How to Reset the Traction Control Light in a Hyundai Elantra

Don’t let a lingering traction control light dampen your driving experience. Follow our quick guide on resetting the traction control light in a Hyundai Elantra. Put the control back in your hands and make sure your car is road-ready again.

1995 – 2010 & 2015 – 2023 Models

1. Find a safe and level spot to park your Elantra. Ensure the engine is turned off and the key is removed from the ignition.
2. Find the OBD-II port under the dashboard on the driver’s side.
3. Purchase or borrow an OBD-II scanner. Plug it into the OBD-II port until it clicks in place.
4. Turn on your car’s ignition without starting the engine. The scanner should power up automatically once connected to the OBD-II port.
5. Use the scanner’s menu to read the trouble codes. Look for the option to “Read Codes” or something similar. The scanner will communicate with your car’s computer and display any stored trouble codes.
6.  Look for the “Clear Codes” option in the scanner’s menu and select it. Confirm the action when prompted.
7. The scanner will delete your selected codes, and after a few seconds, it should display a message indicating that the codes have been cleared successfully.
8. Turn off the car’s ignition and remove the OBD-II scanner from the port.
9. Start the engine and take it for a spin. If everything goes well, the pesky traction control light should be gone!

2010 – 2015 Models

1. Insert the car key into the ignition and turn it to the “ON” position. Don’t start the engine; just turn the key until the dashboard lights up.
2. Look at the dashboard and find the “ESC OFF” button near the gear shift or below the climate controls.
3. Press and hold the “ESC OFF” button for 3-5 seconds. Keep an eye on the dashboard; you should see the traction control light blink.
4. While the light is still blinking, release the “ESC OFF” button.
5. Turn off the ignition completely. Take the key out and wait for a minute or two.
6. Put the key back into the ignition and turn it to the “ON” position again, but don’t start the engine.
7. Check if the traction control light is no longer blinking. If it’s gone, that means you’ve successfully reset it!

1990 – 1995 Models

1. Park your car and turn off the engine.
2. Locate the fuse box beneath the dashboard on the driver’s side.
3. Find the traction control fuse. The fuse box cover usually has a diagram or a list that tells you which fuse is for what. Look for a fuse labeled “TC, ” “TRAC,” or something similar.
4. Pull out the fuse but do this gently so you don’t damage the fuse or the fuse box.
5. Wait for 30 seconds before putting the fuse back in. This waiting time allows the car’s systems to reset completely.
6. Put the fuse back in. (If the fuse is damaged, you will need to replace it with a new one.)
7. Start your car and drive around the block; your reset is successful if the light remains off.