stability control activation (no lamps, etc), and about 2s later, a clicking sound was heard from the engine bay and the vehicle began rolling freely again with foot still off the pedal. No warning lamps ever illuminated, nor were any messages or functional..." -- owner of a 2022 Toyota Tacoma, complaint filed 2023 - "After I purchased my 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport with 4 miles on it and at 1,332 miles on 11/26/21, the Check Engine light with Traction Control Off light came on while I was driving. I immediately pulled over and on the truck media screen it read this: "A malfunction in the electronic control of the engine,..." -- owner of a 2021 Toyota Tacoma, 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 Toyota Tacoma 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 Toyota Tacoma years have the most traction control light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2019 Tacoma model years have the most complaints mentioning the traction control light, with 8 for 2016. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Toyota Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/toyota-tacoma): 7 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/toyota-tacoma): 12 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/toyota-tacoma): 43 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/toyota-tacoma): 68 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/toyota-tacoma): 19 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/toyota-tacoma): 16 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 Tacoma - [Toyota Tacoma specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/toyota-tacoma) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/toyota-tacoma Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.