Stability Control Off Light
What it means
Shown in amber as a car with two wavy skid lines and the word OFF, this light means stability or traction control is switched off, usually because the driver pressed the off button. If it appears without pressing the button, the system may have switched itself off because of a fault. It is normal for it to glow briefly at key-on and then go out.
Symptoms4
- The light is on after pressing the system off button.
- Wheels spin more freely when accelerating on sand or mud.
- The light appears without pressing the button, sometimes with the stability or ABS light.
- A message on the display saying the system is off.
Possible causes5
- The off button pressed on purpose or by accident.
- A sand or off-road drive mode selected that reduces intervention on some cars.
- A stuck or damaged off button.
- A sensor fault or a steering angle sensor needing calibration, so the system disables itself.
- An engine fault that disables the system on some cars.
How to diagnose5
- Press the system button once and check that the light goes out; see the owner's manual, as some cars need a long press.
- Restart the car, as many cars switch the system back on automatically.
- Check which drive mode is selected.
- If the light stays on or the stability or ABS light joins it, read the codes with a scan tool that supports the system.
- The workshop checks the button, its wiring and the sensors as the codes indicate.
How to fix5
- Switch the system back on with the button after leaving sand or mud.
- Return the drive mode to normal.
- Repair or replace a stuck button.
- Calibrate the steering angle sensor or repair the faulty sensor as the codes indicate.
- Clear the codes and confirm the light goes out and the system works again.
Repair cost
In Saudi riyals; the highlighted part is the expected range for this fault.
In the Saudi market: SAR 100–1,500 (≈ USD 27–400)
Our prices come from the Saudi market, converted at a fixed rate (SAR 3.75 per USD). Prices in your country may differ a lot, so we show the cost level.
If you switched it off yourself there is no cost; the range covers a stuck button, a calibration or a sensor when a fault turned the system off.
Prices are rough estimates for common cars at independent workshops and vary with the car and the source of the part.
Prices last updated: September 2026
Frequently asked questions
When is it useful to switch stability control off?
When getting unstuck from soft sand or mud, where the wheels need to spin a little to move. Switch it back on as soon as you are on firm ground.
Is it dangerous to drive with it off?
The car drives normally, but you lose skid protection, especially in fast turns and on wet or sandy roads, so keep it on for everyday driving.
The light came on without me pressing the button. Why?
The button may be stuck, or the system switched itself off because of a sensor or engine fault. Read the codes to find the cause.
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