Check Vehicle Stability Control System

Tiny
GORDON2
  • MEMBER
  • 2017 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 9,231 MILES
What causes “Check Vehicle Stability Control System” to display?

My 2017 Camry was in an accident. Immediately after the accident, the dash display indicated, “Check Vehicle Stability Control System”. The car returned home (less than 5 miles) and still had that indication. It remained parked, and after some internet searching it seemed worth checking for an OBD-II code. I did try to do that, but by the time I had the code reader connected the “Check Vehicle Stability Control System” appeared to clear itself before I even had a chance to read the code. Is that surprising?

Could the code have cleared simply by cycling the ignition key on and off a few times?

I’m anticipating that someone will suggest that I accidentally cleared the code, but I’ve used my code reader enough times to find that explanation rather unlikely, but possible.

Could the code have been set because of hard brake application in attempt to avoid the accident?
Sunday, May 5th, 2019 AT 12:44 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,878 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like one of the wheel speed sensors has gone out or is not connected. To find out which one here is a video to show you how to get the codes to see which one it is or if you have a different issue. Can I ask which part of the car got in the accident?

https://youtu.be/rTtAnsOlZU4

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Monday, May 6th, 2019 AT 4:15 PM
Tiny
GORDON2
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In the accident, the car was hit on the driver’s side front fender and wheel. A picture is attached.

I have also attached a picture of the indicator stating “Check Vehicle Stability Control System”.

Is the point of the video that I need a particular type of scanner, one that can read ABS codes or airbag codes?
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Monday, May 6th, 2019 AT 5:39 PM
Tiny
GORDON2
  • MEMBER
  • 65 POSTS
If I did actually reset the code, would driving the car for a short while cause it to be reset?
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Monday, May 6th, 2019 AT 8:23 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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The first thing I would do is remove the wheel and check the wheel speeds sensor to make sure it is connected. Here are two guides to help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/wheel-removal-and-re-installation

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
GORDON2
  • MEMBER
  • 65 POSTS
Thanks for the reply and for the links. An insurance claim will pay to have the car repaired. It is not yet in the shop, and I plan to report that I had the "Check Vehicle Stability Control System" indication. I am concerned that some problem may be hidden by the fact that the indication is no longer present on the dash, but at least I do have a picture of it.

After the car is repaired, I will look to see if the indication returns. I do appreciate the links and will keep that in mind after the repair is complete.
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Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 AT 5:31 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Sounds good, Please let us know what they find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Wednesday, May 8th, 2019 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
GORDON2
  • MEMBER
  • 65 POSTS
The car was taken to a Toyota dealer's body shop for repairs. The bumper cover, left head lamp, left front fender and a hubcap were replaced. The body shop sent the car to the dealer's mechanic shop.

From a mechanical standpoint, the front left wheel was replaced, re-using the existing tire which was balanced. The repair bill also indicates two parts that may be related to the "Check Vehicle Stability Control" indicator were replaced. I did a web search on the part numbers to determine that these were (1) Ball Joint - Toyota (43340-09170), and (2) #15 Control Arm - Toyota (48069-07050). The repair bill also indicates that an alignment was done.

I can see the new parts near the wheel by looking under the car from the front. One of the attached pictures shows those new parts, along with the new (3) Fender Liner - Toyota (53876-06200) and (4) Wheel, Steel - Toyota (42611-06B10). The shiny black painted metal distinguishes the new parts from the original which have some accumulated road dust on them.

The repair bill also indicates scanning before repair and scanning after repair, but does not report any findings.

The "Check Vehicle Stability Control System" warning is not present.
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Saturday, May 25th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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So the light is out? if so it could be the system needed to relearn, I would still feel better if we scanned the car.

https://youtu.be/rTtAnsOlZU4

Scanner are cheap on Amazon $52.00.00

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0176W045U/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=2carprcom-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0176W045U&linkId=e4854022cc894009ccce67b3402422c6

Please let us know what happens.
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Sunday, May 26th, 2019 AT 1:34 PM
Tiny
GORDON2
  • MEMBER
  • 65 POSTS
Thanks for the recommendation. I have already purchased a scan tool without doing sufficient research. My current scan tool does not support ABS. I would like to be careful with the next purchase, and would be willing to spend a bit more if I knew I was buying the right tool.

The $52.00 Amazon price for the OTC 3208 seems like a good deal and appropriate for OBD II and ABS, but how much more would it cost for a tool that did transmission and other codes? I also noticed that the video for the OTC tool said it supported, "ABS codes and definitions for most 1996-2013 GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai vehicles." The car in this case is a 2017 Camry. Did something change after 2013?
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Sunday, May 26th, 2019 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Not really, the manufacturers of the scan tools update their software a little behind the newer years coming out so you might need to wait before the cheaper scan tools are able to support he 2017's. You can try an auto parts store, they will do it for free and should have the capabilities to do so. Let me know what happens please.
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Tuesday, May 28th, 2019 AT 11:21 AM
Tiny
URDJ07
  • MEMBER
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I had the same issue and after a research on the internet, I could not find that much information, My car is a 2017 Toyota Camry LE, the light came on accompanied with rough idle also some transmission failure, when I opened the hood to check was going on, I immediately noticed that an air hose that come from the engine to the hose that connects the throttle body and the air intake box was disconnected, I put it back in but the light was still on, so I disconnected the battery terminals for 1 min to reset all codes, after reconnecting the battery terminals, the check engine light and warning message went away and the car was functioning perfectly as expected, later that day I serviced the throttle body and performed an idle re-learn, and the car is working very smooth. Check the attached images, I hope this helps more people.
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Wednesday, August 28th, 2019 AT 5:35 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Hi URDJ07,

Excellent addition to this thread! Please feel free to help out whenever you are on the site. :)

I have included a guide on the steps it takes to clean the throttle actuator.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.
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Thursday, August 29th, 2019 AT 9:52 AM

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