What does the VSA light mean?
2 Answers
VSA stands for Vehicle-Stability-Assist. It refers to the electronic stability control system. There are two scenarios for the VSA indicator light: 1. Normal operation: When the electronic stability control system is turned off, the VSA light will illuminate since the system is enabled by default with the light normally off. Most vehicles have a switch to manually deactivate the VSA light. 2. Malfunction: The VSA light may also indicate a fault in the electronic stability control system. The vehicle can still be driven in this case, but it's crucial to avoid sharp high-speed turns to prevent oversteering.
The other day, the VSA light on my Honda Accord suddenly came on, so I quickly pulled over to check the manual. This light indicates an issue with the Vehicle Stability Assist system, and it can illuminate in three scenarios: a flashing yellow light means the system is actively working, like when it automatically corrects your steering during tire slippage on snowy roads; a steady yellow light might mean you accidentally pressed the VSA OFF button on the center console—just press it again to turn it off; but if it's a steady red light, that's more serious, usually indicating a sensor or module failure, commonly due to a wheel speed sensor covered in mud or a faulty steering angle sensor. I’d recommend getting it checked ASAP. Last time my friend ignored the light, he nearly lost control on a turn.
