Everything You Need to Know About the “Check VSC” Light in a Lexus

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A guide to resetting the “Check VSC” message & light

Co-authored by Devin McSween Reviewed by Jason Shackelford

Last Updated: November 28, 2024 Fact Checked

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“Check VSC” Meaning

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Is it safe to drive?

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Resetting the VSC System

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Causes & Fixes

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VSC Light Meaning

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Video

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Tips

When the “Check VSC” message appears on your Lexus’ dashboard, it means that your car’s vehicle stability control (VSC) system is turned off. The VSC system prevents your car from skidding while driving in poor conditions, so it’s important to fix the issue and ensure this safety feature is turned on. We'll explain if your car is safe to drive with the “Check VSC” message on, how to reset it, and why it might have appeared. We’ll also tell you what it means when the VSC light turns on. Read on to learn more!

What does "Check VSC" mean?

If the "Check VSC" (vehicle stability control) light comes on, it means the VSC system is disabled or malfunctioning. Reset the system by pressing the VSC button (next to your steering wheel or gear selector) and holding it for 3 seconds. If the light comes back, take your car to a mechanic.

Section 1 of 5:

What does the “Check VSC” message mean on a Lexus?

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The “Check VSC” message means the VSC system is turned off. If you see the “Check VSC” message on your Lexus’ dashboard display, it means the vehicle stability control (VSC) system is currently disabled. The VSC system is a safety feature that keeps your car from skidding, like when you drive in slippery conditions, brake hard, or make sharp turns.^{[1]
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- The VSC system adjusts the engine output and applies the brakes to certain tires, helping your car gain traction and stay in control when you skid.
- The “Check VSC” message might come on because the VSC system is malfunctioning or other parts of your car are malfunctioning.
- In some Lexus models, the VSC system is a part of the car’s traction control system, which also activates when you experience skids or drive in slippery conditions. The traction control system reduces the spin of the tires to help your car grip the road.

Section 2 of 5:

Is it safe to drive with the “Check VSC” message on?

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Driving with the “Check VSC” message on does not harm your car, but it does mean the VSC system is disabled, leaving you unprotected if you skid. Bring your car directly to a mechanic so they can diagnose and fix the issue.^{[2]
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Section 3 of 5:

Ways to Reset the “Check VSC” Message

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Take your car to a Lexus dealership or mechanic. The best thing to do when the “Check VSC” message appears is to schedule an appointment with your Lexus dealership or local mechanic. A professional technician can diagnose and fix any issues related to the message.
- Taking your car to the dealership or a mechanic is a great option if you're unfamiliar with cars or feel uncomfortable working on them. The other solutions listed below require some comfort and ability to work on cars.
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Reset the VSC system to see if that fixes the issue. Your Lexus has a VSC button that controls the VSC system. Simply park your car and find the VSC button on the steering wheel or near the gear selector. Press and hold the button for 3 seconds to turn the system off. Then, press and hold it again to turn the system back on.^{[3]
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- The VSC button might have “VSC” printed on it or a car icon with wavy lines underneath it. If you can’t find the button, check your car’s owner’s manual.
- You might see “VSC Off” flash on the dashboard once the VSC system is turned off. When it turns back on, the dashboard might flash “VSC On.”
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Disconnect the battery for 10 minutes, then reconnect it. Turn your car all the way off and put on a pair of gloves. Then, open your car’s hood and find the negative terminal on the battery (which is usually labeled “-”). Loosen the nut with a socket wrench and pull the negative cable back from the battery. Simply wait 10 minutes and then tighten the negative cable back onto the negative terminal.^{[4]
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- Note: Disconnecting the battery can reset your car’s computer system and clear the “Check VSC” message. However, this is only a temporary solution, as it doesn’t fix any underlying issues.
- If the “Check VSC” message keeps coming back on, it likely means there’s an issue with the VSC system or parts it’s connected to.
- If your car was on, wait for the engine to cool down before disconnecting the battery.
- Warning: Always turn your car off before touching the battery. Keeping the car running can increase your risk of electrocution.
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Clear any error codes with an OBD-II scanner. Plug the scanner into your car’s OBD port, which is usually located on the dashboard under the steering wheel. Then, turn your car’s electricity on, but do not start the engine. Simply follow the prompts on the OBD-II scanner to check for codes and clear any related to the “Check VSC” message.^{[5]
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- OBD-II scanners read your car’s computer system and display codes that refer to problems with your car. Clearing the codes turns off any warning messages or lights related to the problem.
- Note: Clearing the error codes will not fix any problems related to the “Check VSC” message. So, the message might turn back on after you drive your car for a while.

Section 4 of 5:

Causes of the “Check VSC” Message & How to Fix Them

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VSC system failure The “Check VSC” message most commonly turns on due to problems with the VSC system itself. This can mean the system isn’t functioning properly or its parts are damaged.
- What to do: Take your car to a Lexus dealership or mechanic to repair the issue.
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Engine problems The check engine light often illuminates at the same time the “Check VSC” message appears. If the light stays on, this typically means a minor issue is affecting your engine. However, if it flashes on and off, it can indicate a more serious problem.^{[6]
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- What to do: Pull over and contact a tow company to take your car to a Lexus dealership or mechanic if the check engine light continues to flash.
  - If the light is static, slowly drive home and schedule an appointment with your Lexus dealership or mechanic. Or, diagnose the issue with an OBD-II scanner.
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Brake system problems The VSC system is connected to your car’s brake system, as the VSC system employs the brakes when you skid. If your brakes are worn or damaged, the “Check VSC” message might appear.
- What to do: Inspect your brake pads and check your brake fluid level. If the brake pads are worn or the fluid is low, take your car to a mechanic. Or, replace the brake pads and fill up on brake fluid yourself.
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Faulty ABS (anti-lock braking system) sensors The VSC system monitors your car’s ABS sensors (also called wheel speed sensors) to determine when you might be experiencing poor driving conditions. If the sensors are malfunctioning or damaged, the “Check VSC” message might turn on.^{[7]
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- What to do: Schedule an appointment with your Lexus dealership or mechanic. Or, clean the ABS sensors with compressed air and a microfiber towel.
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Malfunctioning steering angle sensor The VSC system also relies on the steering angle sensor to figure out the direction and angle that you’re steering, which helps stabilize your car when you skid. So, the “Check VSC” message often turns on when this sensor is faulty or damaged.^{[8]
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- What to do: Bring your car into your Lexus dealership or mechanic shop. Or, reset and recalibrate the steering angle sensor yourself.
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Damaged wiring The VSC system is connected to your car’s electrical wiring system, which it uses to monitor and receive messages from the different sensors. If any of the wires are damaged, the “Check VSC” message might appear.
- What to do: Open the hood of your car and check for any loose or damaged wires. Either take your car to your Lexus dealership or mechanic or fix the wiring yourself.

Section 5 of 5:

What does the VSC light mean on a Lexus?

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The VSC light means the VSC system is currently active. When you’re driving around and “VSC” illuminates on your dashboard display, this means the VSC system is engaged. The VSC light typically turns on when you’re driving in slippery conditions, brake suddenly, or take a sharp turn.
- On some cars, the VSC light looks like a car icon with wavy tire marks underneath it.
- The VSC light turns back off and the system deactivates when you’re no longer experiencing poor driving conditions.
- If the VSC light stays on consistently, it could indicate that the VSC system is malfunctioning.

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Tips

There are some cases when you might want to turn the VSC system off. For instance, if your car is stuck in mud and the VSC system is preventing you from getting unstuck, turning off the VSC system can help your tires get a better grip.

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