What Does the 2010 Subaru Forester Traction Control Light Mean?

It’s normal for your 2010 Subaru Forester traction control light to flicker during harsh driving conditions. But if it stays on, there might be a problem.
Written by John Davis
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The traction control light on your 2010 Subaru Forester can mean a couple of different things. If the light briefly appears while driving in harsh conditions, your traction control is functioning as intended and working to keep your car stable. However, if the light turns on and stays on, it could indicate a traction control system malfunction.
It can be scary when a new light appears on your dash. But not all warning lights mean you need to take a trip to the
car repair
shop. Today, we'll explain what the traction control light means on your 2010 Subaru Forester and how to respond if it pops up on your instrument panel.
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
icon4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars
icon4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

Why your 2010 Subaru Forester traction control light turns on

Subaru's Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) operation indicator light—also known as the
traction control light
—can be confusing due to the two roles it plays. While it can be a warning light that indicates a problem with the traction control system, the light also appears when the system is working as intended to help prevent you from losing control of the vehicle in adverse conditions. 
The VDC system in your Subaru uses sensors originally designed for the aerospace industry. These sensors detect the direction in which you're moving and the direction in which you're steering your car. Then, the sensors send this data to the traction control module, which helps ensure that those two directions are the same—in other words, the VDC system prevents skidding and loss of vehicle control.
The system corrects for skidding by selectively applying the brakes to individual wheels or increasing the engine power. 
The VDC system in your 2010 Forester uses a series of lights—so in addition to the primary light described above, you may encounter the VDC OFF light, which looks exactly the same with the addition of the word "OFF" below the skid marks. This light and the TRAC OFF light indicate that the VDC system has been switched to the off position. Check your
owner's manual
for more information about specific indicator lights and their meanings. 
The VDC light may appear if any of the system components experience a malfunction. Sometimes this light pops up alongside other warning lights, like the check engine and cruise control lights, indicating further issues. Let's explore some of the most common reasons for a
traction control malfunction
in your 2010 Forester. 

Temporary loss of traction

Your traction control light is meant to come on during normal operation if you're driving in adverse weather conditions.
Rain, snow, sleet
, and mud can cause your vehicle to lose traction. And if you're driving in these conditions, you may notice the VDC light flickering on your instrument panel. 
If your traction control light turns on while driving in rough conditions, don't panic—it's totally normal for the VDC light to appear in these circumstances. However, if the light turns on and remains on, or if it turns on with other warning lights, you should take your car in for a
traction control light inspection

Faulty wheel speed sensors

A common cause of traction control system malfunctions is a faulty wheel speed sensor. These sensors are mounted near your car's brake rotors and, as a result, are subject to harsh conditions and wear out routinely. Wheel speed sensors are part of your car's VDC system—and if one fails, the system can malfunction. 
If your traction control light doesn't turn off, some of the first components you should check are your wheel speed sensors. You can take your Subaru to a professional mechanic for a
wheel speed sensor replacement service
or inspect the sensors and their wires yourself. Additionally, if you have access to an OBDII scan tool, you can search for
error codes
related to the wheel speed sensors. 

Anti-lock braking system (ABS) malfunction

Your Subaru's
anti-lock brake system
works with the VDC system to help you maintain control of your car. These two technologies are so closely related that they share the same control module. If your anti-lock brake system is experiencing any issues, like low fluid or a faulty ABS sensor, you'll likely notice your traction control light turns on with the ABS light. 
If both the VDC and ABS lights are on, you should take your Forester to the dealership or an independent shop to have the systems inspected. 

Low tire pressure

Sometimes
low tire pressure
can cause your VDC light to appear. That's because your Forester's wheel sensors can confuse low tire pressure with a loss of traction, resulting in an illuminated VDC light. Problems with your tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) can also trigger the light.
It's quick and easy to check your tire pressure, and it should be one of the first steps you take after noticing your VDC light. 
MORE: How low can your tire pressure go?

Broken VDC/ABS control module

Your Subaru's traction control and anti-lock brake systems share the same control module, which can malfunction and cause both systems' warning lights to appear. If this is the cause of your problem, you may also notice a check engine light. 
If the VDC light remains on even in normal, dry road conditions, you should take your Forester to a mechanic for diagnosis. 

The traction control system was turned off

Your traction control system is always turned on when your Forester is running normally—unless you
turn it off
using the button located to the left of your steering wheel. 
Before you take a trip to the auto repair shop, check to make sure you didn't inadvertently press the button to turn off your VDC system. 

Other causes

The issues described above are not the only things that can cause your car's traction control light to appear—especially if it is accompanied by other warning lights. 
A common complaint among Subaru Forester owners is the appearance of the check engine, cruise control, and traction control lights all at once and, seemingly, at random. Anything from a loose gas cap to a bad
O2 sensor
and dirty
fuel injectors
can cause this problem.
If you encounter this issue, you should take a trip to your local mechanic or auto parts store to have the fault codes read. 

Can you drive your 2010 Subaru Forester with the traction control light on?

You can drive your 2010 Subaru Forester with the traction control light on, but you should take extra precautions if driving in adverse conditions. 
In review, it's normal for the light to flicker on and off while driving in harsh conditions. However, if the light turns on and stays on, it means the traction control system has malfunctioned, which could result in decreased vehicle control during slick conditions. The VDC system is important for your safety behind the wheel, so it's critical that you fix any malfunctions as soon as possible. 
"This was and is great service!
Jerry
saved me $400 on my renewal. I was super shocked!" —Jackson M.
Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
Try GarageGuard™

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings