What are the reasons for the VSC light coming on in the Reiz?
3 Answers
The reasons for the VSC light coming on in the Reiz are: 1. The vehicle stability control system is turned off; 2. There is a fault in the vehicle stability control system. Taking the 2013 Reiz as an example, it belongs to the mid-size car category, with body dimensions of: length 4750mm, width 1795mm, height 1450mm, wheelbase of 2850mm, fuel tank capacity of 70 liters, and curb weight of 1520kg. The 2013 Reiz features a front suspension of double-wishbone type and a rear suspension of multi-link independent type. It is equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 193PS, maximum power of 142kW, maximum torque of 236Nm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
That day when I was driving my old Toyota Mark X on the highway, the VSC light suddenly came on. I immediately pulled over to check the tire pressure and brakes. After consulting a veteran technician at the 4S店, I learned that when this light comes on in a Mark X, it's mostly due to temperamental sensors—the wheel speed sensor getting clogged with mud is the most common issue, especially after driving on rough roads in the rain. If you've modified the brake calipers without resetting the system, or if the steering angle sensor gets knocked out of alignment, the car's computer might mistakenly detect skidding. Last time it happened to me, it was because the wiring harness of the left rear wheel sensor had been gnawed by a rat, causing a short circuit when it rained, which triggered the light. This problem really can't be delayed—when the light is on, both ABS and TRC stop working, and the wheels can lock up during emergency braking. My neighbor once rear-ended someone because of this. Now, every time I wash my car, I make sure the technician pays extra attention to cleaning the inside of the wheel hubs.
My 2007 Reiz has had the VSC light come on three times, each for a different reason. The first time was after changing tires without resetting the steering angle sensor—the steering wheel was straight but the car thought it was turning. The second time was even more ridiculous: the spare tire size differed too much from the factory tires, causing inconsistent wheel speeds that were interpreted as slipping. The most troublesome was the third time: a faulty mass airflow sensor caused abnormal fuel injection, making the ECU think there was a loss of power control, which triggered the VSC light. I recommend first checking if all four tires have even wear—a tire pressure difference exceeding 0.3 bar can cause false alerts. If the light suddenly comes on while driving accompanied by a heavier throttle response, it’s likely a wheel speed sensor issue. Using a diagnostic tool to read the fault codes is the most accurate approach.
