If you’re driving in adverse weather conditions and your Subaru traction control light comes on, that’s a good sign! It means everything is functioning as it should. But if the roads are clear and the system turns on, you will need to take a close look at what could be causing the problem.
The symbol for the traction control light
in a Subaru is a little car with wavy lines coming off the tires. When it flips on, your first reaction might be to panic since dashboard lights usually mean you need to get something checked. But do you need to brace yourself for an expensive car repair
? We’ll go over some common reasons—good and bad—your traction control light might turn on.
When your Subaru traction control light turns on
If you live in a mild climate where there isn’t much bad weather, you might never have seen your traction control light. It’s connected to your traction control system, which only engages when the roads are treacherous.
With Subaru, you will hear this system referred to as the vehicle stability control (VCS) system and the light is known as a VCS light. Problems with this light can be especially hard to gauge because it’s meant to turn on! In rainy or snowy conditions, your car is more likely to skid or lose traction. The VCS system helps to prevent that by using sensors in the wheels to determine when a tire has lost its grip. If it registers a problem, it will lessen the power to the other wheels to keep the vehicle driving smoothly.
The VCS is just one part of Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control System (VDC), which is meant to keep your vehicle going exactly where you want it to. There are several components apart from the VCS involved in this safety feature, including:
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Electronic brake force distribution
The VDC has been included in every Subaru produced since 2009, so there’s a good chance you have it on your model. Sometimes you might want to turn this system off, like if you need to get your vehicle out of deep snow. In this case, there is a small button with the same car-and-wavy-lines symbol that lights up on your console. Pressing that button will prevent the VCS from engaging. Don’t worry about turning it back on—it will reset automatically when you shut off your vehicle.
But if the light comes up on your dashboard, don’t just hit the button and consider the problem solved. You should think about why it might have turned on in the first place. Here are a few reasons you might be seeing the symbol.
Temporary loss of traction
The best reason the VCS light can turn on is that it’s functioning as it’s supposed to. In bad weather where the roads might be slick or in areas where the streets are poorly maintained, it’s reassuring to know your vehicle is working with you to keep you on the straight and narrow. The last thing you want is to go skidding around a corner and lose control.
But if the light stays on or illuminates when there is nothing to indicate slippery roads, you will want to consider getting an inspection. The problems might not be limited to the VCS system.
Software glitches
Because the VCS is part of the larger VDC system, problems with one component can affect the others. If there is a software problem or faulty sensor related to any other part of the VDC, it can cause the VCS light to turn on.
Sometimes you can fix this the same way you would any electronic—by turning it on and off again. Just press the button to turn VSC off then restart your vehicle. You can also try to reengage the system by pressing and holding the button. If neither of these methods works, you will have to dig a little deeper to find the underlying problem.
ABS malfunction
The ABS is another part of the VDC system, and if this is the true issue, you will need to address it immediately. Brakes are one of the most important aspects of your car. The VCS illuminating due to an issue with the ABS could mean you are low on brake fluid or that the speed sensors aren’t functioning properly. Whatever the case, you’ll want to take your vehicle to an expert to get the problem diagnosed.
Steering rack issues
If you’ve been having trouble steering or have recently had your steering rack replaced, this could be the cause of your VCS woes. You’ll want to get it checked out and repaired as soon as possible. If this is the root cause, getting it fixed should take care of your VCS problem as well.
Faulty sensors
While this problem is not as serious as some others on this list, faulty sensors can make your TCS light turn on for seemingly no reason. It could be that the wheel pressure sensor is no longer working properly, making your vehicle think the tire isn’t getting traction when it is.
There are a host of other sensors that all work in tandem in the VDC to accurately gauge where your car is in space. If any of them fail, it can make it difficult for the VCS to know when it should and shouldn’t turn on.
Can you drive with the traction control light on?
Your vehicle will function perfectly well even with the traction control light on—but you should be careful. If the VCS has come on because the system is engaged, the roads are dangerous and you’ll want to take care. It’s difficult to drive in the snow or heavy rain, so pay extra attention to your surroundings.
Of course, if the roads are clear and you’re experiencing another issue, ignoring that light could be even more dangerous. Problems with your steering rack or brake system should be addressed immediately. Overall, it’s best if you take your car to a mechanic
or dealership if there’s any question as to why you might be seeing that light. “After signing up with Jerry
, I went from $199/month to $97/month for my car insurance. My 2019 Subaru Forester now has full coverage for a great price!” —Rhonda H.
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